Boy Abunda produces his first indie film, ‘Astig’ |
| by Fionna Acaba | July 08, 2009 7:50 AM | |
Boy Abunda has joined the world of independent filmmaking by producing Astig, a full-length digital film set to compete in the Cinemalaya Film Festival 2009. According to the TV host, his main reason for taking on this new challenge was that he is fascinated with indie films, basically because of the things he learns in the process. “It happened because of my fascination with film directors such as Quentin Tarantino. I like indie films kasi marami akong natututunan, it broadens my perspectives. And you know, for example, I can produce a talk show, I can produce a variety show but an indie film allows you to learn a lot of things.”
His co-producer and friend Boy So said they decided to produce independent films because they wanted to see films that are really entertaining and educational. Aside from this, they also wanted to help those with potential talents in writing and in directing films. “Talagang matulungin na tao si Boy (Abunda). He wants to help boost our film industry. Kinausap niya ako nun and then I told him, ‘Wala problema’. Hindi naman kami nagmamadali as producers pero nung nakita naming yung kagandahan ng story [of Astig] um-okay kami, ” So added.
Boy Abunda also loves the fact that he can just take things easy in the independent film industry. Unlike mainstream movies, it is not being weighed down with so many factors. “Natutuwa ako kasi hindi mataas ang expectations ko, ayoko kasi talaga paikutin ang expectations around the movie. What I love about Indie films is that they are unhampered with too many considerations: too much creative elements, figures to target etc. It has freedom.”
Both Abunda and So also hope to get the film’s message across borders and recognized in other countries. According to Abunda, Astig is a story that every Filipino can relate to, because the scenes really happen in real life. “Sana matuwa sila sa kwento kasi kwento nila ito at kwento ng mga kakilala nila. You know, I would like them to be engaged in a conversation. Like, as they watch the film, masasabi nila, ‘Ay ako din nanakawan. Ay ako din na-snatchan.”
Since he personally can relate to the story, ABS-CBN.com asked him what makes him “astig.” “Astig ako sa buhay, sa pag-big. Sa buhay kasi kailangan mo maging matapang, wala kang ibang choice kung hindi lumaban, dahil kung hindi malalason ka sa kapangyarihan ng kapaligiran mo. Kailangan mayroon kang lakas ng loob. Pero alam ko rin kung ano ang mga dapat ko pasukin o hindi. I know how to recognize my strengths and weaknesses,” Abunda shared.
Astig is just the first in the line-up of films Abunda and So are planning to produce. The two plan on taking their time so that the films that they can maintain the quality of each film. “Maganda talaga yung movie, ibang klase. Iba’t-ibang character sila pero nagtatagpo sila sa isang lugar na hindi naman sila magkakakilala,” So said.
The movie Astig stars Sid Lucero, Dennis Trillo, Edgar Allan Guzman, and Arnold Reyes. Other stars in the cast include Ai-Ai de las Alas, Pooh, Bianca Gonzalez, Mariel Rodriguez, Sitti Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Vhong Navarro, Chanda Romero, Rustica Carpio, Keana Reeves, Glaiza de Castro, Gardo Versoza, Emilio Garcia, Kim Atienza, Paolo Paraiso, and Romano Vasquez.
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