Cinemalaya X entry ‘Kasal’ tackles gender equality

Film and TV director Jay Altarejos, who is known for doing gay-themed movies like “Ang Lihim ni Antonio,” “Ang Lalaki sa Parola” and “Unfriend,” returns to the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival with his entry titled “Kasal.” This is his second time to join Cinemalaya. His first entry was the father-and-son drama titled “Pink Halo-Halo” in the sixth edition of Cinemalaya.

“Kasal” is an entry in the Director’s Showcase category. Direk Jay considers joining this year’s edition of the prestigious indie festival as very memorable because Cinemalaya is marking its tenth year.

Why did he choose “Kasal” as his entry? “I have always wanted to make a mature gay relationship story and Cinemalaya, I think, is ready for that. The first time I joined Cinemalaya, they thought, I’d submit a gay-themed story.  But I didn’t. What I like about Cinemalaya is the idea that the viewers are open to the form and content of any kind of film. Kasal’s backdrop is about marriage but it talks about infidelity among same-sex couples. I want to show that the experiences of same-sex couples are not different from those of heterosexual couples,” said Direk Jay.

The idea for “Kasal” had been on his mind seven years ago but even if it was, the situations depicted in the movie are still happening up to now. The members of the LGBT community still have a sense of denial about their identity.

Direk Jay admitted experiencing problems when it comes to finances before he finally finished the movie. Cinemalaya only gives P500,000 as grant and the producers themselves have to shell out more money since there’s no way one could do an indie film with such a modest amount.

“As always the difficult part is finding funds for the film. My friends and I have shelled out money for the production. Most of my cast and staff worked pro bono. What is heartening is that it is not only in the film ‘Kasal’ that we felt and experienced the sense of commitment but even in real life. A lot of us involved in ‘Kasal’ got married to the project so it would be finished,” he said.

Cast in the movie is Oliver Aquino, a former member of the teen group Anime on ABS-CBN and Arnold Reyes, a stage and TV actor who won the Cinemalaya best supporting actor for the movie “Astig.”

“Oliver and Arnold are dedicated actors. Both are good. They fit the characters they portrayed and have good chemistry and contrast,” explained Direk Jay.

What message does the movie wish to convey to the movie-going public in general and the LGBT community in particular? “I hope that the public and the LGBT community like the film. The film advocates for people to define the meaning of commitment for them. I also wish to share that we as a people, not just the LGBT community, should all work and fight for equality. Unless everyone is given equal rights, like the opportunity to get married to anyone, then we can’t say we are in a free country,” the director intoned.

Extensive research was done by Direk Jay for the story of “Kasal.” A believer in the concept if Found Story Filmmaking, he said the first part in writing a film is through research. It should be based on an experience, an event or a phenomenon.

“Kasal” was based on a true experience that happened to his friend. “They fought and questioned the essence of his relationship with his partner when they attended a wedding and when he felt he was being denied of his presence due to societal and familial conservatism,” Direk Jay said on the background story of “Kasal.”

While “Kasal” is obviously a gay-themed movie, he believes even the general audience can relate to the story.  “Love, commitment and infidelity are universal concepts that anyone can relate to.  These are the issues being tackled in the film. We all know what it is like to love, to be cheated and to feel the pain no matter who we are,” he said.

He doesn’t have high expectations for “Kasal.” Just the fact that it was accepted as an entry in Cinemalaya was good enough reason for him to be happy. “Kasal” is competing with Joel Lamangan’s “Hustisya,” Carlos Siguion Reyna’s “Hari ng Tondo,” Mike Tuviera’s “The Janitor,” and GB Sampedro’s “Separado.”

“I just want to do a good, drama movie. And I’d like to thank Cinemalaya for giving me that chance,” he ended.

Cinemalaya is still ongoing at the CCP and in satellite venues like Greenbelt, Alabang Town Center, and Fairview Terraces Plaza. The awards night is set on August 10 at the CCP Main Theater at 7 p.m.