It's been almost a year since Petersen Vargas' critically-acclaimed coming-of-age film 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten swept everyone off their feet with it's honest and raw portrayal of friendship and first love in last year's Cinema One Originals. The film earned 11 nominations from the festival, including a Best Actor nomination for it's star, Khalil Ramos. The film ended up winning 3 awards: Best Cinematography for Carlos Mauricio, Best Supporting Actor for Jameson Blake and the highly-coveted Best Film. The film also got director Vargas a Best First Feature award in the 27th Young Critics Circle Awards, and nominations for Khalil Ramos (Best Actor, 40th Gawad Urian Awards) and Jameson Blake (New Movie Actor of the Year, 33rd Star Awards for Movies).
Last September 23, 2017, the film was screened for this year's Cine Europa at the Premiere Theater of Shang Cineplex, Edsa Shangri-la Manila. After the screening, I was able to meet and have a little conversation with one of the film's star, Ethan Salvador who plays Magnus Snyder.
Ethan Salvador, originally from Las Vegas where he grew up with his mother, started pursuing his acting career at the age of 16. Acting has always been in his blood, even before he met his estranged father, ’80s Regal actor Emil Salvador. His first venture into showbiz in the country was the now defunct reality show,Pinoy Boy Band Superstar. After this, he got one of the lead roles in Petersen Vargas' full length debut and entry to the 12th Cinema One Originals Film Festival. His performance in the film earned him rave reviews, and even got him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Since then, he had joined different projects here and there, from a cameo role in the Sarah Lahbati horror pic Ang Pagsanib Kay Leah Dela Cruz, as leading man in one of the episodes of the teen anthology series Wattpad Presents (Episode: Breaking the Bad Boy) and now as part of ABS-CBN's newset Primetime series The Good Son.
Here is my short interview with everyone's favorite Omega Boy, Ethan Salvador. Q: Did you had hesitations in accepting the role after learning that it's a queer film? Ethan: No, not at all. I had hesitations just because it was my first film and because I was originally be casted as Maxim. So when I read the masturbation scene, I was like hmm, i don't know. But I mean, hey, the show must go on. Art is art. So let's just go with it. It's just a character. And then, they put me as Magnus. But I have no objectification against gay people. Lesbian people.
Q: Did you expect that the film would be this successful? I mean after winning last year's Cinema One Originals Best Film award, it got the Audience Choice Award in the 32nd Lovers Film Festival, and now it is being shown in Hong Kong and soon in Vancouver.
Ethan: Yeah. That... That... That blew my mind. I had no idea this film would reach that high of a magnitude. I mean, we won three things but... Everyone loves it. I'm just happy for that.
Q: What was the first thing that you said when you first saw yourself in the movie?
Ethan: I said this is so weird. So weird. Right? You know, when you see yourself on TV, it's just... you're not only watching yourself, you're watching the character but at the same time, it is you. I kinda don't like watching myself on TV or movies. It just feels weird (laughs).
Q: So after 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten, you had a small role in the horror film ang Pagsanib kay Leah Dela Cruz as Sarah Lahbati's younger brother...
Ethan: Oh, yeah. Yeah. Did you see that?
Me: Yeah. I watched it.
Ethan: Wow.
Q: And you were in an episode of Wattpad Presents, a part in the upcoming Goyo film and some endorsements here and there. So among all the characters that you have played, would you consider Magnus Snyder as the most memorable role ever?
Ethan: Uhm... I mean, there's so many movies that I wanna do. But I guess you could say that. This is my very first big movie character. So yeah, he's my most memorable character.
Q: So there were some fans of the film (me included) who were hoping to see a happy ending, or at least see Felix and Magnus being together by the end of the movie (alive). If you were given the chance, would you prefer a happy ending for the two characters?
Ethan: No. No. If I could, no. I like it just the way it is. It gives it more robust, because I mean, the Philippines is all about happy endings. And then, you put a movie like this, it's just like shucks. Everybody would go oh, what? They didn't go to college? Oh, he died. Aw, so sad (laughs).
Q: Okay, so last question. Tell me, why are you too cool to be forgotten?
Ethan: Because I am chasing my dreams like everyone else, and that everyone can chase their dreams. So, yeah.
Ethan Salvador during the Q&A after the Cine Europa screening
Everyone is excited to meet Magnus Snyder
Me, with Ethan Salvador after the Cine Europa screening.
