Antonio's Secret (Ang Lihim ni Antonio)

Join us for the International Premiere of a controversial film that proves once again that not all gay films from the Philippines are about hustlers and macho dancers. 'Antonio's Secret (Ang Lihim ni Antonio)' tackles the taboo topic of incest and its tragic consequences. A Digital Viva & BeyondtheBox co-production.

Starring:

Shamaine Buencamino

Josh Ivan Morales

Niño Fernandez

and

Jiro Manio

Introducing

Kenjie Garcia

Director: Joselito Altarejos

Executive Producer: Vic del Rosario, Jr.

Producer: Vincent del Rosario

Supervising Producers: Valerie S. del Rosario & Jonathan Ling Aligada

Associate Producer: Hermie Go

Line Producer: Joselito Altarejos

Screenplay: Lex Bonife

Story: Joselito Alterejos & Lex Bonife

Creative Consultant: Cel Santiago

Editor: Ricardo Gonzales, Jr.
Cinematography: Arvin Viola

Image Out Film Feature:
October 13, 2008 • 9:45pm @ Little Theatre, Rochester, New York

Image Out Review:

Don’t you sometimes wish people, like items on a store shelf, came with labels and instructions making it easier for you to know exactly what they want and what they need? No mixed signals. No guessing games. No surprises.

Fifteen-year-old Antonio (Tong to his family and close friends) is a confident young man who is newly aware of his homosexuality. While he knows exactly what he feels and is comfortable with it, Tong is still confused about what it really means to be gay. How does he meet other people like him? And what kind of future awaits? Truth be told, he is just like any other teenage boy – bored and sexually frustrated.

During a sleepover at his friend Nathan’s, after a night of drinking (remember, this is in the Philippines) and aroused by normal adolescent sex talk, Tong makes a daring pass at his sleeping friend. Much to his surprise, Nathan does not offer any resistance, and the two boys share their first sexual experience. Unfortunately, a satisfying and memorable night turns into disappointment when Nathan starts avoiding Tong at all costs the next day. Sensing something isn’t right, their other best friend Mike becomes curious. Tong is forced to tell the truth and comes out to him. On the bright side, straight Mike is totally supportive of his gay best friend.

But this isn’t another happy coming-out story. Soon, Tong’s hedonistic (and very hot!) twenty-five-year-old uncle, Jonbert, arrives from the province to stay with him and his mom for a few weeks. Things begin to unravel as Jonbert becomes Tong’s sexual obsession . . . and the uncle reciprocates.

Antonio’s Secret takes a raw and honest look at the not-so-secret, and sometimes downright depraved, sex life of teenage boys. Director Joselito Altarejos adds a layer of depth by telling a rich story of a confused young man, growing up with few available positive role models, who makes crucial choices and is forced to face their tragic consequences. Using a, sometimes wobbly, handheld camera without employing much of a musical soundtrack, except for the occasional tunes from the acoustic guitar of a neighborhood musician, Altarejos pulls his audiences in and makes it a highly voyeuristic and intimate affair.

Our ImageOut There! Series brings you the type of film that rarely gets made in politically correct Hollywood, and is definitely not coming to your neighborhood multiplex anytime soon. Antonio’s Secret confronts the taboo topic of incest head on while giving an authentic portrait of middle-class life in Manila, far from the squalor of urban squatters typical of Filipino films with international distribution. Be warned that this film contains nudity, sensitive mature themes, and one graphic scene of violence.

With the advent of digital filmmaking, Philippine Cinema is enjoying a boost from young and edgy filmmakers. ImageOut is proud to provide a forum for these undiscovered gems.

~ Michael Gamilla