With the last of the anti-covid measures being lifted, shops being reopened and people being able to walk through their hometowns without wearing masks all the time, we have to question what this new normal is. The concept itself suggests, one the one hand, a way back to the way things were, but also a different kind of awareness on the other hand. While the former certainly seems true for many, the latter is rather vague, with many societies, politicians and companies returning to their status quo, often repeating the same formula that has made things worse to begin with. When Filipino director Jun Robles Lana started making his new feature “Your Mother's Son”, the news of the being infected or killed by the virus was one horror next to the reports of people being shot by then-president Duterte's henchmen. Infamous for his provocative approach to his subjects and themes,...
- 11/22/2023
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Filipino filmmaker Jun Robles Lana is making his second appearance at Toronto International Film Festival with Your Mother’s Son, which is receiving its world premiere in the Centrepiece section.
Co-scripted by Lana and Elmer Gatchalian, the film tells the story of a hard-working mother and her delinquent son whose relationship is challenged when she invites one of her students to move into their home, so he can escape his violent father. Initially, it seems the son is suffering from a severe case of Oedipus complex, but as the film progresses, a more shocking tale of abuse of power and sexual dynamics begins to unfold.
Sue Prado (Barber’s Tales) plays the mother, with Kokoy de Santos (Gameboys) playing the son, and Elora Españo and Miggy Jimenez rounding out the cast. Lana, Perci Intalan and Ferdinand Lapuz produced the film through The IdeaFirst Company, Octobertrain Films, Quantum Films and Cineko Productions.
Co-scripted by Lana and Elmer Gatchalian, the film tells the story of a hard-working mother and her delinquent son whose relationship is challenged when she invites one of her students to move into their home, so he can escape his violent father. Initially, it seems the son is suffering from a severe case of Oedipus complex, but as the film progresses, a more shocking tale of abuse of power and sexual dynamics begins to unfold.
Sue Prado (Barber’s Tales) plays the mother, with Kokoy de Santos (Gameboys) playing the son, and Elora Españo and Miggy Jimenez rounding out the cast. Lana, Perci Intalan and Ferdinand Lapuz produced the film through The IdeaFirst Company, Octobertrain Films, Quantum Films and Cineko Productions.
- 9/9/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Stars: Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, Sid Lucero, Kokoy De Santos, Vin Abrenica, Gerard Acao, Rosh Barman, Kayley Carrigan, Enchong Dee | Written by Jim Flores, Will Fredo, Richard Somes | Directed by Richard Somes
A Special Forces operative suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder is discharged from the army due to his extreme medical condition. Finding employment as a security guard, his world is turned upside down when he finds himself embroiled in a different kind of urban war after a young woman seeks protection from a corrupt police death squad working for one of the most brutal drug cartels. As the pair continues to fight for their lives, the man must confront his inner demons and earn the redemption he desperately craves…
Set in the Philippines and opening with the kind of jungle-based action not scene since the 80s heyday of filmmakers like Teddy Page and Cirio H. Santiago – filmmakers who capitalised...
A Special Forces operative suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder is discharged from the army due to his extreme medical condition. Finding employment as a security guard, his world is turned upside down when he finds himself embroiled in a different kind of urban war after a young woman seeks protection from a corrupt police death squad working for one of the most brutal drug cartels. As the pair continues to fight for their lives, the man must confront his inner demons and earn the redemption he desperately craves…
Set in the Philippines and opening with the kind of jungle-based action not scene since the 80s heyday of filmmakers like Teddy Page and Cirio H. Santiago – filmmakers who capitalised...
- 8/31/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
"War isn't the world's fault. War is man's making." Raven Banner has revealed an official US trailer for an indie action film titled Triggered in English, from Filipino filmmaker Richard Somes. This trailer doesn't hold back! It's insanely gory and brutally violent. The film is premiering at the 2023 Locarno Film Festival underway now in Switzerland, with an expected release later this year in the US. Here's the festival's intro: Discharged from the army due to post-traumatic stress disorder, Miguel gets embroiled in a different kind of war when a drug peddler seeks his protection against a vigilante death squad. All the while he must confront his own demons in order to earn his redemption. Arjo Atayde stars as an Ex-Special Forces security guard who attempts to save the life of a woman who is being hunted by a corrupt police death squad working for a drug cartel. The Filipino action...
