Controversial 'Twilight Dancers' holds successful premiere

The controversial movie "Twilight Dancers" had a successful premiere showing Monday night at Robinson's Galleria Monday night before a capacity crowd. The movie, which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last week, attracted a good audience who lined up to see the newest gay film directed by Mel Chionglo from the script of Ricky Lee.

It was the first time that Mel Chionglo is seeing the film after it was passed by the MTRCB. "Twilight Dancers" had to hurdle two X-ratings when it was presented for review to the MTRCB. On its second review, Centerstage Productions (headed by director Dante Mendoza) agreed to some deletions of certain scenes as well as some shortening of some scenes so that it would get an R-18 classification.

Direk Mel acknowledges that a movie like "Twilight Dancers," while it mirrors the stark reality in society, is certain to undergo rough sailing with the MTRCB. We presume that if direk Mel would have his way, he'd rather see the version of "Twilight Dancers" that was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The stars of "Twilight Dancers" attended the premiere showing. Present were Cherry Pie Picache, Lauren Novero, Allen Dizon, Arnel Ignacio, Kris Martinez, Terence Baylon,IC Mendoza, Joel Lamangan and Tyron Perez.

Also in attendance was Ricky Lee. Direk Mel's colleagues at the Directors Guild of the Philippines (DGPI) attended the premiere showing. Showing their support to direk Mel were Maryo J. de los Reyes, Gil Portes, and Carlitos Siguion Reyna.

Direk Maryo comments, "It's a powerful socio political film." This was the same comment the film received from Toronto. "Twilight Dancers" got a B-rating from the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB).

Assunta de Rossi, who is one of the featured stars of the forthcoming Centerstage Productions movie titled "Siquijor Mystic Island" attended the premiere, as well as Allan Paule (the lead actor in the first "Macho Dancer" film directed by Lino Brocka) and Coco Martin (the lead star of "Masahista"). Also seen at the premiere were talent managers Leo Dominguez and Popoy Caricativo, designer Frederick Peralta, among others.

In his opening remarks before the premiere, direk Mel while they agreed to certain deletions and shortening of some scenes, there are a lot more scenes one could feast his eyes into. One macho dancer did frontal nudity. There's also the kissing scene between Tyron Perez and William Martinez (who plays a gay OFW). Tyron had a butt exposure at the end of the movie.

But according to Arnell Ignacio, there were more scenes that were cut that's why his role was not too long. Same with newcomer Kris Martinez who plays major support to Tyron. His scenes were also cut. We also see him in just a few scenes. When we asked him to comment, he declined to say anything.

Cherry Pie Picache gave another award-winning performance is her role as Madame Loca, who manipulates the lives of the macho dancers in her hands. She's evil personified. You would want to kill her because she's so evil.

We admire Tyron's derring-do in his portrayal of a macho dancer although there were some scenes where he seems awkward and tentative. Otherwise, we would give him more than a passing mark for his performance. He managed to hold his own opposite Cherry Pie and that's good enough considering he's a newcomer and "Twilight Dancers" is the most daring role he has done so far. He did well in his confrontation scene with Cherry towards the end of the movie.

The movie is now being shown in theaters nationwide and we do hope moviegoers would go and watch it. Sharon cries as movie with Aga is shelved

We texted Megastar Sharon Cuneta to get an update regarding her movie with Aga Muhlach for Star Cinema that was supposed to have started filming last week of August as we wrote here in The FREEMAN a few weeks back.

Sharon says: "I am very sad that we both waited a whole year for a great script. We were given a couple of stories but in the end, Star Cinema decided that Aga and I do our movie together next year. Each of us will be given our own solo projects. Mine will be with Chito Roño, and if plans don't change, we will film for a couple of weeks in Europe.

"Aga and I were just looking forward too working together. Puwede akong magalit, mainis or magtampo, but I understand that Star Cinema wanted the best for us because 'Kung Ako Na Lang Sana' was such a monster hit, and we will have to measure up to the standards it had set for our team-up."

Sharon and Aga were so downhearted after learning of the decision of Star Cinema. In fact, Sharon admitted she had been crying for a few days now. There goes another year down the drain with no project being finished. The megastar she has four projects lined up for now but she can't talk about it. But she's reading two scripts and she's waiting for a third one.

"But it was my Aga project I was so looking forward to. I am praying for a great story for us both next year," says Sharon to end her text message to us. Donna Cruz is pregnant!

The last time we had the chance to talk to our former alaga Donna Cruz was last July when she called up us to greet us on our birthday. That time, Donna mentioned to us that she and her husband Yong Larrazabal were planning to have another baby. Well, the good news is that Donna's wish has been granted. She's now one month pregnant and is expecting her third baby come May 2007.

Donna and Yong had long been planning to have another baby before they move in to their mansion that seems to be taking an eternity to finish. Hopefully by the time their new bundle of joy is born next year, Donna and Yong would have been able to finally move in to the mansion on top of the mountain.

Know more about Donna's infanticipating in her column here in The FREEMAN come Sunday.