Asia’s first gay zombie comedy is here!
From award-winning filmmakers Michiko Yamamoto (writer of the excellent tearjerker Magnifico), Jade Castro (director of the charming love story Endo), and Raymond Lee (writer of box-office gems Anak, Milan, and In My Life, and producer of Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros,) comes a one-of-a-kind thriller/comedy/coming-of-age story about a curse, gay zombies, and a boy’s journey into gayhood and back–while being chased by a pink pashmina and a congregation of dead Diana-Ross-lookalikes.
The film is Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington, and it opens in theaters nationwide this August 31. The first output from the all-writers group Origin8 Media, the movie is headlined by an extremely winsome cast composed of young stars and veterans: Lauren Young, Janice de Belen, John Regala, Angelina Kanapi, Kerbie Zamora, Leandro Baldemor, Daniel Fernando, and introducing the 21-year old Martin Escudero as Remington. Comedy royalty Roderick Paulate and Eugene Domingo, portraying pivotal roles, lend an extra dash of fabulousness to a film brimming with first-rate performances.
Early acclaim
Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington brought the house down when it premiered to a full-packed CCP Main Theater last July. “Terrific!” said filmmaker Joel Ruiz. “Roderick Paulate is comedy gold but Eugene Domingo in rollerskates is utter genius!” said writer-critic Dodo Dayao. In the film’s Facebook page, Dante M. Velasquez posted, “Another gulong-gulong with hilot ng tiyan to the max laughter na naman itong movie na ito!” Josel Garlitos wrote, “It’s the best zombie/gay movie since, well… it’s the first of its kind. Super laugh trip then you’ll cry.” Allan Ortega commented, “Hahahaha! Ganito dapat ang comedy movie… Magaling talaga! Award!”
The film just got the highest grade – an A – from the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB). In the post-review summation the CEB showered the film with praises, calling it a “thoroughly entertaining and hilarious offbeat comedy that presents a very different story — one which Philippine cinema needs in these days when formulaic films dominate the movie fare of today” and “an incredible achievement with an amusing and rare synergy of horror, comedy, satire and drama.”
“Undeniably, the film is worthy of the favorable critical attention that it will surely reap,” the CEB also wrote. “The young filmmakers are to be congratulated for this enjoyable and original concept which wasn’t afraid to take it to its humorous extremes.”
Apparently enamored and intoxicated by the film’s energy, wit, and humor, the CEB closed its summation with a quote from the most famous Muppet: “To paraphrase Kermit the Frog: it’s not easy being gay, but this film shows it surely is a lot of fun!”
The story
The film takes place—and was actually entirely shot—in Lucban, Quezon. Remington is a happy-go-lucky young man content at being another tambay along with his tagay-loving comrades. Until, of course, the lovely Hannah (Young), a childhood friend, returns to their small, quiet town. Hannah rebuffs Remington because she finds him lazy and uncouth. Remington starts becoming neater, nicer and more sensitive. While Hannah begins to appreciate what seems a new Remington, his transformation is actually just beginning. He is soon wearing baby tees, swaying his hips while walking, and sensing a strong attraction to his best buddy Jigs (Zamora) even as he also feels a strong liking towards Hannah.
Around town, curious things are also happening. A serial killer is on the loose and gay men are the target. In Remington’s dreams, ghoulish characters are taking over. With the help of Hannah and their friend Jigs, Remington investigates why masked macho dancers are all of a sudden invading his sleep, why he’s suddenly fluent in gayspeak, and why gay zombies are roaming the streets.
PG, Uncut!
Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington has received a PG-13 rating from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) without any cuts. The makers are very grateful that the MTRCB recognized their intention and the novelty of their concept. “We got the rating that we wanted and the approval means that we can reach and entertain more people,” says producer Raymond Lee.
Meantime, Origin8 invites groups, organizations, and companies in dire need of laughter – or a fundraiser – to organize a Zombadings screening. Origin8’s Tammy Dinopol says, “There are limited sneak previews before the nationwide release. We are open for booking. We’ll provide the venue and film. Just show up with your people.” Interested parties may contact Tammy at tammy@origin8media.com or at 0916-6645806 and 0920-9064793. For updates, follow RemingtonTheMovie on Twitter and Facebook.
Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington opens in theaters nationwide on August 31.
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