Petersen Vargas' highly acclaimed coming-of-age film 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten bags the Audience Choice Award at the LGBTQI Film Festival. The film had it's international premiere last June 17 & 18, 2017 at Multisala Cinema Massimo in Turin, Italy as part of the Torino LGBTQI Film Festival. It is the ONLY Asian Film in competition this year, programmed alongside titles like Andrew Ahn's Sundance-winning Spa Night and 2017 Berlinale's The Wound, among others.
"2 COOL 2 BE 4GOTTEN wins the Audience Award at the 32nd Lovers Film Festival - Torino lgbtqi Visions! For a film that has been restricted to be shown to its ideal audience in the Philippines, it has found an enthusiastic, loving audience somewhere far away from home. Bittersweet." Source: 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten Facebook page
After it's successful theatrical release in the Philippines last March 2017, Petersen Vargas' critically acclaimed film finally gets it's international debut. His coming-of-age film 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten is among the films in the Main Competition of the 32nd Torino LBTQI Film Festival (Lovers Film Festival-Torino LGBTQI Visions). Starring Khalil Ramos, Ethan Salvador and Jameson Blake, the highly-acclaimed film, set in the late 90s in Angeles, Pampanga, follows Felix Salonga, a friendless achiever, who is bent on topping his class to elevate his status from a resettlement area. Magnus & Maxim Snyder, half-American brothers, want nothing but to escape life from the Philippines with their prostitute mother and live with their American GI father in the US. The Snyder brothers each have their own way of reaching this dream. One struggles to finish high school with the promise of America after graduation while the mischievous one has a dark, sinister plan. As Felix develops a relationship with the brothers, he unearths desires within him he never confronted before. He slowly learns that behind the manicured lawns of “Little America,” each of his actions can lead to fatal consequences. [Star Cinema]
The film is one of the most controversial Filipino movies of 2017 after the film was slammed with an R-18 rating by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). The film was originally given a much lower R-16 rating by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) during it's limited theatrical run as part of the Cinema One Originals Film Festival. The R-18 rating surprised many, and was met with negative response from critics and audiences alike. Nevertheless, the film was met warmly by the Filipino audience, receiving positive response from viewers.
Source: 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten Facebook page
And last June 17 & 18, 2017, the film had it's international premiere at Multisala Cinema Massimo in Turin, Italy as part of the Torino LGBTQI Film Festival. It is the ONLY Asian Film in competition this year, programmed alongside titles like Andrew Ahn's Sundance-winning Spa Night and 2017 Berlinale's The Wound, among others. Also included in the festival is Jared Joven and Kaj Palanca’s short film, Contestant #4, an entry in last year’s QCinema fest. The Torino LGBTQI Film Festival is an important Italian cinematographic event, also well known in the international circuit. It is co-organized together with the Turin National Museum of Cinema and it is supported by public institutions, cultural ones and private sponsors. The festival, initially conceived simply as a programme of films focusing on LGBT themes, the event became a Festival in 1989 and was recognized as such by the Italian Ministry of Culture and Entertainment in 1990. Now, the festival attracts over 45 thousand people and is now the most important LGBTQ film festival in Italy and one of the oldest ones worldwide. [LoversFF website, 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten Facebook Page].
After the successful theatrical release of his first full length feature, 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten (Winner, 2016 Cinema One Originals Best Film), director Petersen Vargas revisits his first "baby" that catapulted his name and has earned him multiple honors here and abroad. Last week, his award-winning short film Lisyun Qng Geografia (Geography Lessons) was shown back to back with 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten during the latter's encore screenings at UP Film Theater, UP Diliman. Here, director Petersen Vargas has announced that he has teamed up with Vincent Aseo for the Limited Edition DVD of his short film, Lisyun Qng Geografia. The special and final DVD release of the short film includes 4 post cards specially designed by Vincent Aseo, a 30-page zine containing Tin and Tric's diary and a DVD containing the Lisyun Qng Geografia and other short films by Petersen Vargas.
They're now taking online orders for the LIMITED EDITION DVD package of Lisyun Qng Geografia. There are ONLY 50 COPIES for this last batch of releases so make sure to get yours while they last. You can order your copy here.
The complete of the LIMITED EDITION DVD of Lisyun Qng Geografia
The beautiful postcards designed by illustrator Vincent Aseo
Director Petersen Vargas and illustrator Vincent Aseo selling copies of the DVD and postcard
at the encore screening of Lisyun Qng Geografia back to back with 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten
in UP Cine Adarna, UP Diliman last April 29, 2017
Director Petersen Vargas enthusiastically discussing the film
with some audiences after the screening
Me with director Petersen Vargas!
