from left: Peque Gallaga, Lore Reyes–TYANAK, FDCP Exec. Dir. Teddy Granados, Romy Suzara (SIGAW SA HATINGGABI), Gil Portes (HUKLUBAN) and Edgardo Boy Vinarao (BACAO). Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

The concept seems to be at odds, making films that more of our kababayan (countrymen), more Filipinos will watch. And giving the reigns to the filmmakers, directors rather than profit-oriented producers, outfits, even networks. But this is exactly what the HORROR PLUS Film fest attempts to do. It will run from October 29-November 4, 2014 in all SM Malls and Walter Mart Cinemas. Galas of the movies will have a free entrance from October 20 to 23, in SM North Edsa & Megamall where cast members like Judy Ann Santos, Solenn Heussaff, Michelle Madrigal will make personal appearances. Please check gala schedules here: official FDCP site.

from left: Interaksyon Ent Editor and HUKULUBAN screenwriter Eric Ramos, Krista Miller (Mira), Kiko Matos (Kandro), Minda Flores (Hukluban), director Gil Portes. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

The films participating in the festival include T’YANAK by co-directors Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes, HUKLUBAN by director Gil M. Portes, BACAO by director Edgardo “Boy” Vinarao, and SIGAW SA HATINGGABI by director Romy V. Suzara. The film fest is composed of four entries so that the films may have more screening dates.

BACAO cast from left: Alvin Anson, Marife Necesito, Edgardo Boy Vinarao, Michelle Madrigal. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

During a press conference outspoken director Peque Gallaga discussed the efforts of the FDCP (Film Development Council of the Philippines) and why they participated in it, “We’re very grateful to FDCP for doing these things. Sa totoo lang the budget is really, really, really low. Pero Lore and I feel, I think the same goes for Romy for Boy and Gil. It’s a pleasure to work for zero than people who tell you what to do. FDCP actually believes in artistic freedom. And I think what’s happening is FDCP has already produced 51 Pinoy indie films believe it or not.”

TYANAK director Peque Gallaga with actress Mailes Kanapi. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

Gallaga believes the HORROR PLUS Film fest is a way of attracting audiences to the work of Pinoy directors without having the pressure of pleasing producers who don’t necessarily share the same vision, “Ang nangyayari with the Horror Film Festival, the FDCP has recognized that we have to go back to the middle ground. Dapat we should be making films, this is not a judgment of indie films I am an indie filmmaker, but we have to start making films for the Filipino people. This is a burgis person talking I am a Regal baby. It’s time that people go back to watching our films, not only for festivals. I think the Horror film festival is a good attempt to go back to the middle ground.”

SIGAW SA HATING GABI cast from left: China Roces, Vangie Labalan & Lance Raymundo. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

The middle ground according to him is being able to give directors and writers greater creative control, “What’s happening now and I’m not insulting anybody. The big industry is getting people, getting really good, good, good artists in the form of directors. But its like you’re hiring sculptors to do carpentry work. It’s time to return movies to the artists. (Applause) Thank you for the few who agree with me. Still I think the combination of indie and mainstream is going to be wonderful for Filipino movies to go back to the Golden age.”

Krista Miller (Mira) & Kiko Matos (Pepito) of HUKLUBAN by Gil Portes written by Eric Ramos. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: Gil Portes of HUKLUBAN, Adrian Cabido, Lore Reyes & Peque Gallaga of TYANAK. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

Gallaga’s horror flick TYANAK with Janice De Belen defined what the monster truly is. He went on to explain that it wasn’t clearly defined or identified prior to that in film, “Ang nangyari sa TYANAK it’s a reboot. Reboot means we’re doing the original story but it’s been 30 years. Ang nangyari doon we were Regal babies we were with mother. And one of my favorite directors si Charing Carlos, I don’t know which one he did na may tyanak. The tyanak were the Gutierrez twins when they were 4 years old. Hindi yon tyanak those were Santa’s Elves. Sabi ko Mother hindi yan tyanak. When I worked with Richard Gutierrez way after I told him the same thing. Hindi yan tyanak. We’ll make a movie for you, Mother didn’t know what the tyanak was. When we did TYANAK the movie we went back to Philippine folklore.”

SIGAW SA HATING GABI cast mates Regine Angeles and Vangie Labalan. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

Mother Liliy Monteverde of Regal had a very specific scene that she wanted Gallaga to do. He relates, “All that Mother asked us to do that’s why I respect Mother a lot. Basta dapat si Lotlot is running with the baby na may ulan. She would fall in the putik. She would look at the baby and say ‘Why God?’ And tama si Mother people loved that.”

SIGAW SA HATING GABI cast from left: China Roces, Regine Angeles, Vangie Labalan, Director Romy Suzara, Lance Raymundo, Alvin Anson and Hero Bautista. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

The invitation to make a horror film came from FDCP chairman Briccio Santos. “When we did the first TYANAK we wanted to show what a tyanak was. Now everybody knows what a tyanak is. Ang ginawa namin this time, we maintained the Janice and Lotlot characters. But we went deeper into what a tyanak does. Briccio said do you want to make a horror film? Sabi namin we want to do TYANAK again. Why? Because it’s the original Filipino monster. Mananaggal the Indoensians have that, the Thais have the manananggal. In all of the universe only the Philippines has the tyanak. The tyanak is a monster that hides behind compassion, it hides behind pity. In other words yung power ng tyanak you cannot kill him.”

