Just got off the advanced premiere of the film PUSOY starring Vince Rillon, Angeli Khang, Baron Geisler, Janelle Tee and an ensemble cast. The popular card game isn't actually that known quite as much elsewhere so having this in a movie intended to be shown in film festivals had me a little worried. It might not be able to get that part of the game understood. Though between that concern and how this could be an interesting story line, Director Phil Giordano had us all at the edge of our seats and left us all asking, what would happen next?!
This is an action, drama, suspense film but set in the Philippines. Vince plays the role of Popoy, a very doting son. Married but still in the home he grew up in because he couldn't make ends meet as he supports his folks, his wife and kid too. Under circumstances that he couldn't control, he had to work for a gambling lord (played by Baron Geisler, an intense man at that). He takes commissions doing favors and finishing rivals in the dens they go to. Janelle and Angeli's character on the other hand are card sharks, and if you put two chicks in one bowl... the claws come out. That starts a whole other conflict not just in the game, but their relationships.. and their lives changed.
Here's our coverage of the private screening on video, enjoy!
I wouldn't want to spoil things for you, but definitely... a lot different from the usual Filipino flicks we see in cinemas. The material was worked on successfully by Direk Phil Giordano and Direk Brillante Mendoza. This will be shown this May 27th on VIVAMAX so make sure you download the app and subscribe to see this and other titles on their library. The film also had a tough premise, if you had no choice... would you do something illegal if lives were at stake?!
You can purchase subscription credits via online stores, if you're up to it, you'll definitely love the story.
I've had the pleasure of meeting Writer-Director Phil Giordano during the screening of Brillante Mendoza's masterpiece "Palitan" during the first week of December 2021. He's originally from Staten Island in New York, got his masters from NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia. He's pretty accomplished and has received a Grand Jury Prize at the New York Screenplay Contest for his short entitled "Supot".
He's no stranger to how we do films in the Philippines as I'm under the impression he's been working with Brillante Mendoza's production for a number of years. His handy work "Supot" that got around 10 accolades in Busan International Film Festival and several other award giving bodies - and have been shown in different countries as well. He's done several commercials and campaigns with well known brands like KFC, Porsche, Johnson & Johnson, Universal Music and others. Recently, they released a new movie which he made for the VIVAMAX platform called "PUSOY". This was something he already had written but made it extra spicy since it's likely to follow the theme of movies seen on the app.
As the title suggests, this is about a group of card hustlers lead by Baron Geisler's character Rodolfo. Their lives got complicated when they got caught in one of their cheating sprees and murdered a son of a politician played by Greg Hawkins (of Kuya Escort fame). Rodolfo got in a rut and had to seek help of a General which then forced him to go even deeper into debt... and the dark world of wagers, dirty money, women and vices. The film stars Janelle Tee who plays the role of Xandra. She's Rodolfo’s mistress with the same set of skills, providing the venue for love, trust and betrayal in different acts. Also in PUSOY are Vince Rillon, Angeli Khang, Felix Roco, Jela Cuenca, Julio Diaz, Raqel Monteza, Kiko Matos and Jacq Yu. This is pretty much an ensemble of new and experienced actors which we asked Director Phil Giordano about, let's listen in:
It's remarkable to see that we have the talented Director Phil Giordano making strides in the movie industry in the Philippines. I like his capacity to adapt, to make his films follow his style, which I deem stem from his hunger to create things and write at an early age. After seeing films done in the US, he knew he could do an even better job and got inspired with the great film makers. He's also planning to have a shorter version of this out for international film festivals, so this is just the start. Exciting times no?!
PUSOY by the way can be seen worldwide on VIVAMAX (this is produced by Brillante Mendoza), you can visit VIVAmax.net for more information about the movie and other titles in their library. Get in tourch with Phil on his social channels FB: https://www.facebook.com/PhilipJGiordano/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/philip_giordano.director if you want to see more of his work.
Baron was just a kid when I last met him. That was a party years ago of a common friend. It was his Ang TV days I think so he was kinda "the fat kid" then. I was doing the debut of a good high school friend and she was with Baron's brother if I'm not mistaken.
Anyway, that was a long time ago and a long shot from what he's doing right now. A lot of things happened like PBB and the cigarette and alcohol addiction... a few rumors of drug use... and his house burning to the ground. Today, its his word versus the daughter of William Martinez and Yayo Aguila. He's charged formally now with Acts of Lasciviousness and is punishable of getting jailed for a few years I think. This was because apparently there was an incident where he touched the young ladies' bumpers. I hate to say the B word hehe.
Well according to news reports he just entered a NOT GUILTY plea before the Makati City Metropolitan Trial Court. Now I don't know who's telling the truth but as long as the girl in the story was offended and felt abused then I guess its her right to defend herself right? I hope if he's guilty then he be put to jail but if he's not then I hope they all move on with their lives.
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