Related Celebrities

Disappointing

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

FOLKS expecting fireworks at the presscon of "Zorro" were disappointed that there was no soapy confrontation scene between Annabelle Rama and Wilma Galvante.

As usual, Wilma delivered the welcome remarks at the start of the presscon, being GMA's senior VP for entertainment. As she was speaking, all eyes focused on Annabelle who was seated at the back, so she quipped with a smile: "At bakit lahat kayo, sa akin nakatingin?"

When the special presentation for the launch of "Zorro" started, Annabelle cried when her son Richard Gutierrez appeared from above and slid down across the studio via a harness going onto the stage. "Sobra ka-sing ganda ng presentation," she explained later when asked why she cried. "Bonggang-bongga, ang ganda! Parang Hollywood! Lahat, impressive, pati costumes, 'yung stunts, ang buong presentation. Grabe! Natalbugan lahat ng previous shows ni Richard, pati presscon ng movie niya with KC (Concepcion. )"

How come she was smiling while Wilma was speaking? "I'm just surprised that she came because I thought she'd snub the affair. Tinatanong ko kasi ang mga kasama niyang executives who'd talk at the start of the presscon if Wilma wouldn't be there. No one answered me. It turned out, surprise pala niya. "

So does that mean she's no longer angry with Wilma? "Hindi naman 'yan kasama sa promo ng 'Zorro'. Let's face it, business is business pa rin. It's expected na gampanan din ni Wilma ang duty niya as entertainment VP. I'm happy that she didn't take things personally and she showed up at the presscon. Maganda 'yun, di ba? Napi-feel ko naalagaan nila talaga ang anak ko. Tuwang-tuwa ako. Talagang ginastusan, hindi lang ang show kundi pati 'yung presscon. "

What if she found herself face to face with Wilma? "I see no problem with that. Okay lang sa'kin. Kung hindi niya ko papansinin, okay rin. Di wala na lang pansinan. Sanay naman ako sa ganun. Okay na 'yun. Hindi rin naman kami nagkaroon ng chance na magkita dahil I'm seated with the press at siya naman, sa backstage nanggaling. As of now, ayoko na lang ng mga nega-nega issues. Kailangan, positive para maganda ang ratings ng 'Zorro'. "

NO MORE KC FOR RICHARD?

Richard Gutierrez was asked after the presentation what he feels about the rift between his mom and Wilma. "Personally, siyempre, ayoko sana ng ganyang mga gulo," he replies. "Mas maganda kung laging peaceful sana ang lahat. But I guess, in showbiz, we can't avoid such misunderstandings and conflicts. Basta ako, labas sa gulo nila. At the height of their conflict, wala naman ako dito kasi we were holed up and so busy in Bagac, Bataan for the taping of 'Zorro', walang balikan dito sa Manila. We felt like nasa ibang mundo kami roon at hindi kami affected ng mga gulo rito. But siyempre, my mom can expect my support, ng buong family namin. Given the chance, I'm willing to mediate para magkabati si Mommy at si Tita Wilma. Pero later na lang siguro kasi, sa ngayon, masyado pang mainit. As of now, I just give my best to the assignments GMA gives to me. Lalo na itong 'Zorro', napakalaking project, so it's my responsibility to give 110% of my efforts dito para matumbasan ang pagtitiwla nila sa'kin. "

His mom cried while watching the press presentation. "So she told me, and I'm glad dahil pinaghirapan naman namin talaga ito at ang buong show mismo. I can guarantee the viewers na hindi masasayang ang bawat minuto nila sa panonood ng 'Zorro'. My peg was Antonio Bandera in the last 'Zorro' movie. Yung may pagka-naughty at funny ang interpretation, pero very Filipino ang dating. I think with the help of the entire GMA team, nagawa naman namin ng tama ang Filipino adaptation ng 'Zorro'. "

How is Rhian Ramos now as a leading lady? "She's definitely a much better actress. Mas nag-mature siya and I'm excited to work with her again. Nakita ko ang pagsisimula niya sa 'Capt. Barbell'. She has really improved a lot and I'm so proud of her. She's perfect for the role of Lolita in 'Zorro'. "

KC Concepcion is now taping her first teleserye in Paris. Do they have any communication? "Since she went to Paris, wala pa. But before she left, meron. Nakakahiya naman, siyempre, naka-focus na siya sa trabaho niya roon at ako rin naman, concentrated ako rito sa 'Zorro'. Basta we have good memories of the time we worked with each other. "

ALL SET FOR GOV. VI

THE UP Film Institute is all set for their tribute to Gov. Vilma Santos and her award-winning 1984 film, "Sister Stella L" this afternoon starting at 5 with a photo exhibit and a panel discussion/forum about the contributions of the film to local cinema and society. "Sister Stella L" is about the political awakening of a nun and was masterfully directed by Mike de Leon. The film will be screened at 7 p. m. According to Vilma Santos Solid International prexy Jojo Lim, Gov. Vi will be there to personally grace the occasion. Tickets for the whole affair cost P50 each only.

