On the set of Bigfoot's maiden film offering

Bigfoot Entertainment's (BFE) newest division-New Cebu Films-has tapped Filipino actors and crew for its maiden big screen offering, the action-thriller Deep Gold.

After having commenced principal photography last December, Deep Gold will be that first film that BFE will shoot entirely in Cebu. The shooting of the film is scheduled to wrap up this late March.

The Freeman had the chance to witness the filming of the movie and exclusively interviewed the assistant director, Han Salazar, and the Vietnamese lead actress, Bebe Pham who is playing the role of Amy Sanchez.

According to Salazar, Deep Gold was entitled as such because its story starts with a bunch of gold bars belonging to the Philippine Central Bank that were recovered and were about to be surrendered to the military. But the plane that carried the gold bars mysteriously crashed, with the gold bars plunging into the deep sea. However, when an extensive search was launched, no gold was found.

Amy's boyfriend, as the pilot of the plane, was accused of stealing the gold. Amy didn't buy the story, so she kick-started her own investigation, which would bring her to the "real" culprit.

The filming cost of Deep Gold has been pegged at about two million dollars. The executive producer and director, Michael Gleissner, loves Cebu very much and envisions that Cebu will be the next Hollywood and destination for world-class filmmaking.

"The whole story revolved in Cebu, in an island which they named Talipanan, an island somewhere in Lilo-an," said assistant director Salazar. "The first film from Bigfoot na ginawa dito sa Cebu and we are hoping that we will finish this by the end of March."

The shooting was divided into units A and B, covering the drama part and the fight scenes, respectively. "As for the equipment used, pang-Hollywood talaga ang lahat," said Salazar.

Vietnamese supermodel-turned-actress, Bebe Pham, leads the cast in this movie. She has been here in Cebu for more than eight months already. She said she learned a lot while shooting for Deep Gold, especially all the training required in executing action scenes.

From August to September of last year, she learned how to drive, dive and even on how to "run suitably for the action films". Although for the latter, she didn't find it hard to do, as she was into athletics back in high school.

She added that since it was her first time to be part of the lead cast, everything was so new to her, "I am not so good but I am so thankful for having a good director… I am very lucky 'cause they helped me a lot."

Pham stands 5'7 and at the age of 23, has had a lot of exposure in the field of fashion. She is considered one of Vietnam's top models, after winning in the Vietnam Supermodel pageant in 2005. She has had appeared on Fashion TV, print ads and commercials for such brands as Land Rover, Remy Martin, Reebok, Caravan Hotel, and has been a cover model for fashion glossies in Vietnam, as well as in the Philippines like Metro Mag. She's also part of the 2007 Nautical Angels Underwater Calendar by Gleissner.

On her seemingly lengthy stay here in Cebu, she mused: "I feel at home here… I live in south of Vietnam and it is just like Cebu. We also share the same culture like the extended family or close family ties."

The fifth child among a brood of six, Pham returns to her hometown in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, in Vietnam once in every two months.

After Deep Gold, she will proceed to work on another movie-an action thriller wherein she will play a policewoman.

Deep Gold features Filipino actors, led by the multi-awarded Joel Torre as Ranulfo Sanchez, who plays father to Amy and Jess, who is portrayed by Singaporean actress Jaymee Ong. And the crew boasts of an impressive line-up of Filipino filmmakers that include first assistant director, Darwin Bolsico ("Muro Ami" and "Jose Rizal"), production manager Marinette Lusanta; and art department coordinator, Lili Esquillon. Lusanta and Esquillon formed part of the team behind the critically-acclaimed movie, "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros."

This pool of Filipino talents is complemented by a multi-national cast and crew as well, headed by executive producer and director Michael Gleissner. Also on hand with their expertise are Hong Kong-based producer Elliot Tong ("Kiroshiya 1-Ichi the Killer," "Mr. Magoo," Jackie Chan's "First Strike"), technical director Ken Sui ("Fearless," "In the Mood for Love," "Rush Hour") and stunt director Ailen Sit ("Tokyo Raiders 2," "Shaolin Soccer").

Rounding up the cast are Ken Arden as the freelance journalist Benny Simpson; British actress Amelia Jackson-Gray as Simpson's wife Claire; American model Laury Prudent as the wacky island DJ Lulu; and the Australian model Rebecca Piket as the antagonist Francesca. What a multi-racial cast, indeed! And all of them are Bigfoot Entertainment's prized talents.