Planning a zombie outbreak

MANILA, Philippines - Who knew that a tiny team of writers would be able to pull off one of the kookiest zombie outbreaks in independent cinema? The comedic trio of Jade Castro, Raymond Lee, and Michiko Yamamoto are at it again as they unleash all hell with their rib-tickling serving of animated corpses in drag in Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington.

The film is about Remington, a boy cursed to be gay for the rest of his life after he makes fun of a grieving homosexual at a cemetery. Add a sci-fi twist, a coming-of-age love story, and a serial killer on the loose and you have a recipe for pure camp that would make its audiences shriek, “Awaaard!”

Fans of the horror-comedy genre could start making cross-references to flicks such as Shaun of the Dead and Drag Me to Hell, but Zombadings' beginnings are, according to Raymond, much more rooted in reality than the fantastic. “It was triggered by an actual incident that happened while I was walking in Lucban. This young boy called me ‘bakla’ in a mocking tone. It led me to think of a funny ‘what if?’ scenario. What if I cursed the boy?”

Kerbie, Roderick, and Martin take a break in between takes.

Raymond, Jade, Michiko, and the rest of their eight-piece production team, Origin8 Media, put their heads together as they went to and from Lucban to make the film. “We wanted to shoot in Lucban since the story was inspired there,” says Jade. “The production took almost two years. It was supposed to take one, but since this is our first film under Origin8, we wanted to perfect it.”

In true indie fashion, they did everything from writing the script to production and even distribution and promotion. Their team is currently holding a series of advanced screenings that have been generating positive responses as evidenced by the rip-roaring laughter at the CCP Main Hall during its premiere last July 23. Although some backlash has been generated online, Jade is optimistic. “If the film has an advocacy, it’s promoting love and understanding towards others. I’m hoping that people are open-minded enough. People can pick up whatever from the movie, but I want them to enjoy it and be entertained by it.”

Jade confesses to being a big fan of the film’s lead, Roderick Paulate. “He’s a very in-tune actor. He’s very courageous and not afraid to get physical. He’s also very warm. That’s why I think he works well in gay roles.” Joining Roderick are Eugene Domingo, Janice de Belen, and a surprisingly hilarious Martin Escudero, who plays the titular character.

Kerbie Zamora (left) and Martin Escudero (right) rehearse a scene with director Jade Castro.

With the success of Ang Babae sa Septic Tank and word of nationwide releases of other entries from this year’s Cinemalaya film festival, it seems that it's perfect timing for Zombadings to go in for the wave. “The success of Ang Babae sa Septic Tank is very encouraging to us filmmakers because we don’t always have to conform to a set of rules or perceived notions of what will sell. These films aren’t typically products of mainstream cinema. It’s a lesson for all. It shows that you don’t have to stick to formula and you’ll always find your audience,” says Jade.

After a well-received debut as one of the closing films in Cinemalaya 2011, Zombadings is set to invade screens nationwide on Aug. 31.

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Catch the advanced screening of Zombadings, sponsored by Keratin Complex, on  August 30, at 7:30 p.m., Cinema 9, in SM Megamall!

Roderick Paulate transforms into a Zombading.