The Movie In My Mind Now Showing

WATCH OUR SCREENING AT UP CINE ADARNA ON JULY 31, 2008 7PM:-)

CCP July 13, 2008 Sigh. We were nervous about Sunday at the CCP wherein we had our premiere and our gala one after another (6:30 and 9pm respectively).But as I herded in the latecomers into the main theater and walked into an almost full venue, I felt so joyous that once again I have proved that making this film is anything but isolating. Watching it there was akin to a gargantuan intake of fresh air. I probably felt this way because when you are so tired undergoing the filmmaking process, you take lots of things for granted and it diminishes your perspective of blessings. We walked in the midst of people with smiling faces and generous greetings, wow. I’m very proud of my cast and crew, and all the people outside this group who supported us. Thanks to those who wrote and spoke about the promise of this film. This afternoon, typhoon Helen almost blew me off of my tracks on the way to our CCP screening, but thanks to people who are stubborn, the venue was full. My cellphone inbox is filled with notes of congratulations and celebration, though I am almost out of load from inviting people to watch. Thank you for making this all worthwhile ned, mailes, jonathan, tracy, cherry mae, martin, miro, yam, jke, jay, billy, alf, …… there are no words to match what I have in my heart and all of you have a space therein:-)

IN CASE YOU’RE WONDERING, MY FAKE AMERICAN ACCENT WILL BE OUT THIS JULY 13-20 AT THE CCP

 

MY FAKE AMERICAN ACCENT SCREENING SCHEDULE

13 July/Sun, 9:00PM (GALA), Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

13 July/Sun, 6:15PM, Bulwangang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

15 July/Tue, 3:30PM, Bulwangang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

18 July/Fri, 3:30PM, Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

18 July/Fri, 6:15PM, Tanghalang Huseng Batute

20 July/Sun, 12:45PM, Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

Eat My English

We are grateful for Mr. Romeo Bernal’s graciousness and the staff’s at Eat My English near Metrowalk in Ortigas recently. This awesome discovery of a place is a fitting shindig for the shoot of My Fake American Accent. It’s like the twin resto of this movie, just look at its graphic interiors. It’s open 24 hours, of course, for the call center agents and families and friends as well. The food was great, we consumed the food props faster than we can shoot the scenes. Did I mention the cool, tall beer tower? 

My thoughts as I do my indie

Dependently independent. These words are iconoclastic. These words also have no appeal to most indie filmmakers. I am a Filipino filmmaker, my contribution to the Filipino industry this year is to produce My Fake American Accent, dependent on the seed grant from the Cinemalaya.

Fact: in 2005, Ned Trespeces and myself screened our first full length indie “Trabaho”, completely produced out of our own meager resources. I’ve already done it that way. Now, we’re going to do it like most people since 2004 have been doing it, dependently indie. 

It’s still liberating (and I’m not just speaking to the purist indie filmmakers in Pinas) to be able to make manifest these ideas in a context such as this one. For me, independence is a huge umbrella of possibilities. And walls of indifference and statutes of limitations have been broken down in the name of independence. But just because I feel I can fly with these ideas doesn’t make the movie a whole, it doesn’t quite finish the process. I’ve to be grounded and waking up to realities in the process certainly grounds me. I admit, writing this, I feel like being in the vortex of whirling ideas and relationships forged with companies to be able to birth My Fake American Accent. It’s not like My Fake is the sun with planets orbiting around it. Quite far from that, it’s more like there are varied degrees of affinities whorling around to put out My Fake American Accent. I’m very open to energies inputed by many and I’m focused on coming out with the basic idea I began with late in 2007. It will all boil down to that basic idea, in the end. Today, it looks like a long ride, it does. But I’m learning to do this another way.

To clarify,  I’m not ringing up just anybody to aid us here. There’s just a core of people whom I can rely on to lend their energies to this process. And I believe in attracting forces that can do the project good rather than dissipate its chances of becoming manifest. These are people who, as the meetings prosper, I realize I needed to meet. People I get to finally meet for an important input. That’s comforting. That I’m not isolated. I know now that the indie way of filmmaking does not encourage isolation or exclusivity. But as I’m having to be open to be able to experience this, I guess not many indie filmmakers are familiar with this experience. But I’m pretty sure even those that have their personal bulging finances live in this Third World country of ours to know that indie filmmaking costs hefty money. 

There are many paths. Before, I thought of finishing a short film of my own and looking up two other female filmmakers who could do their respective short films for the three of us to come up with a menage a trois compilation. That’s in the backburner because, our resources are scant and we will not resort to prostitution just to get this done. And my point is, there are many paths as there are many many stories to tell. I’ve always believed that a good story is the point in making independent films.   

