Tarantino inspires Quark

All his life, Quark Henares said that he wanted to be a story-teller.

“But I just didn’t know how,” admitted Dr. Vicki Belo’s only son (by her ex-husband Atom Henares). “I didn’t know whether to do it as a cartoonist, a writer or a songwriter.”

Then he saw the Quentin Tarantino classic Pulp Fiction and came Quark’s “Eureka!” moment.

“That clinched it,” said Quark who would meet Tarantino a few years later when Tarantino came to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award from Tikoy Aquiluz’s CineManila International Film Festival in 2007.

“He started quoting my movie Keka,” recalled Quark who had just done a Tarantino illustration for an article about Tarantino for Rogue magazine at that time. (Tarantino is a great lover of Asian films.) “That was the greatest moment of my life as a director. My highest high. That was my biggest validation as a director.”

Quark took up a course in Film at the New York Film Academy. He has worked with Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Ruel Bayani and Raymond Red (and also learned a lot from the films of Mike de Leon). Other directors who have influenced Quark were R.A. Rivera (”Ang nagpasikat kay Ramon Bautista”) and David Lynch (The Elephant Man, Mulholland Drive).

“From Marilou, I learned how to work with actors and about the importance of the story and the importance of characters. From Raymond, I learned more about the technical aspects such as master shots and 180-degree shots.” He also taught Film at Ateneo and his students included King Palisoc, Bobby Bonifacio and Dan Villegas (Walang Forever) who are making their own mark as directors.

Keka (2003) was Quark’s second film, coming after Gamitan (2002), Super Noypi (2006), Huwag Kang Lilingon and Rakenrol (2011). His sixth film, My Candi-Date, is a quick departure from the previous ones.

Produced by Quantum Films, MJM Productions, Tuko Film Production and Buchi Boy Films (the same companies behind the surprise hits English Only, Please! and Walang Forever), My Candi-Date is Quark’s first foray into the rom-com genre, so different from, for example, Gamitan which was described by critic Mario Bautista as “dark and edgy” or Rakenrol which is former band member Quark’s most personal film with lead actress Glaiza de Castro’s band-leader character as, according to Quark, “my alter ego.”

“I find a muse in every film that I make,” added Quark. “Now in My Candi-Date, it’s Shaina (Magdayao).”

Shaina plays a coach tasked to train Derek Ramsay’s senatorial-candidate character (described by Quark as “very awkward, very un-charming and very un-charismatic”) and make him “look lovable.”

“Despite what the title suggests,” explained Quark who also wrote the story, “the movie is a romantic-comedy set against an election campaign. Did I pattern Derek’s character after a real-life candidate? Yes, but I won’t tell you who. That candidate is very shy and comes from a political dynasty.”

Opening nationwide today, two days after the May 9 elections, My Candi-Date is calculated to be a breather from the most hotly-contested political exercise in Philippine history, with the five presidential candidates throwing charges against one another that bordered on the very personal.

“I’m happy that my actors (also including Iza Calzado as Derek’s former girlfriend running against him and Nico Antonio as Derek’s adviser) really love the craft and took their characters to heart.”

Did he ask Derek to grow his hair to make him more credible as a candidate?

Derek Ramsay and Shaina Magdayao (right photo) with My Candi-Date co-star Nico Antonio (in green shirt) as Derek’s adviser. The movie opens nationwide today.

“No,” said Quark, “I did not. The idea came from him. Mas bumagay sa role niya, di ba?”

Quark’s mom is a discerning film lover. How does Quark think Dr. Vicki will react to My Candi-Date?

“My mom is somewhat pihikan when it comes to films,” said Quark. “Iba ang taste niya. Among my first films, she likes Gamitan. I hope My Candi-Date passes her standard.”

By the way, what would he choose between managing The Belo Medical Group and putting up his own film company?

“Putting up my own film company,” replied Quark without a second thought. “That’s why (my sister) Cristalle is there to manage the clinic.”

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