“DEEP GOLD” GOES UNDERWATER IN PHILS.

Joel Torre in Deep Gold

Hollywood’s underwater moviemaking technology streams with Philippines’ best locale in the upcoming actioneer “Deep Gold” from Bigfoot Entertainment starring international  actresses Bebe Pham and Jaymee Ong.  Joining them is Phils.’ Joel Torre in a very notable role.

            Written and directed by Michael Gleissner, who’s also known for his award-winning work in “Irreversi,”  “Deep Gold” is filmed entirely in the scenic islands of Cebu and Palawan where a champion free-diver Amy (Pham) and her sister Jess (Ong) are entrapped in a web of lies on the disappearance of a government plane carrying a fortune in gold.  Amy then gets involved in a web of lies and deceit as she seeks the truth on the disappearance of his boyfriend along with the fortune. 

            “Deep Gold” features eye-popping 3D action sequences, including spectacular underwater footage using the shooting tank located at Bigfoot facilities in Cebu.  Gleissner together with Rick Robinson, the film’s director of photography and an Emmy Award winner leads us deep into the bottom of filming the movie under Philippine waters.

            Working on a quality 3D film, Gleissner shares – “The Phillippines provided spectacular locations and was the ideal place to set the movie in, given the story. Filming on a tropical location that does not have a Hollywood-style film industry has some challenges.  For example, we totally underestimated how much time it takes to shoot on boats, as the setup of equipment and lights are a lot more complicated.”

            Robinson, on the other hand shares that this is his first time shooting underwater. “I am primarily concerned with lighting and underwater lighting, it reflects light differently than shooting on land, especially when it comes to water clarity. The complex process that is underwater filming required more than acute understanding of lighting.  To achieve this for “Deep Gold,” Bigfoot had to train the crew, mostly Filipinos to make these spectacular underwater scenes come to fruition.  The local Filipino crew underwent training to work with the underwater shooting because it requires specific knowledge that cannot be received anywhere else in the country,” shares Robinson.

            Although originally shot in 2D, Gleissner’s decision to convert the film into stereoscopic 3D is due to deeper engagement experience 3D brings to the audience.  “Using 3D allows the audience to feel as though they are part of the action – turning them into participants instead of spectators.  Now that 3D films are becoming mainstream, Gleissner predicts that within a few years it will become the norm to film in 3D.  “With the cost of converting a film from 2D to 3D going down and the quality of conversion going up, a lot more independent films are able to utilize this.  3D makes films more competitive within the marketplace,” Gleissner concludes.

“Deep Gold’ opens in Phil. cinemas on August 31 from Bigfoot Entertainment.

About Bigfoot Entertainment

Founded in 2004, Bigfoot Entertainment is an international entertainment company producing independent films for the global marketplace.  The company finances and develops feature films, documentaries and reality TV shows, many of which have received industry accolades, festival awards and have been distributed throughout the world.  Featuring both well-established and up-and-coming American and international talent, Bigfoot releases have shot on location worldwide including the United States, Hong Kong, China, Africa, Europe and Vietnam.  Bigfoot Entertainment produces many of its projects at Bigfoot Studios, a wholly-owned subsidiary that encompasses six sound stages and on-site state-of-the-art-post-production facilities.

Headquartered in Los Angeles with studios in Cebu, Philippines, Bigfoot Entertainment creates content reflecting a Hollywood foundation with a global perspective.  For more information, visit www.bigfoot.com.

ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK TOPS CINEMALAYA 2011; EUGENE DOMINGO WINS BEST ACTRESS

ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK was named the Best Film with its lead star Eugene Domingo winning the Best Actress award and Best Direction award for Marlon Rivera in the New Breed Full Length Feature Category of the 7th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank also won Best Screenplay (Chris Martinez) and the Audience Choice Award for the New Breed category.  

This was announced in the Cinemalaya Awards Night held on July 24, 2011 at the CCP Main Theater. 

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank was cited by jurors for its being “a reflexive film that looks with a lot of bite at itself” while Eugene Domingo was cited “for her expert handling of a multi-faceted character, always with tongue-in-cheek attitude.” 

