Primetime superstar Coco Martin said it is an honor to be included in “Apag” (“The Feast”), an entry in the Summer Metro Manila Film Festival.
The “Batang Quiapo” actor and director said he is not the original choice for the role in the drama film, but he is proud to be directed by his mentor, Brillante Mendoza, who was his director in his first film, “Masahista” (2005), eighteen years ago.
“Lumaki ako sa kanya,” recalled Coco, referring to the internationally acclaimed filmmaker in a behind-the-scenes interview during the filming of “Apag.”
“Nagsimula sya sa ‘Masahista,’ first movie nya, ‘yun din ang first movie ko. Nung talagang kasagsagan nang paggawa nya ng indie films nung araw, talagang magkasama kami. Hanggang sa dumating ‘yung point na napunta na ako sa TV, sa mainstream, syempre naiba na ako ng direction, siya nag dire-diretso pa rin sa indie.
‘Set against the beautiful countryside of Pampanga, it has heapings of dramatic moments, a sprinkling of mystery, and a hint of suspense.’
Sen. LITO LAPID and COCO MARTIN
“Aka habang nanonood, nababalitaan ko ang mga projects nya, syempre nami-miss ko. Nung in-offer nya kung tatanggapin ko itong project, hindi ko alam kung ano ang role ko, hindi ko alam kung ano ang kwento ng pelikula. Ganun kasimple. Basta tumalon ako dito, pikitmata, pumunta akong location nang hindi ko alam ‘yung project na [gagawin] ko, basta tiwala ako kay Direk Dante ganun kataas.”
“Apag” is a family drama set in Pampanga starring actors with Kapampangan roots – Senator Lito Lapid, Mercedes Cabral, Gladys Reyes, and Cannes-winning actress Jaclyn Jose.
During last Tuesday’s special screening sponsored by SM Cinemas and with Millie Dizon of SM as event partner, the press people marveled at the dramatic visual feast presented by Direk Brillante.
“Apag” has the “Tatak Brillante Mendoza.” Set against the beautiful countryside of Pampanga, it has heapings of dramatic moments, a sprinkling of mystery, and a hint of suspense.
This MMFF filmfest’s Parade of Stars will happen on April 2, 4 p.m. starting from Villa Beatriz on Commonwealth Ave. going to QC Memorial Circle.
***
In “Unravel,” MavX Productions’ entry to the Summer MMFF, the majestic beauty of Switzerland was matched by the physical gorgeousness of its stars, Kylie Padilla and Gerald Anderson, and the quiet intensity of their acting.
Directed by RC Delos Reyes, “Unravel” deals with the sensitive topics of mental health and suicide.
It starts with Lucy (Kylie), a hugely successful CEO who is clinically depressed and separated from her husband. She travels to Switzerland to get enlisted for voluntary assisted death. There, she meets Noah (Gerald), whose personal mission turns out to be encouraging people to choose to live.
GERALD ANDERSON and KYLIE PADILLA
Their journey brings out not just the beauty of Switzerland, but also the beauty of life, which Noah hopes for Lucy to see.
“Unravel” is a touching, deeply moving movie. It talks about life as much as it talks about dying.
The movie is also a fulfillment of a promise. It is lovingly dedicated to the late writer Jake Tordesillas, who was the mentor of the movie’s award-winning screenwriter Senedy Que.
At the special screening of “Unravel” last Wednesday at Vertis North, Senedy opened up about losing loved ones to depression and had mentioned Jake saying that he hoped someday someone would write about it.
