This July, renowned commercial and music video director Marie Jamora presents her long-awaited feature-length film debut with Ang Nawawala, a finalist in the Cinemalaya Film Festival’s New Breed Full-Length Feature category.
A project almost 10 years in development, the film is composed of images, characters, scenes and dialogue Jamora has been collecting since her college years as a Film student at Columbia University.
“This is my dream film, one I’ve been thinking about for years, and there’s nothing better than being able to make it with some of my best friends, who also happen to be damn good at their jobs,” Jamora said. “I have never been so happy on a set in my life. It’s also because of our cast—I got everyone I wanted.”
Jamora has assembled a cast of prodigious talents, some from a series of open auditions and Cinemalaya casting sessions. Her crew consists of trusted friends and professionals she has worked with, including Hong Kong cinematographer Ming Kai Leung, a classmate at Columbia.
The film also features performances from some of the best bands and artists in the country, including Sandwich, Pedicab, Itchyworms!, Hannah + Gabi, Flying Ipis, Outerhope, Tarsius, and Ebe Dancel, many of whom wrote original songs for the film.
Synopsis:
Gibson Bonifacio stopped speaking when he was a child. Now 20 years old, he returns home to Manila from his studies abroad. It’s his first visit in three years and finds his family trying to keep it together, his mother still hurting from a tragic loss in the past.
Against the backdrop of the vibrant local music scene, his childhood best friend tries to reconnect with him, while he unexpectedly finds a chance at a first, real romantic relationship.
Amidst the holidays, Gibson reconsiders and redefines his relationships with his family, his friends, and with himself.
L-R: Dawn Zulueta, Dominic Roco, Felix Roco, Mercedes Cabral
Cast:
Dominic Roco - Gibson Bonifacio
Felix Roco - Jamie Bonifacio
Dawn Zulueta - Esme Bonifacio
Boboy Garrovillo - Wesley Bonifacio
Annicka Dolonius - Enid del Mundo
Alchris Galura - Teddy Guinoo
Mercedes Cabral - Simone Sales
Kelvin Yu - Mac Yu
Sabrina Man - Promise Bonifacio
Marc Abaya - Michael Magallanes
Jenny Jamora - Corey Bonifacio
Crew:
Director: Marie Jamora
Writers: Marie Jamora + Ramon De Veyra
Producers: Bernard Dacanay, Trinka Lat, John Sy, Daphne O. Chiu, Marie Jamora
Line Producer: Daphne O. Chiu
Director of Photography:Ming Kai Leung
Production Designer: Trinka Lat
Stylist: Mara Reyes
Editors: Edsel Abesames & Marie Jamora
Sound Design: Ditoy Aguila
Music: Diego Mapa, Jazz Nicolas, and Mikey Amistoso
Production Company: Brainchild Studios
In association with: Indie Pop Films
With the support of: Liquidpost • Fluidpost • Gung Ho Films
Screening dates: July 20-29, 2012 at the CCP • Greenbelt • Trinoma
Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.