Bisperas by Jeffrey Jeturian won Best Film in the Directors Showcase while Walang Katapusang Kwarto by Emerson Reyes won Best Film in the Short Feature category. 

The Best Direction award went to Auraeus Solito for Busong in the Directors Showcase category and to Rommel “Milo” Tolentino for Niño Bonito in the Short Feature category.

Special Jury Prize went to Niño by Loy Arcenas in the New Breed category and to Hanapbuhay by Henry Frejas in the Short Feature category. 

Niño was awarded the Special Jury Prize for the New Breed category for its being “a familiar story of decline and redemption, of secrets revealed and hope rekindled, done well with a lot of heart.” Hanapbuhay, which won the Special Jury Prize for the Short Feature category, was cited “for its humorous treatment of an essentially good provider trying to make an unusual living.” 

No Special Jury Prize was awarded in the Directors Showcase category. 

In the New Breed Full Length Feature category, Edgar Allan Guzman won the award for Best Performance of an Actor in the New Breed category for his role as Intoy in Ligo na U, Lapit na Me; Shamaine Buencamino and Art Acuña won the awards for Best Supporting Actress and Actor for their roles in Niño. Amok won Best Editing (Lawrence Fajardo) and Best Sound (Mike Idioma). Niño won Best Production Design (Laida Lim) and Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa won Best Original Music Score (Christine Muyco and Jema Pamintuan) and Best Cinematography (Arvin Viola). 

In the Short Feature category, Best Film winner Walang Katapusang Kwarto by Emerson Reyes won also the awards for Best Screenplay for “its clever and funny conversation that reveals character and place with a revealing twist” and the Audience Choice.

Directors Showcase Best Film Bisperas scooped up a total of five awards. Raquel Villavicencio won Best Performance by an Actress for her role as the beleaguered mother. Bisperas also was given the awards for Best Cinematography (Roberto Yñiguez), Best Performance of a Supporting Actress (Julia Clarete) and Best Production Design (Rodrigo Ricio). 

Auraeus Solito’s Busong won awards for Best Sound and Best Original Music Score (Diwa de Leon). 

Rafael “Bembol” Roco won the Best Actor Award for his performance in Adolfo Alix’ Isda in the Directors Showcase category. Isda was also given the award for Best Editing (Benjamin Tolentino). 

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in the Directors Showcase category went to Jaime Pebanco for his role in Patikul by Joel Lamangan. Patikul was also awarded the Audience Choice award in the Directors Showcase category and a special Cinemalaya Kids Treats award. 

There was no Special Jury Prize awarded in the Directors Showcase. 

In the NETPAC Premieres category, the film Boundary by Benito Bautista won Best Film.

Cinemalaya, now on its seventh year, was held July 15-24 at the CCP and Greenbelt 3 Cinema. Cinemalaya is a project of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Film Development Council of the Philippines and Econolink Investments, Inc. It is an all-digital film festival that aims to discover, encourage and honor cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity. 

Cinemalaya will move over to UP Diliman's Cine Adarna on July 26 to August 5. 

For more information, visit the CCP website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph

FREIDA PINTO IN THE MIDST OF “RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES”

Freida Pinto

Freida Pinto stars opposite James Franco in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” from the Oscar®-winning visual effects team that brought to life the worlds of Avatar and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  

The movie, a contemporary view of the planet of the apes mythology finds Caroline, a primatologist who crosses paths with scientist Will Rodman (Franco) when his simian subject, Caesar, a CGI ape played by Andy Serkis further required her expertise.  

“Caroline loves the fact that Will cares for a chimpanzee so much that he almost treats him like his own son,” says Pinto. “She’s dedicated her life to apes, so she absolutely loves them and cares for them with all her heart.”

Due to exposure in the womb to Will’s miracle drug cure, young Caesar displays intelligence and behaviors unusual for an ape of any age.  Inspired by his observation of Caesar’s unexpected gifts, Will surreptitiously obtains enough samples of his serum from the company who shut down his project, and against his better judgment privately continues his research at home, using his father and Caesar as test subjects.  Over time, with the help of the drug, the chimp exhibits incredible cognitive skills and intellect.  At the same time, Charles’ symptoms of Alzheimer’s miraculously go into remission.  Will’s bending the rules of laboratory trials seems to have worked beyond his hopes.  

