BEN & SAM is Showing from March 10 to 16

That while love between two men is almost impossibly viewed as normal and possible nowadays – getting the right picture depicting the realistic turns of events without having to resort to clichés and tragedy – and uncontrollable porn of poverty – is almost a breakthrough turn of genre-controlling milieu in the art and sobriety of Philippine cinema. We get pictures of two men situated in a world of denials and heartaches of intolerance.

We are faced with countless challenges of narrative flaws and dramatic tortures. We get Davids and Juans in a story arched
with conflicts with the society. A society that is unforgiving of lies
and deceptions. A society that is raped by successive economic
downfalls and pesky moral obligations.

In BEN & SAM, though, no one has issues about depleting bank accounts; no one has to face the mockery of religion, and definitely, no politics of power play and reaction ensued. - SCREENPUSHER

BEN & SAM is SHOWING starting tomorrow MARCH 10 until MARCH 16 in 5 Cinemas: ROBINSONS GALLERIA ORTIGAS, ROBEN CINEMA MANILA, REMAR CUBAO, ISETANN CINERAMA RECTO & CINEMA THEATER CEBU.

BEN & SAM: The World Premiere

The Philippine Independent Filmmakers Cooperative, in cooperation with Robinsons Movieworld, invites everyone to QUEER LOVEFEST, a cinematic fiesta in pink and all the colors of the rainbow.

The film festival features some of the most recent and talked about gay-themed indies - "Ang Laro ng Buhay ni Juan" (directed by Jay Altarejos); "Boylets" and "Quicktrip" (Cris Pablo); "Daybreak" (Adolfo Alix); "Dose" (Senedy Que); "Heavenly Touch" and "Walang Kawala" (Joel Lamangan); "Rome and Juliet" (Connie Macatuno); “Boy” (Aureaus Solito) and "The Thank You Girls" (Bebs Gohetia).

Opening QUEER LOVEFEST is the world premiere of "Ben & Sam" by Mark Shandii Bacolod.

QUEER LOVEFEST runs from February 17 to 23 at INDIESINE, Robinsons Movieworld Galleria, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

FIDEL Showing from Jan 20 to 26

FIDEL

How far would a man go to defend his dignity?

This is not just another sad story of an OFW.

This is the unspoken truth about the plight of Filipino males in the Middle East.

A Filipino worker is on the death row for killing his Arab employer. Because of a lady reporter who is bent on doing a full story about him, government officials are now trying to help him. But Fidel, the accused, doesn't seem to cooperate.

Filipino trial lawyers are asking him to say it was self-defense but Fidel insisted that he killed the Arab on purpose, out of revenge. He seemed withdrawn and full of hatred, contrary to what Vega learned about his past- a boy-next-door type of person who grew up with a loving family. Fidel was also the president of his religious class in high school and was very active in socio-civic projects in college. His profile doesn't fit the picture of a killer- and yet he admitted the crime.

Sister Lourdes, the nun who belongs to an NGO who helps OFWs started talking to him regularly. Soon Fidel opens up to Sister Lourdes and shared his painful experience in the hands of his employer. He was raped.

The revelation added to Sister Lourdes' desire to help Fidel. She now understands why Fidel would rather be called a killer because it is such a shame for a man to be raped by another man. And Sister Lourdes discovers that Fidel is not alone- because there are a lot of Filipino males who are being raped but are too embarrassed to file a complaint.

With the connection of Father Allan, Sister Lourdes and Vega started a massive media campaign to free Fidel. This irritated Fidel because he doesn't want to be freed. He feels like his life is already over. And the day he killed his employer was the day he accepted his fate- that he will also be sentenced to death.

FIDEL is finally SHOWING FROM JANUARY 20 to 26 at ROBINSONS GALLERIA, ORTIGAS. It stars Lance Raymundo, Andrea del Rosario, Maria Isabel Lopez, Jao Mapa, Fonz Deza, Nonoy Froilan, Von Arroyo, Marife Necesito, Mosang, John Hall, Roeder Camanag and Snooky Serna.

BEN & SAM Poster Teaser 2

Thank you Jimmy Flores!

BEN & SAM poster teaser 1

Lay Out, Design & Additional Concept by Jimmy Flores.
Original Concept by Mark Shandii Bacolod and Eduardo Roy Jr.
Photography by: Sean L. Lim
Styling by Sarah Jose.
Art Direction by Eduardo Roy Jr. and Jerome Zamora.

BEN & SAM 1st TRAILER

BEN & SAM

February 2010.

Participant

Co-Production Market of the 11th Cinemanila International Film Festival

Headed by Ms. Sonja Heinen of the World Cinema Fund, Germany

Story & Direction: Mark Shandii Bacolod

Director of Photography: Rain Yamson II
Screenplay: Archie del Mundo
Producer: Jazmin Trinidad-Tecson
Co-Producer: Sean Lim
Line Producer: Roan Ng
Production Designer: Eduardo Roy Jr.
Art Director: Jerome Zamora
Production Managers: Romuald Lagasca & Arnold de Jesus
Assistant Director: Karla Pambid
2nd Assistant Director: Jayar Diaz
Script Continuity Supervisor: Murphy Red

Starring
Ray An Dulay, Jess Mendoza, Micah Munoz, Tara Cabaero, Simon Ibarra, Dido dela Paz, Angeli Bayani, Raymond Lim, Andro Morgan, Ace Ricafort, Tony Lapena, Anton Gomez, Arpee Bautista, Cai Cortez & Ana Abad Santos.

BEN & SAM REVEALED

I have always wanted to direct the “perfect” gay film… the perfect same sex love story that is. Boy meets Boy. Boy falls in love. They live happily ever after. I wanted to get out of the box in telling this story. Get out of the conventional pre-conceived notion and stereotype portrayal of Homosexuals in Cinema today.

LOVE in its very essence is the main reason of living. Love is stronger than death. When it strikes you… it strikes you, no explanations needed, no reasons at all. BEN & SAM takes us to a journey of unconditional love, friendship, self discovery and acceptance. The perfect love, at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Is it possible to direct two men in a John Lloyd-Bea love story? Is it even possible to fall in love with them? These are the ideas that I want to explore.

Is it too much for me to show that Homosexuals are just like Men and women? We get hurt. We struggle. We fight to survive. We fall in love. We feel pain. We even get lonely at night. And we dream of a happy ending to our so-called "perfect love story".