TYANAK cast from left: Adrian Cabrido, Lore Reyes, Peque Gallaga and Mailes Kanapi. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

Gala Pemiere Schedules

Bacao – October 20 (Monday) / SM Megamall / Cinema 7 / 7:00pm

Hukluban – October 21 (Tuesday) / SM North Edsa / Cinema 1 / 7:00pm

T’yanak – October 22 (Wednesday) / SM Megamall / Cinema 7 / 7:00pm

Sigaw sa Hatinggabi – October 23 (Thursday) / SM North Edsa / Cinema 1 / 7:00pm

from left: BACAO director Edgardo Boy Vinarao and actor Alvin Anson (Leloy). Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

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from left: Gil Portes (HUKLUBAN), Mailes Kanapi (TYANAK) and Interaskyon Ent Editor Eric Ramos. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Regine Angeles (SIGAW SA HATINGGABI) and Interaksyon sub editor Edwin Sallan. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

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SIGAW SA HATING GABI cast from left: China Roces, Vangie Labalan , Lance Raymundo & Romy Suzara. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: Alvin Anson(SIGAW SA HATINGGABI/BACAO), Shandi Bacolod and Lance Raymundo (SIGAW SA HATINGGABI). Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Mailes Kanapi (TYANAK) and Lance Raymundo (SIGAW SA HATING GABI). Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.4, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Le Marquis is screening for free at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from June 8-19 as part of the French Film Fest 2011

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

Quentin (Richard Berry) and Thomas (Franck Dubosc) were wearing fake airline pilot uniforms and got into an elevator. A real pilot walks in and happens to ask their names. Thomas says with a straight face, “My name is Kirk…Captain Kirk.” The real pilot still fails to see the Star Trek reference and seriously asks the name of Quentin. Thomas adds, “Oh he’s Spock!” Quentin nearly slaps Thomas. Instead as soon as the doors open they bolt out of the elevator running. It was part of their planned escape from their captors. They run through the airport until they feel they’ve distanced themselves. In the next corner they are unaware of the muscular scary looking man and his partner looking at them suspiciously. Eventually, their wild explanation is a cause of both confusion and humor to their captors and audiences.

The scene was shot at the Cebu airport and is part of the French and Filipino co production ‘Le Marquis’. The Marquis opened the French Film festival running in Shang Cineplex atShangRilaPlazafrom June 9 to 18, 2011. In attendance of the premiere were French Ambassador Thierry Borja de Mozota and Shang Rila Plaza Finance Manager Tess Durante. And fresh from his participation of theCannesfilm festival for the film “Busong”, Aureus Solito was part of the ribbon cutting ceremony. Two previous Filipino Cannes participants: Brillante Mendoza and Raya Martin were also in attendance of the French film fest opening.

French Film fest opening From left: French Audio Visual Attaché Martin Macalintal, Axantis Productions Head Louis Paul Heussaff, Shang Rila Financial Mgr. Tess Durante, Amb of France Thierry Borja de Mozota, Pinoy Cannes directors Aureus Solito and Brillante Mendoza. Photo was taken during the French Film Festival opening at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza Mall last June 8, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

As part of the fest, a retrospective of Aureus Solito’s work and a short film of Raya Martin will also be screened on June 12, 2011 also at Shang Cineplex. Solito’s film “Busong” is part of this year’s Director’s Showcase category in Cinemalaya film fest from July 16-24 at theCulturalCenterof thePhilippines.

Solito said of ‘Le Marquis’, “The humor is something that Filipino movie goers will be able to get and appreciate. Thomas (Franck Dubosc) actually reminds me of Dolphy. Their styles are very similar with physical comedy and facial expressions.” Entrance is free of charge on a first come first served basis for all films in the fest. Dubosc is white haired, ruddy faced and is too nerdy looking to be convincing as a criminal mastermind. In one scene Thomas almost becomes a mime as he explains his complex scheme for the heist to Jo (Jean-Hugues Anglade). It becomes a hilarious form of charades as he tries to convince Jo of the viability of the plan. His partner Quentin played by Richard Berry has the same light beard and grey hair of another famous French actor, Jean Renoit (Pink Panther). Quentin in this film is the straight guy of the duo.

Quentin Tasseau (Richard Berry) is a chronically inept career criminal whose failure has gotten him to trouble with the mob. In a desperate scheme to save himself, he recruits a famous criminal mastermind Le Marquis to pull off a large heist inManila. The problem is that Thomas Gardesse (Franck Dubosc) made the claim of being Le Marquis only to avoid being raped in jail. Both of them are the worst possible choices for the job. Story wise there are quite a few holes, but usually it’s the laughs that audiences look for in a film like this.

‘Camera Café’, a TV show starring Epi Quizon also gets some screen time.  Axantis Productions is the same outfit that produced both the show and Le Marquis. Axantis President Louis Paul Heussaff raved about the support of Filipino production and technical support that helped make the film. “These days I’m more popularly known as Solenn’s father,” referring to his daughter Solenn Heussaff and female lead in GMA’s ‘Captain Barbell.’

from left: Shang Rila Financial Mgr. Tess Durante and Director Raya Martin. Photo was taken during the French Film Festival opening at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza Mall last June 8, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Key Filipino roles in the film include Joel Torre as Commandant Swat. The bright faced Kalila Aguilos plays a bank receptionist. A mysterious, scary looking, muscular and dark enforcer of the mob is named ‘Jesus.’ He may be one of those characters that director Dominique Farrugia discovered  here that was perfect for the role. Jesus hardly had any lines but had a very intimidating presence. One thing that Filipino audiences may notice is that they shot the film mostly in Cebu but is actually set inManila. A lot of the interiors were in Shang Rila Mactan Hotel, needing to show the posh lifestyle of an international criminal syndicate. The impressive pool and beach front were perfect locations for Le Marquis.