  

Gratitude

It is time to thank Nike Philippines Inc. for the High Dunk rubber shoes you shall be seeing in the movie My Fake American Accent.  Thank you very very very much.

Thanks to Ritefield office and Marc for the “view”.

Thanks to C & E Publications for the brand new site in which we shot. Thank you , Sir Max and to our dear Job.

Thanks to PMAP and to our stage Mommy Vilma. 

It’s 2008, for real!

My Fake American Accent was the first thing I thought of as 2007 morphed into 2008. Getting to film this screenplay was the major idea I had since August last year, and it’s amazing when an idea nags at you way into the new year. It’s especially surreal getting the nod of the Cinemalaya to film it for this year’s festival after going through the “realitytv-ish” process. Well, I make it part of my resolution to blog more this year, hopefully it won’t be sideswiped by the filming.  And well if it does, I’ve attached a link to Ned’s blog dedicated to the movie. But I’ll bet I’ll be more talk-blog-ative than that link so there, you’ll get more for the price of one if you click on this blog. I had a blast in 2007, in part due to stalking my faves Quentin Tarantino (QT, many of the Pinoys opt to refer to him. And we did notice he wore our, or rather his, barong tagalog very appropriately in December while announcing the Golden Globe nominees for this year!) and Neil Gaiman. And I expect to have a blastier 2008, as I learn more, as I showcase more of the Filipino experience, as I tread my road to self expression and realization, taking pictures (oh, I’ll display my oil painting here soon), and talking pictures. You can count on it.

Neil Gaiman and Son in Pinas

This photo of Neil Gaiman and Mike, was taken last November 25, 2007 at the Fully Booked, The Fort by the author

Master storyteller Neil Gaiman is really a blast to stalk around, come hell(a fire broke out 2 houses away from ours last night) or high water (a supertyphoon is taking its sweet brutal time getting to the Philippines). He returned! To award the winners of the graphic novel awards, putting up a cool cash prize himself to give us a kick. St. Neil wanted to jumpstart the mass production of graphic novels with the Filipino flair. His magnanimity and his criticism for everyone who joined has sparked my interest to participate next year. But I tried to listen to the message of St. Neil beyond the wall of sound he stirred among the crowd. He challenged everyone to bring it up a notch, not finding ayone fit enough for the first place in the comicbook division, they only awarded a first place in the prose div. He was also, he said, wondering why the Filipinos of the new generation, despite the talent, haven’t really reached out to the world. Well, we thank him for noticing so that we can actually get a move on it. Perhaps he wasn’t oriented about the lack of a real interest in the publication of novels in our country. Here, it’s still TV, and maybe as a result, we have projects on TV and movie animation being done in the islands and yet, nothing really massive on the literary front. Most of all, we adore him for establishing a new category for next year, the short film. He may not know it, we may not realize it, his brief visit has done so much good, inspiring us writers to believe in the uniqueness of the Philippine experience. St. Neil’s waiting, we certainly hope the world is ready also.

Thanks for the comments-Dirty Kitchen People

IMDb users comments:

An excellent Filipino film!, 22 July 2005
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Author: cbundoc from Canada

“Jologs” has got to be my favorite Filipino movie ever (next to “Anak”) the way the stories come together in the end is perfect, intense and amazing! Most Filipino films out there are extremely cheesy and lack any kind of substance but this movie is not in any of those categories. The different segments are funny, sad and touching. The events that take place in the segments are insane! You never know what’s going to happen next! The young cast is brilliant and shows just how much talent they have by bringing this film to life. I love the way it shows that people are connected (and we really are). You actions affect the next person’s day, life etc.

“Jologs” reminded me more of Magnolia than Pulp Fiction but anyways, I own this on VCD and is one of those rare Filipino movies that I would recommend to any Filipino out there.

P.S. I want to remake this into a North American film!

A surprisingly great Filipino movie, 23 January 2005
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Author: eraz0rhead from Los Angeles, CA

I rarely watch Filipino movies nowadays because they’re usually predictable and pretty much follow the same formulas for a particular genre. When I do sit down to watch one, it’s usually so I can laugh at how bad it is and so I can annoy the other people watching by telling what’s going to happen next – like I said, Filipino movies are predictable.

Anyway, I was surprised by Jologs. I didn’t expect much from it given the title. But as the story (or stories) developed, I was just completely hooked. Although the style was obviously Pulp Fiction-influenced, the actually story itself was different and very good on its own right. Wow, hardly any stupid, corny out-of-place jokes that they milk to death and spend a great deal of time explaining why its funny in case the viewer didn’t get it.

