‘Septic Tank’ eyes slot in 84th Oscars

EUGENE Domingo, star of “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank”

Marlon Rivera’s “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank,” which chronicles a day in the life of three wannabe filmmakers, is the Film Academy of the Philippines’ choice to represent the country in the 84th Oscar Awards, it was announced on Friday.

FAP president Leo Martinez has confirmed that “Septic Tank,” starring Eugene Domingo, was chosen from a short list of 10 films by a seven-member committee headed by National Artist for Film Eddie Romero.

But Martinez said the film would have to undergo a gruelling process to get an official nomination. Every country is allowed to submit an entry through a local organization or group accredited by the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Foreign Language Film Award committee elects five nominees through secret balloting.

“I wish the film all the luck,” Martinez told Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview. “The biggest challenge is raising enough funds to promote it. Help from the government is really important. Money was the main problem of producers of films that [took a shot at the] Oscars in the past.”

Each year, the FAP, counterpart of the United States’ Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, picks an entry. “The local committee begins screening in July or August and comes up with a decision on Sept. 15,” Martinez explained.

“Septic Tank,” which won a number of awards, including Best Picture at the 2010 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, is a coproduction of Straight Shooters Media and Quantum Films. Written by Chris Martinez, it also features JM de Guzman, Kean Cipriano and Cai Cortez.

Last year’s entry was the comedy flick “Ded na si Lolo,” directed by Soxie Topacio and produced by APT Entertainment.

Costly campaign

To launch a campaign just to get the film nominated is extremely expensive, Martinez noted. “Based on my research, you will need from $1 million to $5 million for the promotion. You have to send copies of the film to some 1,000 people, of which only about 400 will vote. You will need to post ads in major US newspapers and film trade magazines (like Variety and Hollywood Reporter).”

He gave this advice to “Septic Tank” producers: “Find a distributor in America.” He cited the case of the producers of the Italian drama, “Life is Beautiful” who convinced a distributor to finance its campaign. The movie bagged the Best Foreign Language Film award in 1999. “If your film wins, then your distributor will be equally happy,” Martinez said.

Rivera, who is a fashion designer and an advertising executive, said he never thought his debut film would get this far. But more than feeling honored to represent the country, he is “worried about the financial requirements” of the film’s bid for a nomination.

“Where will we get funding? I’ve not even come to the point of worrying about our chances of being accepted,” he said.