PH wins big in Tokyo

Paolo Ballesteros was declared best actor.

Even though it was a very cold (10 degrees Celsius!) Thursday morning in Tokyo, the Philippine contingent trooped to Toho Cinemas at Roppongi Hills for a very special occasion.

Turned out the country would bring home a golden harvest of awards from the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival that day: Mikhail Red’s “Birdshot” won the top prize in the Asian Future section; Jun Robles Lana’s “Die Beautiful” was chosen as the Audience Choice winner; while Paolo Ballesteros bagged the best actor award (for Lana’s film) in the main tilt.

Red told the Inquirer: “I am speechless right now. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my partner and producer Pamela L. Reyes.”

Paolo Ballesteros as Julia Roberts at the Tokyo fest.

He also acknowledged the support of the Doha Film Institute and his coproducers Tuko, Buchi Boy and Artikulo Uno. “I share this award with all the other struggling young filmmakers and I dedicate this honor to the Philippines, which provides us with the source materials and inspires our stories.”

Red also expressed the hope that other filmmakers would be encouraged to “pursue their passions and never give up, telling their stories and reaching out to an audience—locally and internationally.”

Ballesteros came dressed as Julia Roberts at the closing ceremony (and as Angelina Jolie on opening night last week).

He said jokingly: “I thought I was up for best actress, that’s why I wore a dress.”

Mikhail Red

In his acceptance speech, Ballesteros expressed gratitude to “the organizers, programmers, volunteers” for being “helpful and gracious” during their stay in Tokyo. “Thank you for embracing our film,” the newly minted best actor said.

In the citation, the jury commended Ballesteros’ “vividly delivered performance [which] genuinely unfolded and took viewers to a journey between fiction and reality.”

Jurors also praised the Filipino actor’s “magical ability to merge the male and female.”

The best actor award comes with a $5,000 cash prize.

Ballesteros had already gone home last week, to resume his hosting chores on “Eat Bulaga.” But organizers flew him back to Tokyo in time for the awards ceremony—catching most of the audience members, including juror, Hong Kong filmmaker Mabel Cheung, by surprise.

“It was a big ceremony,” “Die Beautiful” producer Perci Intalan related. “Masaaki Takei, the mayor of Minato City, and other government officials were in attendance.”

Lana’s film was one of the early favorites in the main competition—with some Japanese critics choosing it as one of its top three entries.

In his speech, Lana admitted that he was initially “thrilled and anxious” upon finding out that “Die Beautiful” had been selected as part of this year’s lineup.

“I wasn’t sure how audiences in the Philippines would receive the film, much less in Japan,” he owned up.

That Tokyo fest embraced his film, and even gave it two prizes, was nothing short of “stunning.”

“I am surprised by the honors you’ve given our film,” Lana said in his speech. “These recognitions strengthen my belief in the power of cinema to unite us—regardless of race, color, language—and celebrate our uniqueness and individuality.”

Paolo Ballesteros (left) with Jun Lana

In previous interviews with the Inquirer, Lana said that Tokyo has always been “dear” to his heart.

His earlier films, “Bwakaw” (2012) and “Barber’s Tales,” (2013) were also shown at the Tokyo fest, with the second film winning best actress for Eugene Domingo.

Lana recalled that Tokyo organizers had reached out to him about his latest film, which topbills Ballesteros as a transgender beauty contestant, whose passing inspires a colorful wake and funeral.

Yoshi Yatabe, competition director of the Tokyo fest, told the Inquirer: “It’s one of the most moving films I’ve seen this year. I was impressed by the way Jun told this amazing story—full of tears and laughter. Even though it’s about death, it remains positive.”

“We’ve built an audience in Tokyo, and we wanted to touch base with our viewers again,” Lana related.

“Die Beautiful” is inking a possible distribution deal with a Japanese firm and details are being ironed out at presstime.

Yasushi Shiina, director general of the Tokyo fest, pointed out: “Our goal is to introduce not only Japanese, but also Asian cinema, to the rest of the world.”