Alex Vincent Medina and Kiko Matos in a scene from 'Babagwa'.
With the conclusion of its recent theatrical run and its surprise inclusion in the little promoted Quezon City Film Festival, Cinemalaya 2013 New Breed box office hit “Babagwa (The Spider’s Lair)” is off to Poland and the US where it will be in competition in two prestigious international film festivals.
The provocative film about a con artist who swindles lonely gay men and matrons using a fake Facebook profile will compete at the Warsaw International Film Festival in its section for first and second feature films. “Babagwa” is the sophomore feature of independent filmmaker Jason Paul Laxamana.
It will also be screened on October 16 and 19 at the Hawaii International Film Festival where it will vie for the Halekulani Golden Orchid Award in the Narrative Category. Earlier this month, “Babagwa” also competed in the Vancouver International Film Festival in Canada.
Laxamana admits to being elated at being selected in these film festivals. “I’m very happy and excited, of course. I made ‘Babagwa’ without thinking of foreign festivals. Local audience lang talaga ang main target ko. Nung nalaman ko na kasali siya sa international filmfests tapos competing pa, mas lalo akong naging excited kasi makakapupunta ako sa mga bansang na hindi ko pa napupuntahan,” the young director told InterAksyon.
As one of the surprise hits of Cinemalaya 2013, “Babagwa” won the Best Supporting Actor award for Joey Paras, who charmed critics and audiences with his compelling portrayal of a Facebook scammer in cahoots with Alex Vincent Medina’s lead character.
Although it has concluded its local commercial run where it was released in both R-16 and R-18 versions, “Babagwa” still has an upcoming special screening on October 17, 6:30PM at the Natividad Fajardo Auditorium of De La Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila.
Produced by Quantum Films, the film also stars Alma Concepcion, Chanel Latorre, Kiko Matos, Nico Antonio, Sunshine Teodoro and Garry Lim.
After local theatrical run, ‘Babagwa’ headed to Warsaw, Hawaii film festivals
Source: InterAksyon.com (October 11, 2013 at 07:46PM)
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