Zanjoe has to give up Cannes to promote launching movie

HUNK times two: As macho Brando and wacky Brandy.

Zanjoe Marudo lamented that he wouldn’t be attending this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where his indie movie, “Death March,” is competing in the Un Certain Regard section. He cited a hectic schedule and heavy workload for this.

Zanjoe said promotion efforts for his   coming launch movie, “Bromance,” and shooting of the ABS-CBN remake of the 1980s soap opera “Anna Liza” that starts this month would prevent him from joining “Death March” director Adolfo Alix Jr., and costars Sam Milby and Jacky Woo on the prestigious film fest’s famed red carpet.

Fellow Kapamilya actors Piolo Pascual and Gerald Anderson will likewise be in Cannes for the movie “On the Job,” directed by Erik Matti.

“It’s every actor’s dream to walk the red carpet in Cannes, and I’m disappointed I won’t be able to,” Zanjoe told the Inquirer at a recent media gathering.

A sacrifice

He added: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but I can’t just leave my commitments here, of course. That’s the sacrifice I have to make.”

Meanwhile, Zanjoe noted government’s lack of sufficient support for Filipino independent producers and filmmakers, whose movies get featured in various international festivals.

“I hope future lawmakers give local cinema due attention,” he said.

For the 30-year-old actor, being proactive in showing Filipino movies abroad would be an effective way to promote tourism in the country.

“If we look at the bigger picture, movies could play an important role in tourism campaigns because people all over the world will be able to experience our people, history and culture onscreen,” Zanjoe said.

Out of the box

Zanjoe started in the biz as a model and later took on hunk-leading man roles, but he’s been trying to get out of that box lately. In “Bromance,” a comedy flick, he plays the roles of bickering twin brothers—the straight Brando and the cross-dressing gay Brandy.

“I’m much more willing to experiment these days than before. If I am offered another gay role in a more serious, dramatic movie, why not? And yes, even If I have to do some love scenes,” said Zanjoe, sounding not the least bit afraid of getting typecast in that role.

“It’s up to the actor if he keeps limiting himself by doing the same roles again and again,” he pointed out.

Zanjoe believes that doing both indie and mainstream projects helps him become more versatile. “Being able to cross over to the indies is such a great feeling because I get to show different sides of me, and play entirely different characters,” he said.

“In ‘Death March,’ I’m a tough, manly soldier. But in  ‘Bromance,’ I’m a flamboyant, fashionable gay man—polar opposites,” he noted, laughing.

Dream role

Asked if he had any dream role, Zanjoe said he would like to play an overseas Filipino worker or a seaman. “I’ve always been fascinated by their lives at sea. I  want to know about their struggles and also their shenanigans!”

Produced by Star Cinema and Skylight Films, “Bromance,” which opens on Wednesday, is also Zanjoe’s first big mainstream break. “Waiting definitely pays off,” he said. “My bosses probably believe I can carry a movie now. It’s all about perfect timing,” he said.

He’s excited, but also pressured. “I don’t want to think about the stakes right now,” he said. “But I’ll probably have a tough time sleeping the night before the premiere.”