Controversial duo Shandii Bacolod, Alvin Yapan to shoot period film for MMFF
One of the most competitive, creative producers Shandii Bacolod teams up again with controversial ‘Oro’ director Alvin Yapan for a period film, written by the master Ricky Lee.
“Pumunta na kami sa place. May mga nakausap na kami. The film is going to be very challenging. Gusto naming mabago ‘yung pananaw tungkol sa mga taong afflicted with leprosy,” director Alvin says.
Two controversial artists in a movie that will surely hit human soul.
“Wala ng aso (sa pelikula), bangkero nalang,” the producer laughs.
‘Culion,’ is a third class municipality in the province of Palawan. It was a former leprosarium, starting in 1906 under the American colonial regime until the American commonwealth of the Philippines era. Although leprosy on the island-town was abolished in the 1980s, it was only in 2006 when it was declared a leprosy-free area by the World Health Organization.
‘Culion’ tells the story of three best friends (Anna, Doris, Ditas), afflicted with leprosy and living like virtual prisoners in 1940’s Culion, try to negotiate a life of stigma that seesaws between hope and despair, redefining their roles as women, mother, friend, and human being.
Producer Shandii hopes that the film will be finished by September so they can submit it to film festivals like Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
“We’re eyeing for morena artists,” he adds. The film is going to be an eye opener, that talks the human side of Culion.
‘Culion’ is produced by IOPTIONS Ventures Corp. and Team MSB with Neil Daza as Director of Photography, Erwin Sanchez as Production Designer, Jane Gonzales as Line Producer, Heart Eusebio as Production Manager, Candy Manalo Nagrampa as Assistant Director, and Bessie Melancholy Gray as Assistant Producer.
