Remakes galore: Is the industry running out of ideas?

Are our scriptwriters (and directors) running out of ideas for original materials that’s why they are just resorting to making remakes of movie classics or komiks novels that had been made into films?

Director Joel Lamangan is doing an indie film titled “Walang Kawala” for DMV Productions and according to the grapevine, the film is being described as the gay version of the Lino Brocka classic film “Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag.” This was the debut film of Bembol Roco, who won the Famas best actor award for his performance. The film also picked up the best director and best picture awards that time.

“Walang Kawala” features Polo Ravales and Joseph Bitangcol, who are supposedly playing the roles portrayed by Bembol and Hilda (Koronel), respectively, in the Brocka classic. The script was written by Eric Ramos (who wrote “Azucena” and “Troika). In the new film, Polo (who plays a gay fisherman) goes to Manila to look for Joseph, his lover.

We wonder if Brocka is turning from his grave at the way today’s filmmakers and producers are doing remakes of his old movies. Can we not tamper with the classics?

We received a call from Direk Joel who reacted on this item which we also wrote in a tabloid. He said there’s no truth to what our source said. He said that the story of “Walang Kawala” is different from “Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag” and that it’s not a gay version of the Brocka classic.

“This is an original story written by Erik Ramos about a gay relationship and how one’s involvement in a sex trafficking syndicate changes their lives,” Direk Joel explained over the phone.

“We are not passing off the film as the gay version of Lino’s film. Malayong-malayo ang kuwento. Hindi rin based sa characters nina Bembol at Hilda ang characters nina Polo at Joseph. This is an original material, and not inspired by the Brocka film,” said Direk Joel, who added that there are no scenes in “Walang Kawala” that are similar to the scenes in the Brocka classic.

Speaking of remakes, Piolo Pascual is also producing one, a twinbill featuring the movies “Manila by Night” by Ismael Bernal and “Jaguar” by Lino Brocka. The twinbill version is being directed Adolf alix, Jr.

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KC Concepcion is facing a very hectic schedule. Aside from the premiere showing of “For the First Time” tonight at SM Megamall, KC is leaving for abroad to grace several international screenings of her debut film, which pairs her with Richard Gutierrez.

“For the First Time” will be shown at Alex Theater, Los Angeles, California on September 6, and at Fox Theater, San Francisco on Sept. 7. For tickets, check out www.abscbnglobal_movies.com or call 1-800-227-9676.

On Sept. 28 (Sunday), “For the First Time” will be shown at the Cineplex Donouplex at Vienna, Austria, and both KC and Richard will grace the event.

We saw the promo schedule of KC and Richard and it’s really tiring. They have their hands full shuttling from ABS-CBN and GMA 7 to plug their first team-up. Aside from that, they are doing mall shows.

The movie opens today in more than 100 theaters nationwide. On August 28, KC and Richard will still appear live on “Sis!” and what follows are the international screenings at LA and San Francisco.

Sharon Cuneta won’t be attending the premiere night of “For the First Time” since she wouldn’t want to steal the thunder from KC and Richard. She wants them to have the limelight all to themselves and bask in the glory that deserves to be theirs and theirs alone.

There are some quarters making a big deal of Sharon’s decision not to attend the premiere. We ought to respect Sharon’s decision and we are sure that KC understands her mom’s decision to do so.

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The writer of the box-office hit "Daybreak" and Asian Film Awards nominee Charliebebs "Bebs" Gohetia ventures into his first full-length directorial debut with a fun and funny film about beauty pageant losers in ‘The ‘Thank You’ Girls” (TYG).

TYG is an interesting, intelligent comedy about six dysfunctional gay beauty pageant veterans who embark on a journey from their hometown Davao City to Cagayan de Oro City to join a big contest riding in a loudly colored orange jeep.

This indie film provides a breath of fresh air from the usual gay films released this year about tragedy and sex. Shot 10 ten days in the breathtaking landscapes of Davao , Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro, Bebs used nonprofessional Visayan actors for the film, most of them real beauty pageant contestants in Davao.

TYG has already been invited to compete at an international film festival in September. But before that, Filipinos will have a chance to watch its world premiere with Tagalog subtitles on August 28, 2008, at the UP Cine Adarna (formerly UP Film Center) at 6:30pm.

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Iza Calzado has been celebrating her birthday together with the young patients, mostly children afflicted with cancer, at the Hematology Department ng Philippine Children's Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City. And this year is no exception. Iza turned 26 last August 12 and she had a belated birthday party with the wards of the PCMC.

After her presscon cum post-birthday treat to selected members of the entertainment press last Friday at the Fanny Serrano’s Secret Café (located at Scout Rallos, Quezon City), Iza proceeded to PCMC for her annual birthday treat and charity work. Iza treated 100 kids plus their companions to merienda. By next year, Iza hopes to have a big party so she could accommodate more kids in her gift-giving and charity work.

In the program held at the PCMC, there was singing, dancing, magic and puppet show, food and gift-giving for the young children.

In our interview with Iza during her presscon, the actress revealed that she had a recent meeting with GMA 7 bigwigs with regards to the projects that she will soon do for the network. However, she declined to give the details discussed during the meeting although Iza said she will have her own one-month stint in “Obra” prior to the next soap opera she will do for GMA 7.

With regards to the movie “One True Love” which she will do with Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes to be directed by Mac Alejandre, Iza said it will depend on the schedule of Marian and Dingdong as to when they could start filming.