MANILA, Philippines — OFFENDED BY HORTICULTURIST: At a roundtable interview recently, a young, hunky actor was asked what role he was playing in the new movie that was the subject of that afternoon’s interview.
The actor, who’s being built up by his studio as someone with a sexy image, said his role was that of a caretaker of plants, something like a farmer. Clearly, it was a role written to allow half-nude scenes that have been part and parcel of the boy’s career.
“Then, you’re playing a horticulturist,” a veteran columnist replied.
“Ang bastos mo naman,” the actor snapped back, seemingly offended by the spitfire columnist’s remark.
Those of us in the roundtable looked at each other, perplexed by the actor’s reaction. He probably thought horticulturist was a bad word, insulting to his sexy image.
It was a good thing he wasn’t on Twitter when he said that.
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THE ROAD TO THE WORLD: Breaking new ground in the international scene is the Yam Laranas movie, “The Road,” which recently closed a distribution deal with the Los Angeles-based Freestyle Releasing company.
The horror film is believed to be the first all-Filipino film to be released in commercial theaters – as distinguished from art houses – across North America and Canada for an entire week in May.
While Laranas is not at liberty to disclose how much the distribution deal is worth, he pointed out during an interview Feb. 22 that the theatrical release of a Filipino film in that part of the world is a landmark of sorts.
Scheduled for release starting on the week of May 11, “The Road,” featuring an all-star cast led by Marvin Agustin, Rhian Ramos and TJ Trinidad, will be shown in at least 50 theaters. It will be preceded by a red-carpet gala premiere at the Mann Chinese Theater in Los Angeles on May 9.
Annette Gozon-Abrogar, head of GMA Films which produced the motion picture, cleared the release is not merely a special, off-shore screening of a locally produced film.
“This is, in fact, a full-fledged distribution deal. There’s a big difference between the two,” she said.
Aside from the widespread theatrical release, the deal also includes the video release of the film in various platforms.
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ORIGINAL VERSION: Laranas said “The Road” will be shown in its entirety in the original version in which it was seen in the Philippines.
The film will not be translated into English but will be subtitled. The groundbreaking director said Freestyle’s Mark Borde wanted to preserve the exotic quality of the film described by international film critics as “creepy to the extreme” (KillerFilm.com). Borde said he picked the film for international release as he found something “new” in it.
Another film site, Bloody Disgusting, said the film was “a beautifully shot supernatural tale with incredible effects and great scares.”
“The Road” is the story of a 12-year-old case of a missing person, recently reopened when three teenagers went missing while traversing an abandoned road.
More wonderful opportunities are opening up for “The Road.” It has been listed in the official competition category of the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFF) scheduled on April 5 to 7. BIFF is one of the biggest genre festivals in Europe. Created in 1983 as a venue for horror, thriller and science-fiction films, it takes place every year in March in Brussels.
The international films “Saw” and “The Ring” are among some of its previous winners.
Laranas adds that “The Road” is also in competition at the 8th Fantaspoa-Int’l Fantastic Film Festival of Porto Alegre, Brazil from May 4 to 20.
article source: mb.com.ph
