Broken Hearts Trip: Funny with a Chance of Cry

Just got off the cinema for the film Broken Hearts Trip, an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 of BMC Films and Smart Films. This is their red carpet premiere, so the cast trooped to the Gateway Cineplex and walked with celebrity guests, media and online entities.

To tell you honestly, I got the notion that this was going to be greatly comedy content. The ensemble cast names already asked for that, but no, this is not the usual slapstick flick. As you saw in the trailers, this is a full blown reality game show aimed to change the lives of different LGBTQIA++ folks from different backgrounds. From auditions, actual game and eliminations, they all go through challenges and try to win money to change their lives. That's also where most of it is going to be crazy.

I would go to lengths and admit that I've had several bouts of tears in my eyes watching this, but I would give it to Petite Brockovich who plays Mark. Her character was quite stellar in the first half, and even though she possesses a ton and a half of funny bones, her dramatic moments hit me like a ton of bricks when her plot gets divulged. Her partner in the movie is equally intense, it's like a boiling pot waiting to spill over. It's something I felt a connection with, and you've got Teejay Marquez, Marvin Yap, Ms. Iyah Mina and Direk Andoy Ranay to choose from. Chances are, you'll feel like one of them during your watch. Everyone's eyes will get wet in one scene or another, because I saw a few people beside me cry too but with the character of Direk, Iya Mina and Teejay instead (though they'll never admit wiping it off in the dark lol). Here's our coverage at the red carpet on video!

 This might get them a chance to win ensemble award or even best supporting actress. It's not a dud, they're definitely a contender with what I saw earlier. It's got fun, laughter, very relatable characters and you'll get to learn not to judge people. After all, you don't know what they've been through. You don't need to walk in their shoes, but just have heart when you need to. Their support cast delivered too, a good platform to showcase how they didn't shortchange acting prowess in this project. I got a little sad about Christian Bables feeling a little afraid that this might not do well in the box office (which he mentioned after the movie, maybe he looked around on promos), but I beg to differ. It's PG, a place where even kids with parents or guardians could watch. Hopefully, people get to see this for its credits. It's quirkiness is it's selling point, a good LGBTQIA film made to realize that they could be anyone of you.  

The film may have been a huge surprise to be included in the list of entries, but I think I know why after watching the film. This has a lot of components in it, which may lead you frantically finding funny, but instead give you something even more than that... it has HEART.

Congratulations to the cast and the creators! You made me cry.  

Comedy, Love, Relationships and Second Chances on MMFF 2023 Entry BROKEN HEARTS TRIP

 

Giving you tons of laughter and a couple of heartstrings is this upcoming MMFF 2023 entry called "Broken Hearts Trip" to be shown on Christmas day.

The theme of the movie lies in the characters who's part of the LGBT community, 5 individuals who are trying to find their goals on money and love. Though this will be telling much of the hurt, the sacrifices, the change in people, these are the huge factor why the film was actually chosen for MMFF 2023 according to the Director Lem Lorca.

The film stars Christian Bables, Direk Andoy Ranay, Petite, Iyah Minah and Teejay Marquez. The movie also includes award winning actress Ms. Jaclyn Jose, Jay Gonzaga, Ron Angeles, Argel Saycon, Marvin Yap, Tart Carlos, Amold Reyes, Kevin Posadas and runway fairy extraordinaire Sinon Loresca.

Christian Bables adds "We promised to make people happy and wanted them to realize something about their pain and their broken hearts, and healing. I did my best as an actor, and with the grace of God, thank you, and if I didn't get the best actor trophy, I'd be glad to see the deserving one win it. I hope we both get recognition for the hard work and we also would love if we do good in the box office. I really appreciate learning the best worth ethics from Jaclyn Jose, I believe the best actors don't want to get that pressure from her. She's a very good listener, it doesn't matter if one is new in the industry because she will give you what you need in the scenes, she's that generous and great."

Direk Lem Lorca says "Broken Hearts Trip really had some things broken in the process, it's how we heal and the characters have different ways of finding a cure. Yes, it won't be solely solving their problems in one way, they are hurt, sad, angry and even hiding their feelings. We will take you for a ride when it comes out in Christmas."

Here's our video coverage of the event, please enjoy!

 During the press conference, I personally asked them about their personal experiences. Knowing they had their fair share of first love, breakups and things they've learned, Direk Andoy Ranay shared how he was in love with an older chap who after breaking up, was able to remain friends til today. Christian Bables on the other hand talked about young love, where he had a falling out with a lady who was already working while he was only starting out. They broke up in a cab, where he got the surprise of his life after being informed that he was "the other guy" in the relationship. Petite reminisced about the reasons how she and Amir broke up, and when she knew that she was already into the fantasy, joking that after they broke up, still had to send GCash after that. Iyah Minah on the other hand shared how she felt like a woman, she was treated like one, even when she hadn't transitioned yet. She was young, but it was the first time she experienced love and romance. She's still thankful that happened.

