Two PH films in HK LGBT fest

Khalil Ramos (left) and Ethan Salvador in “2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten”

Two Filipino movies are included in the Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, ongoing until Sept. 24.

After its screening on Sept. 10, Jay Altarejos’ “Tale of the Lost Boys” will have another showing on Sept. 24 as part of the HK fest’s Special Presentation program. Topbilled by Oliver Aquino and Ta Su, the Philippine-Taiwanese production tells the story of two men who “form new perspectives on their identities.”

“It’s essential to screen this film in Hong Kong because it is of great importance to connect with our neighbors, to know what are the issues that affect us and to see the similarities in our cultures,” Altarejos told the Inquirer.

“And it’s really about time that the region’s artists cross borders to share their talent,” he added.

Altarejos related that the next stop for his movie is the Shanghai Queer Film Festival (from Sept. 16 to 24).

Also part of the HK fest’s Asia Focus section is Petersen Vargas’ “2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten.” The award-winning Cinema One film—which features Khalil Ramos, Ethan Salvador and Jameson Blake—will have screenings on Sept. 16 and 23.

Vargas told the Inquirer: “I like the fact that our next international screening is in Asia, in the long-running HK LGBT fest.”

He pointed out that it’s “important to keep surveying the way the LGBT community fights for equality and acceptance, even through the movies we watch and make. Festivals as strong and determined as the HK event can help shape perspectives, especially among the new breed, to extend the [struggle] back home.”

Founded in 1989, the HK fest is reputedly the oldest cinema event for the LGBT community in the region.

The fest’s organizers “seek to promote equal opportunities and eliminate discrimination against sexual minority groups in Hong Kong through cinematic works of art.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.