Zombading

Enough of the gay indie movie bashing. I know that we have been flooded with a good number of thrashy softporn productions of two years’ late. But worry not. one movie with a flamboyantly gay theme is about to redeem the mediocre excesses bannered by titles like “Chub Chaser”, “Ang Pinakamahabang One-Night Stand Part 2“, “Freshboys Asia”, “Locker Boys”, “Junior”, “Senior” et al. Get past the attention-grabbing title of “Zombadings 1: Patayin sa ashokot si remington“ and join the long lines of moviegoers who enjoyed the movie during the weekend. Rumor has it that it outgrossed the first 5-day nationwide release of Star Cinema’s “Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi” and I can’t help but let out a wide grin.

I’m so glad that I found the time to watch and ride on the wave of #Zombadings twitter trending and all. To say that this Jade Castro-directed film is hilarious would be a great understatement. It sizzles beyond the big laughs and goes for the jugular with a story (and script) that will never insult your intelligence. Sure, it’s a good zombie film for some but it’s also a trend-setting gay movie that can overthrow your misconceptions of the same.

“Zombadings“ is all about Remington (Martin Escudero), a boy who always ridicules all-out cross-dressing gays in a town in Lucban, Quezon. He eventually met his comeuppance inside a cemetery after encountering a mysterious gay man (Roderick Paulate) who casted a curse that will turn him gay once he grows up. True enough, he started exhibiting outward indications of the transformation many years later. Meanwhile, a serial killer is on the loose and is targetting gay men who start turning up dead after being hit with a laser gun that zaps the life out of them in an instant. The already-effeminate Remington fears that he might end up being the next target. With the help of his best friend Jigs (Kerbie Zamora) and girl-next-door-love-interest Hannah (Lauren Young), they search for the individual who can remove the curse. And time is running out. I won’t go any further so as not to spoil the rest of the movie. But take my word for it. It’s one hell of a comic ride that introduces moviegoers to oft-confusing (but mercifully subtitled) gay lingo, while depicting deliciously quirky characters amidst one of the more novel gay-friendly love triangles in Philippine cinema.

“Zombadings 1: Patayin sa ashokot si remington“ is a big acting vehicle for Martin Escudero. He carries the film with a breakthrough performance that can definitely reward him with acting nominations and hopefully at least an award or two in next year’s derbies. His mastery of speaking gay lingo is already an achievement, not to mention the gaudy nuances of his gay conversion. Major support comes from all members of the cast, who each contributed cracking turns. Special mentions go to the eternally ambrosial Roderick Paulate (as the curse-caster), Mailes Kanapi (as the fumbling scene-stealing police assistant) and John Regala (as Remington’s father). I also must add the excellent efforts of the cinematographer for his textured and competitive lensing of the film from start to finish.

“Zombadings 1: Patayin sa ashokot si remington“ is directed by Jade Castro from a script he collaborated with Raymond Lee and Michiko Yamamoto. It stars Martin Escudero, Kerbie Zamora, Lauren Young, Eugene Domingo, Roderick Paulate, Janice de Belen, John Regala, Mailes Kanapi, Odette Khan, Daniel Fernando, and Leandro Baldemor with Bayani Agbayani and Marian Rivera in special cameo roles.