Becoming part of the MMFF 2023 final list isn't an accident for this one. The trailer alone gives that interesting story that's not just going to give you laughter from start to finish, but a whole new reason to believe in love, relationships, even second chances. The movie comes out on Christmas Day and will have a showcase internationally in January, please stay tuned for that especially those who are in North America. For those who are in the Philippines, make sure you've got Broken Hearts Trip as part of your MMFF 2023 Holiday watch list. It'll be doubly fun if you get your family and friends with you, after all, a happy movie won't hurt especially during the Christmas and New Year's Day. They promise you, it'll be fun with the right amount of love in between.

This is produced by BMC Films and Smart Films.

BIG NIGHT: A Feisty, Funny Entry for the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival

It’s been a while since Direk Jun Lana came out with a film but this one produced by Cignal Entertainment, IdeaFirst Company, October Train Films and Quantum Films would certainly ruffle feathers as the topic delves on the governments drug war that cost so many lives. It would be interesting to see how they would be able to tell a story about it especially when this topic in particular is very pointed politically. Watched it a few days ago in Gateway Mall as part of the press screening, you could say it’s a dark dramedy. With award winning actor Christian Bables on the lead role, it made the gay spin effective; and put the point across without people realizing how serious this is. This is also their official entry for this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

BIG NIGHT usually is coined from the events that gay bars in this part of the world do when they let it all out. It’s the evening where they make all the grand production numbers and let hell hath fury when it comes to adult entertainment/male pageants. This is where Christian’s character “Dharna” also works as his partner Zeus played by Nico Antonio joins these pageants as he dreams to win some day. Dharna also works in the beauty industry (owns a shack salon) but has unfortunately found himself reported in a "watch list". That entails being hunted down or killed, even if he isn’t involved in it. This starts the quest to clear his name, a chase that might prove lethal as he's seen a couple downed just because they're on it. He needed to hurry though because chances are, he could be next. Here, he hopes to live another day. The story also involves a lot of interesting characters, an ensemble of actors with the likes of Eugene Domingo, Gina Alajar, Ms. Janice de Belen, Ricky Davao, Ms. Gina Pareño, Nico Antonio, Allan Paule, Soliman Cruz, Martin del Rosario, Awra Briguela, my friend VJ Mendoza, Cedrick Juan, Ogie Diaz, Ms. Sue Prado. and best actor John Arcilla.

Christian says “When I watched this, I thought it wasn’t me. The work we do with the director and co actors are different, it changes you to become the other person, and I think that’s why this is good! I had a hard time doing the ambulance scene physically, I think I lost 5 pounds (he kids). If I win awards for this I’d gladly accept it, but whatever happens I’m already happy that you didn’t see me as Christian but just Dharna on screen.”

Direk Jun Lana took us on a ride, bringing real scenes of poverty, family, religion, community, corruption, society and heartbreak. This movie made me feel very sad, to see how things could be, to make something so evil become just a norm. He put it out there for us to discuss, the interpretation is left to the ones who watches it. The musical scoring in different scenes will haunt you a bit, effective and makes you feel like it was you involved in the scene. John Arcilla’s scenes is on another dimension, it was crazy and unusual, and Christian’s reaction to that was gold (you'll know more about it if you watch the movie!).

Miss Janice adds “People need to see other people go out in the streets, in malls and watch movies again. It’s okay but of course with proper protocols, we need to learn to live with this and try to live normally.”

Perci Intalan, Atty. Joji Alonzo, Isabelle Santillan was also in the screening. Miss Isabelle says “We’re very excited about the film because this is the first time Cignal is sending an entry for the MMFF.”

Atty Joji says “Jun and Perci asked me to co produce this and I hope you like this, if not please be kind.” she jokes.

Perci says “Thank you to everyone, to our partners, this was a passion project in 2019 and we were able to produce it during lockdown. Please, spread the word!”

Here are excerpts of the interview we had with them right after the screening, enjoy! 

 

BIG NIGHT is part of the Metro Manila Film Festival, and according to Direk Jun there will be a sequel. I’d love to see that, because this movie just begs for more. It’s organic, funny, and you get what they’re doing the scenes itself because it's so relatable, it talks about what is happening in current Philippine society. I remember Direk Jun mentioned that this may not be fully understood by foreign audiences because this was made for FILIPINOS. Also, there would be several scenes that would be Easter egg moments for you, and they left it to your interpretation. I'd love to see this again during MMFF and see how audiences would react to it. I sincerely loved how they presented the message, and I won't expect less because this is a Jun Lana film. It makes you want to talk about it, and it makes you think.

See you on theaters this MMFF 2021!

Watch Chito Roño’s Signal Rock

Watching this R18 film Signal Rock on Pista ng Pelikula season was nice, it felt good. It’s a bit dragging on some parts but essential to build up certain highlights of the film. It’s sad, but has some funny parts, implicating real life.

