|
Daybreak,
from the burgeoning independent-film industry, lacks a
single top star, or the other usual ingredients for a
sure-fire blockbuster.
And in a
country where homosexuality in movies is routinely
reflected either in the stereotypical
supporting-character loyal best friend or for comic
relief, or both, it would not be altogether surprising
for a gay-oriented movie about two studly young males to
suffer the first-day, last-day fate in theaters.
But such
has not been the case for Daybreak, which unfolds
entirely in one place: a resthouse in Tagaytay and only
with two characters. The dramatic conflict—to break up
or continue their love affair—takes place in a single
night. William (Paolo Rivero, Live Show) and JP (Coco
Martin, Masahista) allow us to know their biggest lies
and the biggest truths... two people loving each other,
clinging to each other, betraying each other, testing
the fragility of their feelings.
The
movie is written by Charliebebs Gohetia and directed by
Adolfo B. Alix Jr., who has become a toast of the
independent-movie industry, churning out one indie film
to another.
Daybreak
has impressed Movie Television Review and Classification
Board reviewers, with acclaimed poet and literary writer
Mara Lanot, film teacher Fr. Nick Cruz and actress
Jackie Aquino giving it a unanimous R18 approval without
cuts, noting that the film boasts of outstanding
cinematography (by Albert Banzon) and acting by its lead
and only actors.
To
everyone’s surprise—not least the producer’s—the movie
has thus far become the most popular film to be screened
in Robinsons Movieworld’s IndieSine. In US terms,
Daybreak would perhaps be the equivalent of the
Oscar-winning
Brokeback
Mountain, to which it has been loosely compared.
Executive producer Noel Ferrer has no qualms in calling
Daybreak a gay movie, something that the execs
behind Brokeback Mountain avoided like the
plague. While the Oscar-winning picture was billed by
critics and the media as a gay cowboy movie, its
promoters maintained that Brokeback Mountain
isn’t just a gay movie, but basically a touching and
tender love story that just so happens between two men.
Obviously, the distinction was made so as not to
alienate homophobic moviegoers.
In the
case of Daybreak, the producers even concocted a
gimmick of having an erotic photo exhibit featuring the
two male actors, which has yet to see the light of day
because it was disapproved. Publicity shots released for
the film show the two in tender homoerotic scenes.
Meanwhile,
Brokeback Mountain’s featured
stars Heath Ledger and Jake Glyenhaal in somber poses,
not even facing each other.
Soundbites from the actors more than suggest that
Daybreak is indeed a sexy movie, maybe to hype more
interest in the movie among gays dying to see their, uhm,
acting ability. Paolo confirmed in an interview that he
indeed did a lot of sexy scenes in the movie, while Coco
announced that if people think his debut movie
Masahista was sexy, Daybreak is a whole lot
sexier. “Halos hubo’t hubad na!” he added.
The hype
seems to have worked because its run in Robinsons
Galleria has been extended, and it just opened in
Robinsons Ermita and Robinsons Bacolod. Daybreak
now holds the distinction of being the highest-grossing
IndieSine feature, outperforming last year’s record
holder Rome & Juliet (another gay-themed movie,
this time with lesbians).
Now I
don’t know which is responsible for the success of
Daybreak—its promotion as a gay movie, the gorgeous
lead actors’ teasing of how sexy the movie is, or the
merits of cinematography, acting, direction and script?
All I
can say is that it’s all of the above. And that makes a
successful movie. Not who is in it but what is in it.
After all, in an ideal world, that is what would spell
box-office success, whether the movie is gay-themed or
not. |