- 8/7/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Raven Banner Entertainment continues to rack up sales for Richard V. Somes’ action spectacle “Topakk.”
“Topakk”(“Trigger”) has been sold to Aud (South Korea), Superfine Films (India), Kinologistika (Cis and the Baltics) and Lighthouse (German-speaking Europe).
It’s not the end of good news, as the film – debuting its trailer and produced by Fusee, with Strawdogs Studio Production and Nathan Studios co-producing – is also set to bow at Locarno next week.
“It’s an amazing feeling. I have never imagined it,” admits the director.
In “Topakk,” which he co-wrote with Jim Flores and Will Fredo, Somes shows a man struggling with Ptsd. Discharged from the army, he finds himself in the middle of a different kind of conflict when a drug peddler seeks his protection against a vigilante death squad.
“I am really inspired by the 1980s action films. It all started with ‘First Blood’ or even [Arnold Schwarzenegger starrer] ‘Commando.
“Topakk”(“Trigger”) has been sold to Aud (South Korea), Superfine Films (India), Kinologistika (Cis and the Baltics) and Lighthouse (German-speaking Europe).
It’s not the end of good news, as the film – debuting its trailer and produced by Fusee, with Strawdogs Studio Production and Nathan Studios co-producing – is also set to bow at Locarno next week.
“It’s an amazing feeling. I have never imagined it,” admits the director.
In “Topakk,” which he co-wrote with Jim Flores and Will Fredo, Somes shows a man struggling with Ptsd. Discharged from the army, he finds himself in the middle of a different kind of conflict when a drug peddler seeks his protection against a vigilante death squad.
“I am really inspired by the 1980s action films. It all started with ‘First Blood’ or even [Arnold Schwarzenegger starrer] ‘Commando.
- 8/4/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Action thriller, “Trigger” from writer-director Richard Somes has wrapped production and is beginning sales at the European Film Market.
“Trigger” (aka “Tokakk”) tells the story of a lonely security guard (portrayed by Arjo Atayde) previously discharged from the military due to his post-traumatic stress disorder. He finds himself embroiled in a different kind of war when a young woman (Julia Montes) seeks his protection against a corrupt police death squad. While the pair fight for their lives, the man must confront his inner demons to earn his redemption.
The film also stars Arjo Atayde (“Cattleya Killer”), Julia Montes (“Brothers”), Sid Lucero (“The End of History”) and Kokoy De Santos (“Game Boy”) and is produced by Wilfredo C. Manalang of Fusee (the company that co-produced Cannes Camera d’Or prize-winner “Plan 75”), Somes of Strawdog Studio Production, Ria Atayde and Sylvia Sanchez from Nathan Studios and Michaelangelo Masangkay, co-owner of Toronto-based...
“Trigger” (aka “Tokakk”) tells the story of a lonely security guard (portrayed by Arjo Atayde) previously discharged from the military due to his post-traumatic stress disorder. He finds himself embroiled in a different kind of war when a young woman (Julia Montes) seeks his protection against a corrupt police death squad. While the pair fight for their lives, the man must confront his inner demons to earn his redemption.
The film also stars Arjo Atayde (“Cattleya Killer”), Julia Montes (“Brothers”), Sid Lucero (“The End of History”) and Kokoy De Santos (“Game Boy”) and is produced by Wilfredo C. Manalang of Fusee (the company that co-produced Cannes Camera d’Or prize-winner “Plan 75”), Somes of Strawdog Studio Production, Ria Atayde and Sylvia Sanchez from Nathan Studios and Michaelangelo Masangkay, co-owner of Toronto-based...
- 2/19/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Raven Banner Entertainment has boarded action thriller Trigger (Topakk), directed by the Philippines’ Richard Somes, to executive produce and handle international sales.
