Only in Hollywood Yam excited to premiere ‘The Echo’ in Montreal film fest By Ruben V. Nepales Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 20:39:00 07/04/2008
LOS ANGELES—Yam Laranas’ “The Echo” will have its world premiere on July 17 at Fantasia, the Montreal fantasy and genre film festival, which runs from July 3 to 21 and has become one of North America’s important cinematic events.
Over 80,000 tickets were sold in last year’s staging of the Canadian event. Several Asian horror movies, including “Ringu,” got their initial boost in the fest. Yam had told us earlier that it was his wish for “The Echo,” the American remake of his Tagalog film, “Sigaw,” to premiere in the Montreal festival.
The Filipino filmmaker got his wish with a screening of the movie at the Hall Theatre on July 17 at 7:15 p.m. He will be on hand to present his 90-minute thriller, which stars Jesse Bradford as Bobby, Iza Calzado (who reprises her role), Amelia Warner, Kevin Durand, Louise Linton, Carlos Leon and Pruitt Taylor Vince.
Synopsis
Todd Brown provided the following synopsis and description of “The Echo” on Fantasia’s website (www.fantasiafestival.com): “Freshly out of prison, Bobby returns home—but home is just not the same. His mother died a solitary death while he was inside the prison, isolated by her growing madness and paranoia. His friends either have moved away or won’t return his calls, and the girl he loves seems vaguely afraid to have him around.
“So, while New York City ensures that Bobby is always surrounded with life, he is nevertheless on his own. Maybe it’s the solitude getting to him or the memories of his mother, but soon, he is plagued by the same sounds that his mother complained about—a situation made worse by the sounds of violence from the apartment next door.
“Fantasia was proud to present the Canadian premiere of Yam Laranas’ Filipino horror movie, ‘Sigaw,’ a couple of years back. Now, we are even more pleased to present the world premiere of Laranas’ English-language remake of his original film. A moody, atmospheric piece of work, Laranas’ movie puts a unique spin on the Asian ghost story by rooting the horror not on technology or its ghosts, but in the everyday violence that you can’t help but encounter if you’re living in the big city. Laranas puts a familiar face on evil—and that makes it all the more effective!”
Television commercials
We interviewed Yam, who’s in the Philippines, via e-mail. He told us what he has been enjoying himself while he’s back home: “I’m spending as much time as possible with my wife and our 3-year-old boy. I take him to school. If my wife is in the office, we go for a father-and-son walk without a yaya. I go to the gym five times a week. I’ve been doing television commercials and keeping my blog updated. I keep myself busy. Otherwise, I’d go nuts keeping track of ‘The Echo’s’ distribution plan and screenings. Excerpts:
Significant
How significant is it for you that Fantasia, which screened “Sigaw” in 2006, is also premiering “The Echo”?
Fantasia is very important to me. It’s like my very own echo. It’s a little surreal, since I’m going back there with kind of the same—but, at the same time, different—movie. Plus, the lineup of movies and filmmakers joining this year is incredible!
What are your hopes and fears in the world premiere of your “baby,” so to speak?
Fantasia fest has a record attendance of 70,000—it’s crazy! I am nervous. I’m hoping that we could fill up the theater. I also hope that the new version will be viewed with the same (or more) enthusiasm and positive reception as the original. A lot of festival-goers are excited about the movie. I hope I won’t disappoint them.
Now that you’re done making the film, how different is “The Echo” from “Sigaw”?
If you watch the movie without any reference to the original, you’ll definitely enjoy it. It’s a classic ghost story—it’s very haunting, and the tension is felt all throughout. For those who have seen “Sigaw,” expect a new treatment to familiar themes. But, also be prepared to see a lot of scarier moments.
Are you flying to Montreal? Is your family attending the premiere with you?
Yes, I will arrive the day before the screening and will fly back home the day after (due to prior commitments). Sadly, my family won’t be able to join me, but I hope to bring them to the LA premiere.
Will your main stars, including Iza Calzado, be attending Fantasia?
Iza is planning to go, since she might have to attend a friend’s wedding in Vancouver. Jesse Bradford is shooting “W.” on those dates and another movie right after. Technically, this is not yet part of our P&A (publicity and advertising), so the producers and distributors won’t be spending for this event. Fantasia is spending for my trip.
Have Jesse, Iza and Amelia Warner seen the film?
None of the actors have seen the final cut yet.
Have you stayed in touch with Jesse? What has he told you about playing George W. Bush’s friend in “W.,” which is director Oliver Stone’s film on the life and presidency of the current US president?
Yes, we’ve stayed in touch. I emailed him to say congratulations on the “W.” gig. He seemed very happy and excited in his reply. He calls me Spideryam.
Opening date
Do you already have an opening date in the US?
There’s no scheduled opening in the US yet. I’d probably know sometime next month.
Does “The Echo” already have a distributor in the Philippines?
I’m not sure if QED International will release the film in Southeast Asia during or after its US run. Last I heard was that QED sold the movie’s Southeast Asian distribution rights to a Singaporean conglomerate, and that Viva will release it in the Philippines.
What’s your next project?
I’ve been writing a new story for almost a month now. I hope to do a pitch sometime in August. I’m hoping that the actors’ strike will not happen. Hollywood is a little shaky these days because of the economy. My reps in LA will also start looking for new projects. I’m praying that the screening in Fantasia will generate a loud buzz for “The Echo” that would lead to another gig soon!
E-mail rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com and read his blog, “The Nepales Report,” on http://blogs.inquirer.net/nepalesreport.
Copyright 2008 Philippine Daily Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
To
subscribe to the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper in the Philippines,
call +63 2 896-6000 for Metro Manila and Metro Cebu or email your subscription request here.
Factual errors? Contact the
Philippine Daily Inquirer's day desk.
Believe this article violates journalistic ethics?
Contact the
Inquirer's Reader's Advocate.
Or write The Readers' Advocate:
c/o
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Chino RocesAvenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets,
Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94
![Zoom Image](javascript:popwin("http://images.inquirer.net/media/showbizandstyle/entertainment/entertainment/images/pic-07050102180964.jpg", 640, 480))
Zoom
