Iza Calzado is a consummate actress. And proof of this is her acting in the movie “Dukot.” Allen Dizon, the producer and leading man of Iza in “Dukot,” also impressed us with his acting prowess. Allen, who plays an activist in the movie, has so far done the best role ever in his acting career. All his roles in previous movies pale in comparison with his acting in “Dukot.” The movie rightfully belongs to mainstream, and anyone who says it is an indie does not know the A-Z of filmmaking.

Iza Calzado and Allen Dizon are sweethearts in “Dukot.” They are abducted by an alleged military torture team, and from the early beginning of the movie, they are tortured and suffered the most inhuman punishment that anyone with a sick mind can only imagine! The punishment extends up to the end of the movie, gripping the moviegoer breathless and as if blood is also oozing from all parts of his or her body. You want to shout but you are like in a quagmire, that the more you attempt to yell, you sink deeper!

Aside from Iza and Allen, the movie also stars Snooky Serna, Emilio Garcia, Gina Alajar, Robert Arevalo, Felix Roco, Jim Pebangco, Raquel Villavicencio, Mon Confiado, Rico Rivera, John Apacible, Menggie Cobarrubias, Tony Mabesa, Richard Arellano, Benjie Felipe (who impressed us as well with his villain role) and Armaine Pagcu.

The film is graded “A” by the Cinema Evaluation Board.

Filipino immigrants, Canadians and other nationalities who saw the movie at the Montreal World Film Festival described the movie as “fantastic, sad, timely, gripping, great story-telling…”

The movie was based on true stories about those abducted political activists and summarily executed.

“This is the kind of film I love to do,” multi-awarded director Joel Lamangan said. “After reading Boni Ilagan’s script, I saw the material’s purpose and authority… it’s a singular honor to do this film project. As filmmakers, we have advocacies other than entertainment, to show reality and make our viewers think about social issues confronting us."

The director was also a victim of human rights, which made the film project close to his heart. The scriptwriter, Boni Ilagan, a Palanca awardee, was also a victim of abduction and torture, a political detainee when he was a student activist.

It took sometime before the movie project was filmed. No producers would take it because of the sensitive topic and its direct confrontation with the military.

The movie will have a world exhibition in various cities, starting in the major cities of Australia.

Meanwhile, “Dukot” will be having special screenings in the following venues: UP Los Baños, Dec. 2-3; Davao City, Dec. 4 and Dec. 8; Northern Luzon, Dec. 5; Bulacan, Dec. 9; Hong Kong and Japan by January, the US and Canada.

Regular run locally will start on Dec. 2 in selected theaters.

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‘Pasko ng Bayan’ ongoing at Marikina Riverbanks

“Pasko ng Bayan,” described as a “bazaar na swak sa budget at trip ng urbanista,” opened last Nov. 14 at Riverbanks Mall in Marikina. Ribbon-cutting honors went to Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando, Ms. Arlene de Castro, ABS-CBN Channel Head Ms. Cory Vidanes, Bayan Productions’ Katherine de Castro, Party-List Rep. Fred Arquiza, AD Ventures head Jennifer San Jose, and Ms. Riza Carlos of Riverbanks Development Corp.

“Pasko ng Bayan,” which runs till Jan 3, 2010, is a project of BAYAN Productions in partnership with AD Ventures Corp. The bazaar covers the three missions of BAYAN Productions when they decided to do a Christmas Bazaar in Marikina. The missions are: Pinoy Dream (to provide business opportunities to those who would like to do business but do not have enough capital), Pinoy Pride (the synchronized Christmas Lights Show makes “Pasko ng Bayan” a destination) and Pinoy Hope (it features Parol ni Bro as a symbol of hope to all Mariqueños after the tragic aftermath of Ondoy).

Aside from the interesting array of goods for sale in the different booths, a must-see feature of “Pasko ng Bayan” is the Synchronized Christmas Lights Show which the whole family will certainly enjoy watching. The show runs every day from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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‘New Moon’s’ successful premiere

The new film from the “Twilight” franchise, “New Moon,” starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart and distributed locally by Wilson Que’s Pioneer Films, had a very successful premiere night last Thursday. The premiere screening of the much-awaited “New Moon” was held in four different theaters – at Gateway Cineplex, SM Megamall, Glorietta and Promenade Greenhills. In attendance were celebrities and fans of the “Twilight” franchise.

The Cinema 3 at Promenade in Greenhills was jampacked with enthusiastic moviegoers. The “New Moon” premiere at this theater was sponsored among others by Dewfoam, the country’s leading manufacturer of superior foams, mattresses and beds for 40 years now. Its latest innovation is the Everest Optimum Spring Bed, known as the Chiropractic Bed because of its unique formation and number of springs designed to effect an improved level of contouring to our irregular body shape.

According to Dennis Uy, Everest Optimum Spring Bed helps prevents osteoporosis or skeletal deformity, prevents neck pains or stiff neck, prevents poor blood circulation, and prevents interrupted breathing. The brand is available in all Abenson outlets in NCR and Luzon areas according to Ms. Cheryl Kho. Actress Ana Capri who was at the premiere, said “Defoam is the only company that manufactures its own industrial foam and sleep-related products using European state-of-the-art technology.” Driven by its corporate statement “quality and comfort,” Dewfoam continues to innovate sleep-related products by upgrading its plant facilities and manufacturing machineries in NCR, Visayas and Mindanao.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Monday, Nov. 23, go Maxene A. Magalona, Maridel Villavicencio, Mrs. Siony Prioreshi, Bert and Aida Rejano, Clencita “Menchie” Romero, Loleng Africa, Queenie F. Perez of New York and John Forster Francois Rutherford Corpuz Doles… Belated b-day greetings to broadcast journalist Karen Davila (Nov. 21)…