by ana agabin
Cinemalaya is finally coming to a close — at least for me — today, with the final screening of 24k at the UP film center at 5pm.
It’s been a very interesting experience. I learned sooo much.
Again, I’m very thankful to everyone who watched our film, to everyone who makes Cinemalaya possible, to my cast and production team, my co-producer DV Savellano, my supportive family — Ted, Uyayi, and Ulan, my parents and siblings, my advisers, and all the other people who supported me and went on this journey with me.
I am humbled by, and most especially grateful to the Almighty up there whose hand was very much felt during the entire production of this film.
I’m happy that some members of my team, such as Diwa de Leon, my musical scorer, and Pao Orendain, my DOP who won for best cinematography at Cinemalaya, earned a lot of mileage (and thus more work opportunities) from doing this project. They certainly deserve it.
As I mentioned previously, I believe this will be the last time that I will ever do a low-budget independent film.
Many people think that I came to this decision because I got singed by the experience of producing and shooting 24k. The reason isn’t that superficial.
Filmmaking has its highs. I can understand why people go on and on making indie films, even though they don’t financially gain from it. Like treasure hunting, it’s the passion — the thrill of making a film and telling a story — that keeps them going.
Making 24k as my first feature affected me in a deeper way. Ironic really, because in the film, one of the messages I wanted to convey was to find what is truly 24-karat, what is truly valuable in one’s life. Yet, as I was in the process of making the film, I was neglecting precisely that which was really valuable to me.
Very recently, some events in my personal life further emphasized that point.
My family, most especially my two kids, Uyayi and Ulan, are my 24k. They are the most precious things in the world to me. If independent filmmaking — because of the sheer amount of work that I have to do myself — means that I will be figuratively away from them for months and months for every project, then I would be no different from the characters in my film.
I’m turning my back, going down the mountain, and going home — before it’s too late.
In other words… Hellooo prosperity! Welcome back!