Director Petersen Vargas gave me a poster of Lisyun Qng Geografia as a gift!
Thank you so much, direk!
The saddest love stories are the ones that could have been but never were.
And what could be more sad than people falling in love with their best friend but not getting the same kind of love in return. This is the central theme of Petersen Vargas award-winning 2014 short film Lisyun Qng Geografia, which literally translates to Geography Lessons. The short film is one of Vargas' earliest works, two years ahead of his full length feature debut that catapulted him to fame amongst Filipino film enthusiast which is 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten (2016). But little did most of us knew that the 20-minute short film is the one that paved the way for him to earn a spot in the indie cinema scene here in the country after it earned him the Best Direction award at the 11th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.
I've been trying to find a way to watch this short film since last year, after I became an avid fan of director Petersen. Luckily, this year, he revisits his baby for a limited encore screening of Lisyun in UP Diliman, back to back with his 2 Cool, followed by a special edition DVD release of the short film. And I was so lucky to finally get the chance of watching the short film and of course, I have to write my thoughts about it here in my blog. So here is my review of Petersen Vargas' Lisyun Qng Geografia.
The film follows Tib Apostol (Earl Policarpio), who finds an old map made by his estranged best friend from high school, Tric (Ross Pesigan). This triggers him to retrace all the places that are special to him and his friend, remembering how the their friendship fell apart along the way. Writer and director Petersen Vargas once said that this film was inspired by some of his real life experiences. I guess that is the main reason why the story felt so raw and authentic. The dialogues, so real and normal. The characters, flawed but honest. The circumstances that they encounter, very common in real life.
I love the way the story was written, especially how it was narrated. Instead of following the traditional pattern of a narrative, the story goes back and forth from the past to the present, slowly revealing what has happened before and it's consequences now. Because of this, the 20-minute duration of the film was put into good use. I also love how both characters were written. They looked and talked and acted just like how normal teenage boys would. They don't feel so manufactured for the sake of having empathetic characters. Instead, they're written with all honesty, and that what makes them relatable.
Earl Policarpio and Ross Pesigan did a wonderful job in bringing these characters to life. Their acting were really good, and their portrayal of Tib and Tric will tug your hearts out. Both of them complemented one another which adds more punch and pull to the interactions of the two characters. I guess the best example of this is the confrontation scene between the two, which is also my favorite scene in the film. The chemistry of both actors gives more impact to the scene, making it more intense and heartbreaking.
Technically, the film is more than marvelous. It's gorgeous cinematography, mostly composed of bluish toned palette of backgrounds, evokes a sense of calmness, reminiscent of those carefree days when we were still young and we didn't have to worry about bills or work or careers. Chill, that's the word that perfectly describes it's chosen color palette. The film's music also complemented this with it's serene and light soundtrack featuring the songs of Ourselves The Elves.
Although there's a two-year gap between Lisyun Qng Geografia and 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten, one would still notice the similarities of the two. There's a lot of scenes in 2 Cool that were references to Lisyun which gives it a feeling that both films share the same universe. Both films tackle themes of homosexuality and self-awakening. But unlike 2 Cool which goes for a much darker territory, Lisyun chooses a much more quiet and subtle path which is grounded in reality.
Sweet, humorous and romantic, yet heart wrenching towards the end, the film is a perfect exploration of relationships between two people who share different feelings for each other. And with it's honest portrayal of love, anyone can definitely relate to the film. Yes, it is painful to watch, but it is also good and beautiful and unforgettable.
Rating:✰✰✰✰✰ out of 5
Lisyun Qng Geografia (2014) Starring Earl Policarpio and Ross Pesigan, Directed by Petersen Vargas Winner, Best Direction-11th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival
I initially intended to write a second review of Petersen Vargas' film 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten. But then, I changed my mind. I already wrote one before (you can check it out here) and I want to write something different this time. So I planned on writing an article arguing why the film doesn't deserve it's R-18 rating from the MTRCB. But eventually, I ended up here, writing an open letter to the people behind the film, on my thoughts about the movie (after rewatching it for seven times now) and how it affected my life, seriously.
Let me start from the very beginning.