 “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” explores arguably one of today’s most important issues,” states producer Peter Chernin.  “We have these incredible scientific and medical tools at our disposal, and we’re asking the question, how far do you take them before you’re really messing with nature?  What are the limitations?”

Will Rodman pushes those limitations to the breaking point and beyond, to catastrophic results. But before those dire consequences unfold, we get to know Caesar as a youngster and adolescent who, like a human child, is curious about the world around him.  However, as Caesar matures, his highly-developed intelligence is countered by the aggressive and dangerous protective instincts typical of adult male apes.  Caesar soon becomes too much for Will and Caroline to handle.  Will is reluctant to part with Caesar, who has become like a son; Caroline understands Will’s inner turmoil, but she knows that it is impossible for Caesar to remain with him.  “Caroline insists that every animal needs open space and that you can’t expect a large animal – even a very special one like Caesar – to flourish inside a house,” Pinto explains. “Of course, she loves Will and Caesar, and understands why it’s so difficult for him to part with Caesar.”

Pinto first modeled in Mumbai circuits before gaining her big break when director Danny Boyle cast her as the female lead, Latika in “Slumdog Millionaire.” In a promo interview, Boyle likened spotting her to his discovery of Kelly Macdonald for Trainspotting.  After Slumdog Millionaire’s success, Pinto starred in the title role in Julian Schnabel’s film Miral, followed by Woody Allen’s You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger.  Upcoming is the fantasy epic Immortals, directed by Tarsem Singh. 

Between the years 2006-2007, Pinto anchored Full Circle, a travel show telecast on Zee International Asia Pacific. She went on assignments to Afghanistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Fiji among other countries.  

  “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” opens August 4 (Thursday) in theaters from 20^th Century Fox and distributed by Warner Bros.

Ayala Malls Cinemas welcomes Cinemalaya at Greenbelt 3

Cinemalaya opening at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas  (L-R):  Rhia Arda, Marketing Manager of Ayala Malls Cinemas, Rolly Dueñas, Deputy General Manager of Ayala Malls Cinemas, Laurice Guillen, Ralph Fernandez, Nestor Jardin, Festival Director, Robbie Tan, Festival Chairman for Monitoring, Lorna Tolentino

For the first time-ever, Cinemalaya opens two major venues for its 7^th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, “SEE THE UNSEEN”.  Aside from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, it is now also held at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas in Makati.

As Nestor Jardin, Cinemalaya Festival Director, had put it – finally their dream of coming to Makati is now a reality.  Having Greenbelt 3 Cinemas as a second major venue for the festival is part of the vision of Cinemalaya organizers to make the Festival more accessible to the growing number of audiences that attend Cinemalaya.   Ayala Malls Cinemas on the other hand is more than honored to host the prestigious Cinemalaya Festival as it brings the best cinematic works from various talented Filipino filmmakers.

Greenbelt 3 Cinemas will show an all-digital film featuring nine (9) New Breed Full Length films, ten (10) Short Feature Films, eight (8) NETPAC premieres, four (4) Focus Asia (featuring films from Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan) and four (4) Directors Showcase.  “Bisperas” by Jeffrey Jeturian, “Busong” by Auraeus Solito, “Isda” by Adolfo Alix Jr. and “Patikul” by Joel Lamangan.

                Cinemalaya officially opened in Greenbelt 3 Cinemas last July 16 with the film, MASKARRA by the acclaimed director – Laurice Guillen who also is the Festival Chairman of Competition.  The film is a tribute to the late Johnny Delgado which stars Shamaine Buencamino, Tirso Cruz III and daughter Ina Feleo who also wrote the screenplay. 

Visit www.sureseats.com for more information on the 7^th Cinemalaya schedule at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas.  You may also reserve and purchase tickets in advance through the website.  Cinemalaya will run at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas from July 16 to July 24