Give me something new

MANILA, Philippines - They’re called the New Breed, 10 directors with nine original stories to tell. This group competing in the full-length category in this year’s Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival is a mix of newbies and not-so-newbies (filmmakers who have directed less than three movies) from all over the country. Well, sort of. There are no Visayan entries this year, but the two films from Mindanao are a good start.

Gutierrez “Teng” Mangansakan II’s Limbunan unveils the hidden world of a 17-year-old bride, Ayesah, right before her arranged marriage to a man she barely knows. The story delves deep into the Maguindanaoan practice of limbunan as the focus goes in and out of the lives of the women involved. It can be passed off as a women’s film, a fact that Direk Teng acknowledges, having grown up in the company of his female relatives.

Another one coming from Mindanao is Sheron “Ron” Dayoc’s Halaw, an entry that almost dropped out of the competition. With most of the budget already spent after two days of shooting, Direk Ron was ready to call it quits. “But the organizing committee encouraged me to continue so we re-shot everything,” he said. Halaw narrates the journey of a Badjao father and daughter embarking on an illegal crossing from Jolo to Sabah.

National Flower

No stranger to Cinemalaya is Francis Xavier Pasion whose 2008 entry, Jay, garnered merits in the international film circuit. He returns this year with a completely different movie centered on our national flower, the sampaguita. “The concept started in 2004,” Francis recalls, “I was thinking of a topic for my first screenplay when a child came to me and asked if I could buy his last garland. I asked him where they came from and my journey started there.”

Also returning to Cinemalaya is Dennis Marasigan with his timely film about elections, Vox Populi. Unlike his previous projects Sa North Diversion Road and Tukso — both adaptations of literary works — Vox Populi is Direk Dennis’ first original story. It is based on his experiences as an aide for a female candidate. The movie stars his wife, Irma Adlawan, who plays mayoral candidate Connie De Gracia as she goes through her hectic final campaign day.

Though Danny Añonuevo has been working in film for several years as an editor, he was never given the opportunity to call the shots behind the camera. That is, until now. For his directorial debut in Rekrut, he went all out despite the time constraints and tight budget to tell the story of two friends — one Muslim and one Christian — who belong to an elite group of military recruits trained for a special mission. 

Binondo Film

Mayohan, a coming-of-age love story set in Quezon during the Mayohan festival, is the product of partners Paul Sta. Ana and Dan Villegas, who previously met each other on the set of Project Runway Philippines. Paul recalls, “During break time, Dan pitched Mayohan to me. With its religious roots and patriarchal character, I found it very interesting.” Giving life to Direk Paul and Dan’s characters are Lovi Poe and Pepot Artista star, Elijah Castillo.

Novice director Ian-Dean Loreños dabbled into animation, graphic design, and even baking before finally submitting his four-year-old screenplay to Cinemalaya. His first feature, The Leaving, is a triptych of tales that unfold in Chinatown. “Filmmaking should have a personal touch. I’m Filipino-Chinese so I wrote about our community.” Those who’ve had enough of Mano Po and its many sequels can breathe easy; Direk Ian promises that his movie about parting ways is nothing like the franchise.

Kim Homer Garcia’s Magkakapatid also has three subplots inspired by an unusual murder case of a brother killing his brother over food. Direk Kim shares, “I’m a type of writer who likes to observe and write about actual events.” When he heard the news, he immediately went to Batangas to investigate and learned that a wedding and a funeral were also held on the same day. This fueled him to write a similar story about a family in the midst of a tragedy.

Directors’ Showcase

Rounding up the nine competition films is Art Katipunan’s comedy titled Si Techie, Si Teknoboy, at Si JuanaB. Loosely based on the experiences of several friends, Direk Art made a movie which he hopes will give insights on Pinoy cyber culture — the world of online sex, digital weddings, and PSP addiction — with a light and funny twist. “I don’t like heavy movies. I just want people to laugh and hopefully get something from it.”

Aside from the nine New Breed full-length films, Cinemalaya has introduced a Directors’ Showcase category, featuring veteran directors Mario O’ Hara (Ang Paglilitis ni Bonifacio) Mark Meily (Donor), Joselito “Jay” Altarejos (Pink Halo-Halo), Joel Lamangan (Sigwa) and Gil Portes (Two Funerals). The festival also has 10 short films in competition. It’s a packed Cinemalaya this year so save the dates as they screen the films from July 9-18 at the CCP!