Acting was great too – I’ve always felt that there are a lot of good Filipino actors but the movies they make just plain suck. I’m proud to recommend this movie to anyone.

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pretty good, 4 August 2003
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Author: strawberrycheesecake from phil

i was completely surprised about my reaction to this film. i thought it would really be “jologs” but it wasn’t at all. it’s cool the way it makes you realize that hey, it really IS a small world and in one way or another, there are connections between you and that guy peeing by the wall, you know what i’m saying? plus, the actors here whom i usually don’t like (assunta de rossi to name one) were really good here. i also thought it was funny the way there were dozens of cameos in this movie. this is one movie you’d watch over and over and never get bored.

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Great film!, 10 February 2003
Author: alijuly1st from Long Beach, CA, USA

I really liked this film. This is one Filipino film that is truly imaginative, witty and best of all fun. I commend the screenwriter for his wonderful script and the director which remained true to the screenwriters vision. This just shows that even a simple story can be made into an interesting one with the proper treatment, directing style and outstanding script. Jologs is surely at par or even better with other Hollywood films. The acting is controlled, the cinematography is majestic, the story structure is solid, the music is just right and it has one of the most memorable climax ever. Surely, this movie just blows you away!

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a rare Filipino film!, 28 January 2003
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Author: Angela L from manila, philippines

I don’t watch a lot of Filipino comedy. One reason is they’re all the same! “Slapstick” actions then the infamous sing-and-dance number in some resort or beach. The typical Filipino movie. Some are even stupid!

But Jologs is a surprisingly different one! Backed up with a stellar cast (including a really funny Assunta de Rossi) and a great script/story this is my FAVORITE Filipino movie. It’s different, funny and dramatic… all at the right times! The story is all about how small this world is! Several scenes are repeated, and pretty soon you don’t have to be a detective to figure out the whole story line and how all characters play an important role in each others life. Similar to Pulp Fiction, but with Filipino edge.

This movie could have a lot of imdb goofs with continuity and all, but this is a good movie. And you wouldn’t care less. Great soundtrack, great movie.

Serendipity

I almost forgot to write about my awesome awe-shucks moment not long back. September 9, 2007. I was conducting an interview with Dr. Sid Sia at the UP Med School and then after I finished dishing out the questions to the good man, he mentioned his passion was watching films. He preferred Filipino films over Western movies and was a fan of Bernal and Jeturian. Then he mentioned watching a film, Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong at the SM Manila Cinema sometime in 2005. I paused and then went on to pop  the question, what else did you see during that time at the SM Manila. He mentioned Ping Medina, but that year was a bumpercrop year for Ping, aside from Trabaho, he was also in Tuli during that Cinemanila run. Then Dr. Sia described the scene wherein Ping spewed out a chunk of bagnet. Okay that made me really excited and confirmed my suspicion that he was among the moviegoers who took pity on our humble film, entered the cinema at their own risk and made it possible to be shown on an extended run at SM. I thanked him and introduced myself for the second time that afternoon to him.  I said we made “Trabaho”. I’m  grateful to the universe for the encounter.  I’ve seen our movie a bazillion times, but it leaves me in awe when people  who’ve seen it  provide  their feedback. It’s like, they’re describing this movie and at first you think it’s a film you’re merely vaguely recalling and then you remember that you put it out there, you were responsible for this discussion unfolding. Believe it or not, it still feels bizarre when it happens. Thank you Dr. Sia for giving us a chance. Thanks to the rest of you too. We are always grateful.

Cinemalaya screens Trabaho at the CCP

TRABAHO by Ned Trespeces
22 Jul/Sun 09:00 PM Venue 3 – CCP Dream Theatre / Tanghalang Manuel Conde
26 Jul/Thu 10:00 AM Venue 5 – CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute

TULAD NG DATI by Michael Sandejas (featuring the Dawn and guest band Stonefree!)
22 Jul/Sun 03:30 PM Venue 4 – CCP MKP Hall / Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining
26 Jul/Thu 03:30 PM Venue 6 – CCP Silangan Hall
 

ENDO by Jade Castro
21 Jul/Sat 09:00 PM Venue 5 – CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute
22 Jul/Sun 03:30 PM Venue 1 – CCP Main Theatre / Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo
24 Jul/Tue 06:15 PM Venue 4 – CCP MKP Hall / Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining
25 Jul/Wed 09:00 PM Venue 1 – CCP Main Theatre / Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo
26 Jul/Thu 12:45 PM Venue 2 – CCP Little Theatre / Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
27 Jul/Fri 12:45 PM Venue 1 – CCP Main Theatre / Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo
28 Jul/Sat 09:00 PM Venue 2 – CCP Little Theatre / Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino

See you at the CCP for this much awaited film festival.