CEB gives ‘Kamkam’ Grade A rating

CEBU, Philippines - The Cinema Evaluation Board recently gave a Grade “A” to the film “Kamkam (Greed).” CEB cited the inspired performances of its ensemble, the intelligent direction, the relevant story/script and the topnotch technicals.

Consequently, Heaven’s Best Entertainment, producer of “Kamkam,” got the confirmation for the possibility of an international premiere for their “Kamkam” in a prestigious A-list film festival abroad, although the organizer requested that details be withheld as a matter of policy.

Rated R-16

Due to the film’s sensitive theme and scenes (though executed  artistically),  MTRCB gave “Kamkam” an R -16 Without Cuts rating, thus allowing it to be shown in SM Cinemas.

Written by Palanca awardee Jerry Gracio and directed by a multi-awarded master Joel Lamangan, this is the story of an amorous, amoral thug  Johnny (Allen Dizon) who has three wives (Jean Garcia, Sunshine Dizon and Jackie Rice).

They live in a poverty-trodden community Sitio Camcam (from the Filipino word ‘kamkam’which means ‘grab,’ because the place was allegedly ‘grabbed’ by somebody from whoever.

The Johnny character (Allen) lords it over the place in wanton corruption and impunity. All these happen while the authorities are demolishing the community established by the so-called ‘professional squatters and land-grabbers.’ Of course, the young children suffer most the consequences of such conflict.

Absolute corruption destroys

“‘Kamkam’ is a study on the effects of corruption engendered by a patriarchal system upon the poor people. Absolute power corrupts and destroys relationships within the family and the community,” Gracio quips.

Even the love lives of the young are affected by the turmoil in Sitio Camcam, as depicted by the young actors of GMA—Joyce Ching and Hiro Peralta; Rita De Guzman and Lucho Ayala.

The old reliable actors in the Lamangan stable give flesh and blood to the other residents of the God-forsaken sitio: Emilio Garcia, Jaime Pebanco, Kerbie Zamora, Tony Mabesa, along with talented newbies Athena Bautista and Zeke Sarmenta.

Complex

“‘Kamkam’ is a very complex story of a family which thrives on the culture of corruption in a poverty-stricken community... One of the movie’s highlights is the confrontation among the three women of Allen’s while the demolition is happening, amidst a rotten system of governance... I can assure you: This movie we’ve just done is a relevant and significant one,” Direk  Lamangan says with full conviction.

Sadly, just a little over a month ago, the location used for the shoot—Barangay Aplaya in Kawit, Cavite, was razed down by fire, five days before  “Kamkam” could even wrap up. Now, the said locale is gone, but is immortalized in this movie as the fictional God-forsaken Sitio Camcam.

A Heaven’s Best Entertainment presentation, “Kamkam” starts showing in choice cinemas throughout the Philippines on July 9. (FREEMAN)