Last year, I fell in love with Filipino indie films. I've been watching Pinoy indie flicks before but I wasn't much of a follower or a fan. Then, I saw Ice Idanan's Sakaling Hindi Makarating, an entry from the 2016 CineFilipino film Festival. I immediately loved the film (not realizing that it was co-written by Petersen Vargas too), and it prompted me to watch some other entries from the said festival. After that, I started looking for more Pinoy indie films to watch and the next one that got my attention was Nestor Abrogena's Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa. I tried to watch it then at Cinematheque Manila, but I didn't know the place so I got lost. Luckily, a new friend of mine (on Facebook) who is a blogger and film buff (let's just call him Jonell Estillore) brought me to this really cool place in Mandaluyong, Cinema '76, a micro-theater screening Filipino indie films. I was able to watch Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa and was blown away with it (that twist ending was Aca-mazing!). So since then, I've been visiting Cinema '76 once in a while to check out their line up of indie films.
Then around November 2016 came the 2016 Cinema One Originals. At first, I wasn't sure which film to pick since it was the first time that I will be watching a Cinema One Originals film fest entry. Plus the list of film titles that they released back then doesn't even have any summary nor genre description included. The first title that got my attention was this film called 2 cool 2 Be 4gotten. I thought it sounded weird but catchy. But I wasn't sure if I'm going to see it since I didn't know what it all about. So I thought I'd just wait for the festival itself, and check out the trailers they will have for each film. After a few days, the trailer for 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten was released. The trailer featured Khalil Ramos as the lead. I've been watching him since he became a finalist in Pilipinas Got Talent before, and I've seen him in a lot of films like She's Dating The Gangster, A Second Chance and Honor Thy Father. The film looked like a barkada type movie, a coming-of-age film (my weakness). The trailer was a bit mysterious (I even thought it was a mystery thriller, ha ha!), but it definitely convinced me to watch it. So I went to Trinoma the next day after I got out of work and went to buy a ticket for the Premier Night that same day. I was surprised when I found out that the screening was almost sold out. Luckily, I got a seat at the far left row. I actually wanted to sit in the middle as I always do when watching a movie inside the cinema but there wen't any available seats left.
November 17, 2016. I thought I was gonna be late for that night gala premiere at Cinema 1 of Trinoma. Lukicly, I got there before the screening started. And I have no idea that this night would turn out to be one of the most unforgettable moments of my life (wow, heavy!)
The cast and crew of the film during their gala premiere.
November 17, 2016. Cinema 1, Trinoma.
After watching the film, I even got the chance to meet the cast, Khalil Ramos, Ethan Salvador and Jameson Blake with their director Petersen Vargas. They were really cool and accommodating. They even stayed outside the cinema to take a photo op with the audiences who watched the film (even if the mall was already closing). After that, I headed for work. On my way, I still can't forget the movie. There is this weird feeling that lingers in me. I don't know what it is. I can't even explain it. I just felt connected to the film. This prompted me to watch the film for the second time during it's screening at Cinematheque Center Manila on November 20, 2016, Sunday. Then, after the film won the Best Picture award at the festival and earned itself another screening, I took that opportunity and watched it again. After seeing it for the second and third time, I finally realized why I felt so connected to the movie. I saw myself in Felix' character. We share some similarities to the point that some scenes in the film even reflect past events in my life (minus the part where he fell in love with his best friend Magnus and that sexually charged one-on-one with Maxim). I guess it triggered something in me. Something in my memory. Something painful. Something so close to my heart.
It was my best friend. One of the most coolest guy I met in my life. He was so close to me. He was the brother that I never had.
March 24, 2016. The day of my birthday. And yes, it was also Maundy Thursday. Probably the worst day to celebrate your birthday since you cannot even celebrate because it's Holy Week. You can't visit the mall because they're closed. You can't even eat any meat because you're fasting. That was the same day that I met him. Actually, I've been seeing him for some time now before that day. He got transferred to our department a few weeks back. I've been talking to him for a while but we were never close. He was this weird, silent kid. Pale white (like Magnus). He was always dressed up so well. So neat. Always sitting away from the rest of the team. But on that day, we became friends. He gave me this chocolate bar as a gift for my birthday and greeted me. That was the best thing that happened to me that day. When we went home, we took the bus together and we talked about a lot of stuff. Random stuff. I found out that we liked the same things, from superhero movies (Marvel vs. DC) to the bands that we listen to. We became really close since then.
