From ‘maindie’ to indie

DOMINGO. Boosts alternative film’s income-generating prospects. Photo from cinemalaya.org

After almost 10 years, the annual Cinemalaya indie festival and competition is fielding the biggest number of “maindie” stars to date in its currently ongoing edition: Vilma Santos in “Ekstra,” Gretchen Barretto in “The Diplomat Hotel,” Eugene Domingo in “Instant Mommy,” Lovi Poe in “Sana Dati,” Angel Aquino in “Porno,” Anita Linda in “David F.,” Jake Cuenca in “Nuebe,” Alessandra de Rossi in “Liars”—etc.!

Some film buffs may fear that this development will “water down” the organic integrity of the indie film movement, but we choose to see it as a way for financially strapped alternative movies to get into the mainstream theater circuits, with their much larger audience and income-generating prospects.

In addition, indie movies offer established stars much more challenging roles than mainstream productions, so they are able to further enhance their thespic skills. If the new development is handled right, it could be a win-win situation all around.

Countering ‘colonial’ bias

Another upbeat development on the local entertainment front is the good showing of the “Katy!” musical, even on its current repeat run at the Meralco Theater, which is twice as big in terms of seating capacity as the revival production’s initial venue, the CCP Little Theater. Call 899-8099 and 0917 932-8765 for tickets for remaining performances today and tomorrow.

Even better, young theatergoers have gotten excited about the original Filipino musical, which we hope will go a long way in counteracting the “colonial” bias we have for foreign theater works.

Best of all, there’s talk of yet another repeat run for the hit show, this time a more “affordable” series of stagings to be sponsored by schools.

P.S. Even stars who usually appear in foreign musicals have intimated to us that the “Katy!” show has made them “yearn” to do an original Filipino musical themselves!

Homegrown material

In fact, two big stars have asked us to line up homegrown material for them. Should this come to pass, the major leads’ box-office clout will make Pinoy musicals more popular than ever.

Meanwhile, let’s patronize other Filipino productions that are opening soon, including the “Lorenzo Ruiz” musical with script by Paul Dumol, music by Ryan Cayabyab and direction by Nonon Padilla, and “Pamana,” the “tribute” musical about Ninoy and Cory Aquino and the legacy of Edsa.

Remember, when we’re able to finally vanquish our “deathless” colonial mentality, the mind you liberate—could be your own!