Now on its 8th year, Cinema One Originals brings out the best among the digital/independent film makers to create great movies that can be also market in the mainstream and international film awards. Cinema One officially announced the finalists of the Cinema One Originals 2012 but this time the category was divided in to two divisions the 2 Million and 1 Million budget. The 2 Million Pesos budget was given to three movies by Cinema One that will challenge three world class directors to create films that has dramatic theme that still has that ground breaking approach and offers more voices from the different regions of the country.
While the other division which is 1 Million Pesos will be given to ten independent film makers with a theme of their own to create a great story. The Cinema One Originals 2012 Selection Committee members: Teddy Co, Sherad Anthony Sanchez, Veronica Velasco, Jennifer Laurel, Oggs Cruz, Raymond Diamzon, Raymond Lee, Kathleen Pador and Ronald Arguelles.
The three finalists for the Php 2M production budget are: MARIPOSA SA HAWLA NG GABI by Richard Somes is a tale of an innocent woman who unravels horrible truths while in search of her long lost sister in the city; LOURDES by Adolfo Alix Jr. is about a typical Filipino mother in a non-stereotypical kind of profession, living a dark shadowy life in Manila City’s underground ; BAYBAYIN by Auraeus Solito is a unique tale of two half sisters who fall in love with a man who can’t hear and speak to them, proof that love can speak even in silence.
The ten finalists for the 1M production budget are: ANG PAGLALAKBAY NG MGA BITUIN SA GABING MADILIM by Arnel Mardoquio is about a boy’s journey to safety after his parents are killed in a gun war. On his way, overwhelming discoveries are made in his travel by sea; CATNIP by Kevin Dayrit is a psychological film on two friends who despite their differences find comfort in being together; MELODRAMA NEGRA by Ma. Isabel Legarda is a black comedy which follows the “life” of three dead people who find unanticipated things in the acclaimed City of Stars – Quezon City; SLUMBER PARTY by Emmanuel Dela Cruz is a riotous comedy about fraternity initiations and homosexuality; PASCALINA by Pam Miras is another yet untypical story of a simple girl who after visiting her dying aunt experiences changes in her life that will push her to the edge of madness and monstrosity; ANAK ARAW by Gym Lumbera is a fable that talks about the colonial illusion of an albino who believes that he is a son of an American. He starts learning English but explosions happen whenever he speaks it; MEKANIKO NI MONICA by Cesar Hernando is set in the 50’s and is about a man who struggles between fighting for his love for country and his new found love ; ABERYA by Christian Linaban is about love, sex, and psychedelic potions which intertwine the lives of four people in one night; PALITAN by Ato Bautista has claustrophobic locations as its backdrop to depict the life of lovers who find themselves asphyxiated and trapped in an erotic triangle; and MAMAY UMENG by Dwein Baltazar is about an 84-year-old woman who is alone and waiting, prays not for long life, but for a fast escape.
By November 2012, these films will be publicly screened and will compete against each other in the Cinema One Originals 2012 awards night. For more information, visit Cinema One’s official Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/pages/cinema-one-originals/193194883486
