Saturday, June 16, 2007 A wealth of acting talent in ‘Tukso’
“OVERWHELMING,” is how writer/director Dennis N. Marasigan, Golden Screen Awards winner for Best Screenplay Adaptation for “Sa North Diversion Road,” describes the experience of working with some of the country’s most versatile actors in “Tukso”, his new serving as his entry to this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival scheduled on July 20 to 29 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
“Tukso” is a mystery film with a twist. A young village lass is found dead. An investigator is assigned to the case, and the film presents the different perspectives of the people who know her. A “revisionist Rashomon” is how one writer describes it, recalling the classic film by Japanese Director Akira Kurosawa.
In the cast are award-winning film, television and theater actors led by Ricky Davao and Irma Adlawan. Last seen together on screen in “Mga Pusang Gala” for which they received nominations from almost all of local filmdom’s award-winning bodies, both actors also won Aliw Awards for their work on stage in Tanghalang Pilipino’s Speaking in Tongues.”
In “Tukso”, Ricky Davao plays David Solomon, a businessman whose subdivision project and personal life are affected by the girl’s mysterious death.
Irma Adlawan, already dubbed as the “Queen of Philippine Independent Cinema” largely because of her outstanding performances in the independent films “Mga Pusangg Gala”, “ICU Bed No. 7” and “Sa North Diversion Road” plays the role of Fe, a widow who may have the key that can help unravel the mystery.
Playing the other leading parts in the ensemble film are:
Soliman Cruz, who won acclaim for his father roles “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” and “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo”;
Shamaine Buencamino, who played the other woman in “Crying Ladies” and earned critical acclaim for her tour-de-force performance in the Filipino adaptation of the play “Orpheus Descending.”
Ping Medina, known to television audiences for her roles in “Etheria and also nominated for “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros”; and
Sid Lucero, winner of the Golden Screen Awards for Breakthrough performance for his star turn in last year’s Cinemalaya entry “Donsol.”
As if the actors were not enough, special cameo performances are given by Nonie Buencamino, Ronnie Lazaro and Bing Pimentel while supporting roles are played by the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company. Diana Malahay, a University of the Philippines (UP) theater arts student, is introduced in the role of Monica, the village lass who died under mysterious circumstances.
“Tukso” is directed by Dennis N. Marasigan from a script by Dennis N. Marasigan, Nikki Torres, and Mara Paulina Marasigan. Cinematography, editing and sound by Mo Zee, production design by Bianca Gonzales Dadivas, Music by Vincent de Jesus, and produced by Dennis N. Marasigan and Soc Jose. (Press release)
