Manila Gay Guy

Watched the celebrated indie movie Selda a week or so ago, and glad it’s coming back for a rerun at Robinsons Galleria IndieSine on March 5-11. Go watch! (For more info on the move, read Selda’s PR below.)

True to form to their themes of love and its different vagaries, filmmakers Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos follow up their highly-acclaimed debut film ILUSYON (Rated A 2005, Cinemanila IFF 2006, Pusan IFF 2006) with the tragic tale of Rommel in Selda.

SELDA tells the story of the friendship that develops between two prison inmates, Rommel (Sid Lucero) and Esteban (Emilio Garcia), who acts as his friend and protector. After their jail term, however, their attempt to define and explore the boundaries of their relationship leads to tragedy.

Selda is a return to classicist forms and delivers a stylish, deliberately-paced treatise on love. At moments strange, Selda is a sublime and disquieting portrait of a young man whose search for happiness, innocence and true love is laden with guilt and doubt.

Starring Ara Mina, Emilio Garcia and Sid Lucero with Michael De Mesa, Allan Paule, Soliman Cruz, Ping Medina, Raul Morit and Hector Macaso.

SOME REVIEWS:

“A gem of a daring work”
-Clodualdo Del Mundo, screenwriter, Batch ‘81, Kisapmata

“Sid Lucero gives one of the best performances of the year and Emilio Garcia gives the best performance of his career. Sid, Emilio and Ara Mina complete the story of this powerful movie on how it is to be imprisoned by social dictates”
–Butch Francisco, The Philippine Star

“Powerful and disturbing. An outstanding performance from Sid Lucero”
–Raymond Red, Cannes Short Film Winner

“(An) outstanding film…Sid Lucero, Emilio Garcia, Ara Mina and Michael De Mesa deliver powerful performances. A riveting, must-see drama.”
-Rito Asilo, Philippine Daily Inquirer

“Selda is a beautifully filmed masterpiece. Sid Lucero, Emilio Garcia and Ara Mina are brilliant”
–Christine Dayrit, CEB Chair

“One of the more compelling movies released of late…Villaluna and Ramos know how to frame a shot to catch the viewer’s attention…the cast are at the peak of their acting prowess…a subdued potential love triangle brews with deadly sexual tension… the last line (in Selda) still echoes in our head months after the disc faded out.”
-Juaniyo Arcellana, The Philippine Star

“Engrossing! Wonderful performances”
–Mario Hernando, Urian Manunuri

“An intelligent and thought-provoking film. Sid and Emilio are superb. Cinematography is great. Michael De Mesa is excellent…”
–Dr.Jaime Ang, Gawad Tanglaw

“A disquieting examination of connected tragedies…quite versed in the nuances of cinematic language…somber and substantial…a solid and darkly potent work…expertly photographed…Sid Lucero is simply electrifying, Emilio Garcia is a revelation.”
–Oliver Pulumbarit, Philippine Daily Inquirer

“An engrossing story. Villaluna and Ramos manifest their keen visual sense as they have done in Ilusyon. Another noteworthy achievement is in the performances. Very impressive.”
–Cinema Evaluation Board

“Sid is the best young actor of this generation. His wonderful performance in Selda shows his range… and it has been sometime since we got to see Michael de Mesa in a good movie. His role (in Selda) might just win him his next acting trophy.”
–Prof. Ed Pangilinan, Manila Times

“Sid is definitely one of the most competent young actors we have today and his sensitivity and intensity shines in Selda…and Emilio projects the right sensibility in portraying a quiet enigmatic man who’s palpably smouldering inside. If only for their fine performances, Selda is already worthseeing.”
–Mario Bautista, Film Critic

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