Opening today in SM theaters (Manila, Fairview and Marikina) and soon, SM Cebu, Iloilo, Baguio, Davao and Batangas, is Pinta*Kasi, Best Picture winner in the New Wave-Independent Section of the recent Metro Filmfest, described by its producer, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos (with Nelson Caliguia), as a “hip-hop fairy-tale movie” which is not, contrary to what its title implies, about cockfighting but about painting and, that’s it, hip-hop.
Here’s Imee to enlighten us about her first project in years, after the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines which she headed during the Martial Law that produced such classics as Himala and Oro, Plata, Mata:
Why did it take you so long to release the movie?
“We started the project in 2009 and the animation took so long that I have forgotten all about it. At that time, the movie’s young cast (among them Erich Gonzales, John Wayne Sase, Alwyn Uytingco and JM de Guzman) were unknown pa. Now, sikat na sila. I got them on the basis of their similarity to the drawings of the characters.”
So why is it titled Pinta*Kasi if it’s not about cockfighting?
“Two reasons. One, it’s a story about sabungan, not of cocks, but of two gangs….sa pula ‘yung bad guys and sa puti ‘yung good guys. Two, pinta kasi because it’s also about a pintor…nagpipinta. The story idea was mine, vaguely taken out of the revolutionary heroes, specifically Dr. Jose Rizal, that’s why the character is called Dr. J who can see another world even if he and his family are in the midst of poverty in Isla Pulo.”
After the Metro Filmfest, where’s Pinta*Kasi going?
“Well, we’re glad that the movie has gone mainstream. We’re also showing it at the Honolulu Film Festival because there’s a lively hip-hop community there, and at the Beijing Film Festival. Those two are by invitation. We’ll probably join other international festivals.”
And you’re coming out with Pinta*Kasi spin-offs?
“We’ve decided to go multi-platform. My son Borgy (Manotoc) is in-charge of that. The graphic novel version is coming out shortly. We now have the CD and the MTV. Soon, maglalabas din kami ng games. Mayroon ding T-shirts and other merchandise. Pinta*Kasi is growing; may sarili siyang buhay kahit hindi napro-promote nang husto.”
What’s your next project?
“We’re currently working on The Lam-ang Experiment, which is a graphic novel based on the Filipino epic Biag ni Lam-ang. It comes in three volumes, with the first one already out in the market and the last two nearing completion. It currently has a motion graphic online, actually a trailer which you could check on the novel’s social networking site Facebook fan page. The team behind Lam-ang is aiming for its electronic release and it could be accessed through e-book.”
What’s up?
• As a rejoinder to his report yesterday, Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas texted an additional list of Bb. Pilipinas beauties who have joined showbiz, namely: Elvira Gonzalez, Edna Rosanna Keyes, Nina Zaldua (1964 finalist), Sehba Mulok (1965 second runner-up), Tet Antiquiera (1975 semi-finalist), Anna Lorraine Kier (1977 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe), Bambi Arambulo (1977 Bb. Pilipinas-Maja), Liza Lorena (1966 first runner-up), Tina Artillaga (1968 third runner-up), Aurora Pijuan (1970 Bb. Pilipinas-International/Miss International), Cita Avevilla (1970 Bb. Young-Pilipinas), Imelda Pagaspas (1970 first runner-up), Polly Penson ((1972 second runner-up), Azenith Briones (1976 semi-finalist), Dang Cecilio (1979 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe), Marina Benipayo (1992 Bb. Pilipinas-World), Jennette Fernando (1993 Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism), Daisy Reyes (1996 Bb. Pilipinas-World), Alma Concepcion (1994 Bb. Pilipinas-International), Kristine Florendo (1997 Bb. Pilipinas-World), Carlene Aguilar (2006 Bb. Pilipinas-World), Janina San Miguel (resigned, 2007 Bb. Pilipinas-World), the late Chat Silayan (Bb. Pilipinas-Universe), Alice Dixson (Bb. Pilipinas-International), and Tetchie Agbayani and Dinah Dominguez (both 1978 semi-finalists). Incidentally, Cynthia Ugalde, Josephine Estrada and Lalaine Bennett were Misses Philippines, not Binibinis.
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit http://www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on http://www.twitter/therealrickylo.) - FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo
