'Sigaw" To Debut In Hollywood Screamfest

Regal Entertainment's 2004 MMFF entry, 'Sigaw' starring Richard Gutierrez, Angel Locsin, Iza Calzado and Jomari Yllana, is set to frighten Hollywood and European moviegoers, as it has been officially selected to premiere in North America at the Screamfest LA International Film Festival from October 14 to 23 at the Loews Universal Studios Cinemas along the Universal City Walk.

Regal Entertainment's 2004 Metro Manila Film Festival-Philippines entry, "Sigaw" is now ready to frighten Hollywood and European moviegoers. Starring Richard Gutierrez, Angel Locsin, Iza Calzado and Jomari Yllana, "Sigaw" has been officially selected to premiere in North America at the Screamfest LA International Film Festival from October 14 to 23 at the Loews Universal Studios Cinemas along the Universal City Walk. Screamfest LA is the same festival where the original Japanese version of "The Grudge" and the Korean Film "A Tale of Two Sisters" had their respective premieres before making it big in Hollywood.

The festival is being organized by Rachel Belofsky (Programmer/Director), a very well-known marketing executive for the Cannes film market. "Sigaw," which was photographed and directed by Yam Laranas, is now internationally known as "The Echo." Its warm reception in Hollywood was made possible by Roy Lee (executive producer of "The Ring," "The Ring 2" and "The Grudge" remakes) when he discovered "The Echo" ("Sigaw") through an article written in Variety by Philippine correspondent Tessa Jazmines. Roy Lee, who is part of the advisory board of Screamfest LA, fell in love with "The Echo."

Direk Yam Laranas is very thankful to Regal Films producer Lily Monteverde for giving him "Sigaw" and for allowing him to do the movie. And because of "Sigaw," Yam just signed up recently with the biggest talent agency in the world, the International Creative Management, to be part of its roster of talents, the first time such a privilege has been extended to a Filipino filmmaker by ICM. ICM, through agent Renee Tab, will now officially represent Yam in Hollywood. Representation includes dealings with the major studios, advertising agencies, music video producers, et cetera.

ICM's deal with Yam was made possible and indirectly brokered by Yam's very good friend, Roy Lee. Some of the actors in the roster of ICM include Richard Gere, Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Wynona Rider, Sharon Stone, Goldie Hawn, Steve Martin, Danny Glover, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Val Kilmer, Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman, Meg Ryan, just to name a few.

"Someone said that ang lakas ng 'Sigaw,' umabot sa Hollywood and I think that's true. We did a horror film. Sinasabi ko nga na hindi ito ang pinakamagandang pelikulang Pilipino na ginawa pero may tinamaan, tinamaan ng malakas kaya napansin," said Yam in an interview.

"We are getting good reviews. 3 ½ star out of 5, 8 out of 10 stars, grabe iyon for a Filipino film. We are lucky that 'Sigaw' has been accepted at the Screamfest International Horror Film Festival. This is the biggest genre of horror films in Hollywood, so you can say also that this is also the Hollywood premiere because it is a filmfest organized by the biggest names in the horror genre," added Yam.

Yam also gave credit to his stars who have been getting praises for their performance. "They are saying that if not for my stars, 'Sigaw' would not have been that good. I totally agree since they are all very good. 'Sigaw' is one horror movie that remains with you kahit na umuwi ka na and that is also true. And I feel so happy that we are getting this attention as I also hope that this break that is given to 'Sigaw' will also pave the way for other Filipino films to be noticed as well," he said.

* * *

Do you still remember former sexy star Vida Verde? A friend of Vida is appealing for help for the sexy star who is suffering from breast cancer. She had already been operated on and her breasts had been removed. She was earlier featured in "Showbiz Stripped." Her friend is hoping that she could solicit financial assistance for Vida's medication.

"Hindi pa sana siya puwedeng operahan kasi buntis siya ng three months pero nagkaroon siya ng miscarriage kaya natuloy na ang operasyon," said Vida's friend. The sexy star went under the knife last July and now she's going into chemotherapy which entails a rough amount of P15,000 per session.

But despite her condition, Vida has remained cheerful and is bravely facing her ordeal. She still stays in her house in Tuguegarao with her 13-year-old daughter. Her friend is hoping to seek the help of GMA Kapuso Foundation and the program "Wish Ko Lang" for whatever assistance they could give her.