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Apoy [Fire]
Personal Notes
'Apoy' is technically my ffith film but appears to be my second because the three others in between 'Banal' (my debut short) and this only had very limited screenings. 'Hero, Media, Chats & Snacks' was my second film (a docu which I did for my class under Ma'am Dalyn Pañoso) followed by 'Sira' (Crazy) and 'Knowledge in Eclipse'. I shot this when I was 18 years old (my old films show how much I have been through life - it wasn't as easy as people think).
Apoy is heavily inspired by the experimental Filipino films of the 90's - those done by few of the 'heroes' of the short film movement - Roxlee, Tad Ermitaño and Raymond Red. It speaks about personal journeys, emotional pains and burning desires - likening them all to life and death; change and resurrection. Like rebranding in the modern world or reinventing one's self, disposition and mindset.
The short stars Mark Oliver Mansueto, my friend and classmate (SMCS-Ateneo de Iloilo) who's now an optometrist and married to Cynthia Aviso Mansueto - also a friend and our classmate.
This was shot in VHS and this is a restored and digitized version, presented in 16:9 aspect ratio from its original 4:3 version.
Elvert JV
synopsis
One man's emotional journey is visualized in this experimental short, showing mixed emotions and the desires which are repressed by people around him.
Year of release: 1993
TRT: 6 min, 46 sec
Experimental
Shot, edited, designed and directed by: Elvert Bañares
Cast: Mark Oliver Mansueto
Music: Ian Laczi, Marlon de la Cruz, Elvert Bañares
Production Coordinator: Alexis Diamante
Trivia: This was created when we formed then art group Novus Aevum Artifex. Our Professor, Sir Alexis Diamante joined in the production of this film. The music was recorded in our small house using a keyboard, plastic bags for disposal and a can where I used to piss at night (hahaha!).
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