FILM REVIEW: 'SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE'

IF you're wondering how "Slumdog Millionaire", an Indian film with Indian actors playing Indian characters directed by a British director, won over its Hollywood rivals as Oscar best picture, then wonder no more as the film is finally being released here on the big screen, where it should be seen and not in the pirated copies that have been circulating since last year.

The movie is about a poor boy from the slums of Mumbai, Jamal Malik (played by three different actors from childhood to adulthood). He has just won 10 million rupees in the quiz show, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" and the film starts with some cops torturing him and asking him how he was able to give the right answer in all the questions asked of him. The film indicates the four possible answers to this question: a) He cheated b) He's lucky c) He's a genius d) It is written. In the end, you'll find out which is the right answer.

Jamal is supposed to return to the show the next night for the continuation of the contest. But the show's host Prem Kumar (famous Bollywood star Anil Kapoor) cannot believe how this poor uneducated boy can answer all the questions correctly without cheating, so he connived with cops to torment him into confessing how he cheated. For instance, how would Jamal know the answer as to what a Hindu gold holds in it right hand when he is a Muslim? Jamal tells them he didn't cheat. He reveals how he learned to know the answer to each question. All of them have something to do with his past. He was a boy of 7 (played by the adorable Ayush Mahesh) when their mother was brutally killed by Hindus who hate them. How did he know that the picture on a American hundred dollar bill is that of Benjamin Franklin? When he was 13 (played by Tanay Hemant Cheda), he gave a $100 bill to a blind beggar he used to know as a child and the blind boy told him it's Benjamin Franklin.

The series of flashbacks showing Jamal's backstory is the touching heart of the film. Aside from Jamal, there are two other recurring characters in it, his older brother Salim and the girl he has always loved, Latika. Both Salim and Latika are also portrayed by three different actors. The romantic element between Jamal and Latika holds the film together and makes it an endearing love story as we keep on wondering if they'd have a happy ending when Jamal keeps on losing Latika each time he finds her anew.

We root for Jamal as he has always been a kind little boy, in contrast to his brother Salim who can be very violent and brutal. He first met Latika after both their parents were killed and she was soaking wet in the rain. He asked her to join them in their shelter, even if Salim disapproves of it. They become some sort of Three Musketeers, but they only know Athos and Portos, not the name of the third musketeer.

Latika becomes the love of Jamal's life and Salim becomes instrumental in their separation not just once but twice. Once when they were held captive by a syndicate that fields beggars in the streets. The syndicate won't hesitate to mutilate or blind them just so they'll be more pitiful to the public and earn more alms. They're able to escape when they jump on a moving train, but Salim intentionally lets go of Latika's hand who was running after them. In the Taj Mahal, the brothers become tourist guides and learns how to speak English. They're able to go back to Mumbai as teeners. Jamal (now played by Dev Patel, a British-born Indian actor) gets to work in a call center and succeeds in tracking down Latika (now played by the stunningly beautiful Freida Pinto) who has become the kept woman of a crime lord.

One of the film's most entertaining (and yucky) moments was how the boy Jamal got the signature of one of Bollywood's most famous stars. The name of this star is the answer to the very question when he joined "Who Wants to be a Millionaire". The scene where he gets locked inside the toilet outhouse as the big star arrived on their shantytown shows his creativity and great fighting spirit as such an early age.

There's nothing in the past films of Director Danny Boyle that is like "Slumdog Millionaire", from the dark comedies "Shallow Grave" and "Millions" to the zombie flick "28 Days Later" and the boring sci-fi flick "Sunshine". Its his most famous work, "Trainspotting" (1996), that has one scene, Ewan McGregor diving inside a dirty toilet bowl, somewhat similar to the outhouse scene in "Slumdog". But "Slumdog" is a real crowdpleaser. The exotic locations showing Mumbai's harrowing slum communities, the fantastic cinematography, the great songs and musical score, and the truly endearing romance of Jamal and Latika will just win you from beginning to end. The film concludes with a fabulous Bollywood song-and-dance number that is brilliantly conceived and executed. After all the hardships that Jamal and Latika went through in the story, it's a fitting finale that makes you leave the theater in good spirits.

Source: People's Journal