The premise is real, some parts of the country have no signal, especially the islands (we have 7,107 islands anyway). Christian Bables plays a young lad from the province, who just like people you and I know have relatives who work overseas. Custom sometimes dictates they (in his case his sister) need to send money back home so they too could live comfortably, or at least survive in a place with measly income, mostly no work, but the plot is, they can only call and talk to her in one place, that thing they call Signal Rock. Bables who plays Intoy only uses an old 5110 phone with an antenna that has a fork latched to it.

Intoy lives in a small community, where everyone knows everyone. The place wreaks of an old school provincial setup, like dancing in the plaza, usual brawls. Somewhere there’s a love story there too. His sister gets in trouble, domestic violence, can’t even go home or get help either. Poor as a rat he’s as helpless to even ask for help, and even he knows all the women in his island only go work in far places so they could trip on some old joe and get married to get out of poverty. Conflict then starts when he’s set to prove their financial ability to take care of the kid and his sister.

I don’t want to spoil things for you but this talks about what happens to Filipinos and if their lives caught up in a cycle of poverty, how they think of ways to get out of it. It also talks of the struggles keeping relationships, the ones that break, plus the ones that still feels human. It’s a treat to see an easy film during PPP, in a way this does that.

Please note of the performance of Joel Saracho, he should get a supporting role award.

This is Chito Roño’s film, distributed by Regal Films. I applaud Christian Bables’ portrayal, but is this enough to get him a best actor role? You must find out for yourself and watch this during Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino slated August 15 - 22, 2018. Everything must have a good ending, this has got one, I guess.

There is a lack of superstar artists in this film but the cast surely made up for it.

Direk Chito Roño said after the screening “I hope our little sacrifice would at least make you willing to spread the word about our film, after the movies I had in the past, I now learned to distribute the movie well now especially with Regal. Thank you for the help Roselle Monteverde.”

Christian Bables also went in front after the screening and said “I hope you help us with this film, you have seen how much hardships we have had in making this film. I hope you ask your relatives in the province to ask for this be shown in movie theatres even after the festival. Thank you!”

There must be a subliminal message here, they must have been sponsored by Nokia, watch the movie and see why.

KUMAGCOW

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The IDEAFIRST Company Artist Management

It looks like a new wave of talents is coming your way via The IDEAFIRST Company. Now they won't be just producing shows for TV5 but putting up The IDEAFIRST Company Artist Management means they'll be handling in house artists, a range of Directors to be part of a whole plethora of talents made to cater and complement what the content creators from The IDEAFIRST Company is already doing. 

Perci Intalan says "We are excited, it's like coming of age, exciting times, and it's interesting. Storytellers are already getting fame, social media makes them celebrities just like in Hollywood. It's a sign that the formula is changing, the good story, the good cast is now appreciated. When we started the company, we wanted artistry to be the heart of the business. We expanded beyond production and now it goes in different ways, this is in the heart of IDEAFIRST Company."

7 of the brightest Directors have banded together and will be part of the Dominic Lim, Ivan Payawal, Mikp Livelo, Prime Cruz, Sigrid Bernardo, Perci Intalan and Jun Lana. This will mean they will line produce for the big studios and represent these celebrity Directors and manage them accordingly. We will support them, tell them the next step, Directors and writers don't know hownto represent themselves so we are empowering them even if they are not doing projects under us, but with other production companies. Though they have different styles, they will still tell the stories how they want it. Some will get to work together, and will make this grow. Be prepared to see even more great stories, as they will be mentored by the people from IDEAFIRST Company specifically Perci Intalan and Jun Lana. 

Direk Jun Lana says "Managing talents came in at the right time. It's like a natural extension of what we do and we have them all work with us in past projects, you'll know about them later. When we created IDEAFIRST, we knew we had our hopes on the creative side so we really invested with great writers and storytellers. We will continue to be a production company and we will be content creators for other companies."

As mentioned earlier, they will also be managing talents and we got to see three of them. Cedrick Juan, Adrianna So and Christian Bables.

Cedrick Juan introduced himself and said "I came from FEU and UP theater companies, worked hard and had to represent myself. I personally talk to producers and tell them what I do in theater in the hopes of getting roles in films or TV. I am so glad I'm going to be taken cared of by IDEAFIRST, with a clear career path and vision of who I want to be as an artist."

I have watched how Malak So now Adrianna So grow as an artist in TV5 but now that she's out of the contract, and now joining IDEAFIRST she says "When they asked me what I'd like to achieve, I wanted to be a good girl. It was my first time to also be in the lead. We discussed changing my name (which she had long been wanting to do) but didn't get it at the time. (Now they did it and she's glad to keep the surname as she keeps it for her mom). I trust these people, I believe IDEAFIRST has a lot of things in mind that they could do for me. I am so glad to be with them."

Christian Bables adds "I've been asked by so many people and management companies but I know how they are like family to me. IDEAFIRST made me and I am so excited to see what the future holds for us."

Stay tuned for more of IDEAFIRST Company's artists in various shows, in different movies and channels.

KUMAGCOW

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