Then months passed. We became best friends. We even had a codename. I called myself Steve Rogers and he was Bucky Barnes from Captain America. The greatest best friends in the Marvel universe. We celebrated his birthday by watching a movie together: Now You See Me 2. He would accompany me to SM North whenever I'm buying a new comic book at Filbars. He became a big influence in me. I started dressing up as well. Usually, you would see me coming to work wearing Tshirt. But since I started hanging out with him, I started wearing my polo and long sleeved shirts. I don't know. I had to look neat whenever I'm with him, I guess. I became so hooked with superhero movies and TV series. But after five months, everything changed.
He left the company. He had to go.
August 8,2016. That was the last day I saw him.
It took a big toll on me. I was depressed for weeks. A month even. But after a while, I started to accept the fact that some things in this life just don't last a lifetime. Mostly, the good ones. After a few weeks, I was okay. I guess. Then, I saw this movie. And it brought back all my memories of him. My best friend. The first person that I treated as my own brother.
The movie's tagline was right. You will never forget your first.
This movie brought all my memories of my best friend. All the happy ones. Even the sad ones. Never have I ever watched a movie that hit me so hard like 2 Cool. Okay. Let me clarify something first. I'm not gay. I'm straight. But I could really relate to Felix' character. He felt like a real person to me. Yeah, I fell in love with the character. Petersen Vargas and Jason Paul Laxamana created one of the best movie characters in history (for me). I became so attached to the character that for weeks, I suffered from separation anxiety from him after watching the movie. I guess that's the reason why I went to watch their two screenings of the film as part of the Cinema One Original's rerun at Cine Adarna, UPFI Film Center, UP Diliman last January. I also went to see the film during it's screening for the 5th Freedom Film Festival at De La Salle University last February (where director Petersen Vargas announced the film's nationwide release).
From L-R:
Khalil Ramos, Director Petersen Vargas, Jameson Blake, me and Producer Alemberg Ang
during the Cinema One Original's re-run at the
Cine Adarna, UPFI Film Center, UP Diliman. January 16, 2017.
I became dedicated in supporting Filipino indie films because of this movie. So I started this blog. Originally, I wanted to showcase those Filipino independent films here, but eventually I started including mainstream movies here as well after the success of the recent Metro Manila Film Festival. I wanted to show my support for the film and share it to other people. So I kept on telling my friends about this film and how it affected me, over and over again. When it was announced that the film will be having it's nationwide release on March 15, 2017, I couldn't be more excited. Finally, other people would be able to watch this film and experience how awesome it is. I kept on promoting it to my friends and other people I know. From Facebook, Twitter and even Instagram, I kept on posting about it to let others know how good this movie is.
But a day before the film screens in cinemas nationwide, something unexpected happened. Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) slammed it with a hard R-18 rating, meaning that the movie will only be shown to audiences 18 years old and above. This also means that the film's availability will be limited and the supposedly nationwide release that Star Cinema has announced weeks ago will not be possible. SM Cinema, the country's biggest movie theater chain has been showing the film's trailer days on every screening they have before the film's playdate, March 15 (I even saw it's trailer during a screening of the filmPwera Usog at SM Fairview). But because of the film's R-18 rating, they have removed the film from their line up. Originally given an R-16 rating, Petersen Vargas and the film's team appealed for a much lower (and obviously more appropriate) R-13 rating. But instead, the MTRCB slapped them with an R-18 rating. Only viewers who are 18 years old and above can be admitted in the film's screening. An “R-18” classification advises viewers, parents, and supervising adults that the film may contain any of the elements that may not be suitable for children below 18 years of age.
I couldn't be more frustrated. I was heartbroken. Not only for the film but for director Petersen Vargas. I remember during their Q&A at the 5th Freedom Film Festival after one of their screening that when he was young, he had always wanted to watch a movie like 2 Cool. But during his time, there weren't any Filipino movies like this. There weren't any movie that he can relate to his current situation. And so he dreamed of making a movie for those kids like him before. But because of the film getting an R-18 rating, those kids won't have the chance to see the film. Those kids whom he dedicated this film to.
feels like a cheat to have promised a "nationwide" release & yet find out this is as far your small, small film could go. breaks my heart.
— Petersen 4-Ever (@petersenvargas) March 14, 2017
I have seen 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten. Based on all the movies I've seen, and the ratings that came with them, it does not deserve an R-18.
— Phil Dy (@philbertdy) March 15, 2017
#2Cool2BeForgotten got an R-18 from MTRCB.
Di ipapalabas sa SM.
Because it's 'gay'.
Pero yung sumasabog na bungo sa Logan okay lang, no?