Currently in production, the film stars Arjo Atayde (Cattleya Killer), Julia Montes (Brothers), Sid Lucero (The End Of History) and Kokoy De Santos (Game Boy).
Wilfredo C. Manalang of Philippines production house Fusee is producing the film with Somes’ Strawdogs Studio Production, Ria Atayde and Sylvia Sanchez for Nathan Studios and Michaelangelo Masangkay and Fernando Henna for Toronto-based post sound house, Theo & Atlas Productions Inc.
Atayde plays a security guard previously discharged from the military due to post-traumatic stress disorder. He finds himself embroiled in a different kind of war when a young woman (Montes) seeks his protection against a corrupt police death squad.
Fusee previously co-produced Japanese drama Plan 75, which is Japan’s submission to the best international feature category of the Oscars. The company also...
Currently in production, the film stars Arjo Atayde (Cattleya Killer), Julia Montes (Brothers), Sid Lucero (The End Of History) and Kokoy De Santos (Game Boy).
Wilfredo C. Manalang of Philippines production house Fusee is producing the film with Somes’ Strawdogs Studio Production, Ria Atayde and Sylvia Sanchez for Nathan Studios and Michaelangelo Masangkay and Fernando Henna for Toronto-based post sound house, Theo & Atlas Productions Inc.
Atayde plays a security guard previously discharged from the military due to post-traumatic stress disorder. He finds himself embroiled in a different kind of war when a young woman (Montes) seeks his protection against a corrupt police death squad.
Fusee previously co-produced Japanese drama Plan 75, which is Japan’s submission to the best international feature category of the Oscars. The company also...
- 11/2/2022
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
The long-awaited Season 2 for hit Filipino Bl series, Gameboys, will premiere May 22, 2022 on Vivamax Plus.
Following on from their online relationship during the lockdown in Season 1, in Gameboys: The Movie and now Gameboys 2, Gavreel and Cairo are finally together in the same house. Much to Gav’s delight, Cairo has a slight change of plans with his move back to his province. Their romance is dialed up a notch but their love is put to the test by external forces striving to pull them apart.
Directed by Ivan Andrew Payawal, the series returns with its original cast members Kokoy de Santos, Elijah Canlas, Adrianna So, Kych Minemoto, Kyle Velino, and Miggy Jimenez.
Following on from their online relationship during the lockdown in Season 1, in Gameboys: The Movie and now Gameboys 2, Gavreel and Cairo are finally together in the same house. Much to Gav’s delight, Cairo has a slight change of plans with his move back to his province. Their romance is dialed up a notch but their love is put to the test by external forces striving to pull them apart.
Directed by Ivan Andrew Payawal, the series returns with its original cast members Kokoy de Santos, Elijah Canlas, Adrianna So, Kych Minemoto, Kyle Velino, and Miggy Jimenez.
- 5/17/2022
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Gameboys is the successful Boys’ Love (Bl) series, the first of this genre for the Philippines when it premiered on YouTube in May 2020. Set during the Covid-19 pandemic, the story revolves around Cairo (Elijah Canlas) and Gavreel (Kokoy De Santos) who strike up a friendship while playing online games and eventually fall in love. The series has attracted a large fanbase for its relatable themes and story-telling concept utilising the social media format as well as having the characters interact via video calls and instant messages. There are 13 episodes plus a Netflix special, Gameboys Level-Up Edition.
As a spin-off, Gameboys: The Movie, continues with Cairo and Gavreel spending a romantic holiday together before Cairo has to return to his province. When Gavreel’s ultra-conservative aunt visits, the couple face a relationship test and begin to question their future together. In the meantime, other friends also show up struggling with their own challenges.
As a spin-off, Gameboys: The Movie, continues with Cairo and Gavreel spending a romantic holiday together before Cairo has to return to his province. When Gavreel’s ultra-conservative aunt visits, the couple face a relationship test and begin to question their future together. In the meantime, other friends also show up struggling with their own challenges.
- 12/11/2021
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
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