It\u2019s time to go regional, \u201d quipped Filipino filmmaker Joselito \u201cJay\u201d Altarejos.<\/b>
\nIt\u2019s time to go regional, \u201d quipped Filipino filmmaker Joselito \u201cJay\u201d Altarejos.
Best known for his Cinemalaya-winning movie \u201cKasal, \u201d Altarejos teamed up with Taiwanese producer Jay Lin of Portico Productions for his latest film, \u201cTale of the Lost Boys.\u201d
Altarejos told the Inquirer that he had met Lin two years ago, after a screening of \u201cKasal, \u201d at the 2nd Taiwan International Queer Film Festival. Back then, they already talked about the possibility of a collaboration, especially since \u201cour countries are close neighbors.\u201d
\u201cIt\u2019s time for talents from the Asian region to explore the possibilities of working together, \u201d he said.
Shooting in Taiwan was \u201cheaven, \u201d Altarejos recalled. \u201cI think this is my biggest production so far. Even my Filipino cinematographer Cesca Lee felt spoiled. The Taiwanese cast and crew were very professional. Always cheerful.\u201d
In a lot of ways, Altarejos\u2019 film tells the story of a cross-cultural encounter, too. A Filipino mechanic (played by Oliver Aquino) meets an indigenous student (Ta Su) while traveling in Taiwan.
A tale of \u201cinstant friendship is always interesting, \u201d Altarejos explained. \u201cThis film also explores questions of identity. The Filipino is looking for his mom, who abandoned him to work in Taiwan. Meanwhile, his Taiwanese friend is wrestling with his sexuality. I also wanted to tell a story of friendship between a straight guy and a gay man.\u201d
As the unlikely pals embark on a road trip, \u201cthey learn more about each other, as well as about themselves, \u201d he related.
The film\u2019s concept, Altarejos recounted, \u201cresulted from my friendship with Jay [Lin] . We also traveled together, to visit the Atayal tribe, where most aboriginal gays are still in the closet.\u201d
The Philippine-Taiwanese coproduction will be released in Taiwan later this year, but its premiere is set today at the 26th Rainbow Reel Tokyo, the leading LGBT film festival in Japan, \u201d he said.
Today\u2019s screening is set at the Cinemart Shinjuku. Another showing for \u201cLost Boys\u201d is scheduled at Spiral Hall in Minato-Ku on July 15.
The Rainbow Reel event was previously known as the Tokyo International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.
Ongoing until July 17, the Rainbow Reel also features another Filipino film, Samantha Lee\u2019s lesbian drama \u201cBaka Bukas, \u201d topbilled by Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Louise delos Reyes (with screenings on July 16 and 17 at Spiral Hall) .
The fest\u2019s website calls \u201cBaka Bukas\u201d a \u201ccelebration, an ode to the vast and universal idea of love, to the multiplicity of humanity.\u201d It hails the Cinema One winner as a \u201cvisually stylish narrative of inclusivity, acceptance, friendship and love.\u201d<\/p>\n

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