— Juan Miguel Severo (@TheRainBro) March 14, 2017
As I quote Felix' opening line: I am in a conundrum. This is not the first time an MTRCB rating has stumped me. It's just so stupid. Remember that the Hollywood release, John Wick 2 and Logan, both received a much lower R-16 rating despite the heavy amount of violence, blood and gore in the film (Logan even featured a breast exposure in one scene). Another recent Hollywood release, Beauty and the Beast (2017) was rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for some action violence, peril and frightening images, but was rated G (General Audiences) by the MTRCB, meaning viewers of all ages are admitted even without a parent or supervising adult. As of today, these Hollywood releases dominate cinemas across the country, with 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten being the only recent Filipino release. According to the MTRCB's official statement, the youth-oriented film has no redeeming social value, therefore making the film inappropriate to be seen by minors. Come on, did you guys even watched the actual film? The film doesn't deserve that freaking R-18 rating. Take it from someone who have seen the film seven times now (the 7th time was during the film's opening day last March 15). An R-13 rating would have been much more appropriate. An R-16 is a bit too much but still acceptable. But an R-18 rating is just plain stupid. Calling it as having no redeeming social value is way more stupid. I mean, coming out of the closet and discovering one's self has no redeeming social value? How about finding friendship as strong as Felix and Magnus? Or fighting for someone you loved, despite the consequences it may bring you? And what about accepting who you really are? Accepting and being confident in revealing the real you? Isn't all that redeeming value?
I hope this will serve as a wake-up call to all the Filipinos out there. We shouldn't let these people in their not-so-deserving government positions dictate us what is good or bad for us. We shouldn't let them tell us which movies are within our morals. We have our minds to decide which are suitable for us and which are the ones that are not.
Despite all that, I am still thankful because I was very lucky to experience this one hell of a film. I'm so thank ful because I am one of those people who have been touched by this little movie in so many ways. I am so thankful for the people behind this film because they made a movie that seemed so impossible to make and release it in mainstream theaters. Thank you, direk Jason Paul Laxamana for creating this marvelous story. Thank you direk Petersen Vargas for breathing life into this characters. Thank you to Khalil Ramos, Ethan Salvador and Jameson Blake for bravely taking these challenging roles and giving justice to each one of these characters. Please remember that I will always be your movie's number one fan.
I guess in the end, all we could do now is to show our support for the film. Watch the film in cinemas while they're still screening. Share it to your friends. Post about it in social media sites and let everyone know how good it is. At least with that, we have a pretty good fight. Support indie films. Show our love for Filipino films.
And to quote Felix one last time...
At this moment, I have this little gem called 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten that I will cherish forever. "And nothing, not even the strongest force of nature can take that away from me."
The teen coming-of-age film 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten from director Petersen Vargas (Lisyun Qng Geografia, Hanging Out) starring Khalil Ramos, Ethan Salvador and Jameson Blake hits theater this Wednesday, March 15, 2017. The film is one of last year's critically acclaimed Filipino films and has won numerous awards in the 2016 Cinema One Originals, from Best Picture, Best Cinematography and Best Supporting Actor for Jameson Blake. The movie is the second Cinema One Originals film entry that Star Cinema has picked up for nationwide distribution after Samantha Lee's Baka Bukas. But on March 14, a day before the film's release, the film was given an R-18 rating by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). The film was originally given a much lower R-16 rating by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) during it's limited theatrical run as part of the Cinema One Originals Film Festival. The R-18 rating surprised many, and was met with negative response from critics and audiences alike. It can be noted that the recent Hollywood release, Beauty and the Beast (2017) was rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for some action violence, peril and frightening images, but was rated G (General Audiences) by the MTRCB, meaning viewers of all ages are admitted even without a parent or supervising adult.
"No redeeming social value. Uhm... so coming out and discovering one's self has no value at all?
The youth-oriented film is set in the late 90s in Angeles, Pampanga, almost a decade after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Felix Salonga, a friendless achiever, is bent on topping his class to elevate his status from a resettlement area. Magnus & Maxim Snyder, half-American brothers, want nothing but to escape life from the Philippines with their prostitute mother and live with their American GI father in the US. The Snyder brothers each have their own way of reaching this dream. One struggles to finish high school with the promise of America after graduation while the mischievous one has a dark, sinister plan. As Felix develops a relationship with the brothers, he unearths desires within him he never confronted before. He slowly learns that behind the manicured lawns of “Little America,” each of his actions can lead to fatal consequences.
