Arnell Ignacio does indie in "Bola"

Comedian and TV host Arnell Ignacio did the indie film titled "Bola" about six months ago. The film had a premiere showing at the UP Adarna Theater last Saturday. The producers had wanted to enter the film in a festival but dropped the idea after realizing that a film festival screening of indie films is limited and might not attract a good audience. "Bola," which stars newcomer Kenneth Salva, is set for release on February 15.

 Arnell thought that "Bola" is a comedy film that's why he accepted it. Besides, he liked the script written by Jerry Gracio, who is a Palanca awardee and won an award for several scripts he had written, one of them is "Emir" which was directed by Chito S. Roño.

"Noong una ang akala ko talaga ay comedy. Para kasing nakakatawa ang kwento na may baklang matanda tapos dasal ng dasal. Eh yung sumulat winner pala sa Palanca Awards. Ang yabang ko naman kung tanggihan ko ang project," said Arnell.

During the shoot it was then that Arnell realized that "Bola" is a dramatic movie. "I got tired of the crying scenes. And there were plenty of them. Nakakapagod. I didn't realize maraming dramatic scenes ang movie. I sure hope I did justice to the role."

In the movie, Arnell (who is playing an aging gay designer) had fallen in love many times but he doesn't go bed with any of them. But when he met the character played by Kenneth, he let his defenses down and allowed himself to fall in love with the guy. "Mabait kasi siya at malambing," says Arnell of Kenneth's character.

He has a kissing scene with Kenneth in the film, plus a love scene. "In our kissing scene, it was Kenneth who initiated it. I didn't want it at first but when he kissed me, I gave in to his advances. The next scene showed me arranging flowers. Ang matandang bakla, tuwang-tuwa sa nangyari," he said with a laugh.

It was a challenge for Arnell to play the gay role in "Bola" because it's a non-conventional portrayal. He is a subdued with his emotions. He is not the screaming faggot stereotype. "Our director didn't want to be loud. His approach in drama is quiet, not hysterical. Hindi tumataas ang boses, walang hysterics. Hindi naman ako dramatic actor kaya emote-emote lang ako sa mga dramatic scenes. Mas nahirapan ako sa role ko kasi quiet ang atake sa mga mga eksena," he related.

"Bola" is a close look at some behind-the-basketball scenes at barangay level; a tongue-in-cheek take on corruption, deception, revenge—things not taken openly in a polite society. But one may take this small town story to a higher level as he pleases.

"Bola" stars newcomer Kenneth Salva as Lester, the star player of their community basketball team, while Arnell Ignacio (Pandy) is the local couturier-turned-manager who becomes obsessed with Lester. It also stars Sofia Valdez as Lester's sweetheart. Mowelfund film graduate Lem Lorca directs.

Kenneth is very happy to have been chosen to play the lead role in "Bola." It's his first big role and he's hoping that the public would like the movie as well as his performance.

He used to be a basketball player when he was in Davao but he's not a varsity player. He only gets to play basketball with his friends although his knowledge of basketball came in handy when he got the role of Lester, the star player in the film. He knows that "Bola" has some sensitive scenes like a kissing scene and a love scene, both with Arnell and his coach. "Kung ano lang po ang kaya ko, yun lang naman po ang ipinagawa nila sa akin," says Lester.

"Maganda naman ang kuwento ng movie. Medyo na-conscious lang ako sa ginagawa ko," he said referring to the kissing scene he did with Arnell.

Kenneth is also in the cast of the new GMA soap My Beloved which stars Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, where he plays an angel of death. "Pag may namamatay sa kwento, kami ang sumusundo." He has done two taping days for My Beloved and he hopes there'd be more. He is hoping to make good in his chosen career as an actor and he hopes to get more acting assignments. He is being managed by movie writer Gorgy Rula.

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