Zombadings. What a clever title! A unique concept. Zombies and badings (homosexuals). An unholy mixture of two things that don’t have anything in common… or do they?

Before I expound on that, let me inform you that this is in fact a comedy and a really funny one at that.

Quick summary

Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington follows the story of a young man named Remington (Martin Escudero) who as a boy, was cursed into a “doomed” future of becoming what he hates the most-  a gay man. Fast forward into the future and Remington is almost 21 years old. Tall, good-looking and very manly. Each night however, he is haunted by a violent spirit who somehow manages to turn him into a full-pledged bading, one day at a time. It starts with his new fashion preferences (hello tight shirts and short shorts!), then a change in his jargon (Swardspeak, mga atey), followed by an evolution in his physical movements and sexual preference. While all this is happening, a serial killer roams around their small town, targeting gay people and killing them for no apparent reason. Remington, together with his friends, then try to break the curse and solve the mysteries about the killings. But when the all the undead sisters rise from their graves to take revenge, all hell breaks loose…

My comments

The movie is very easy to enjoy. You don’t have to be uber intellectual or artsy to appreciate it. There are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, as well as choice sequences where you’ll cringe a little but still laugh in the process. Mind you, I watched it with a straight guy who isn’t a big indie fan, but I was pleasantly surprised to see him laughing his heart out and thoroughly enjoying the film. Aside from executing the entertainment well, the movie also sends nice meaningful messages along the audience’s way. Expect a lot of word play throughout the film.

Martin Escudero did a good job with his acting. He really looked the part both as the macho Remington and as the slowly-becoming-gay Remington. I actually wonder on whether or not he’s straight in real life. Hehe. He reminded me of Nathan Lopez from Ang Pagdadalada ni Maximo Oliveros (which incidentally was also written by Michiko Yamamoto).

John Regala, is really the epitome of a brusko father- effective as ever. Roderick Paulate is still brilliant in his forte niche(gay roles). As for the other members of the cast, sadly, I couldn’t say the same. Janice de Belen lacked the toughness required in her role as police chief. Her side kick policewoman is just plain annoying. The others, were not too memorable. But since the movie is more plot-driven rather than character-centric, you don’t dwell on the acting too much. Instead, you follow what’s going to happen next.

(Check out this post about Zombie Survival 101 haha!)

Watch out for a cameo by Marian Rivera btw.

The film may not be an accurate portrayal of ALL gay people in our society, but it does venture bravely into that territory.

Personally, the movie is not as memorable as I hoped it would be but I did have a great time watching it.

My favourite parts:

• The summoning of the demon spirit while in Paulate’s household. Laughtrip chant and macho dancers!

Charuterang sprikitik umappear ka vakler, magpa-feel magpa-sense ditey sa baler…

• As the gay zombies rise from their graves, they are shot against the moon and while limping out, they immediately strike a pose! (diva-style)
• The sequences where Remington about his growing love for the female lead and his confusing attraction to his best friend. Funny. (Kilig?)
• When Jon Regala said “Bakit kapag naging bakla ba ko, hindi na pwedeng maging ama?” He has a good point there.
• When the serial killer was asked on why he hates gay people so much, he started his litany, only to be muffled by the loud sounds of a passing marching band. I think this implies that whatever he was saying was not really important and is just plain old, unreasonable gibberish. Some people hate gays for no justifiable reason. Tsk tsk.

Lasting impressions:

First of all, let me congratulate the Filipino viewing public. I believe that their taste is now evolving and people really are getting more and more open to different film flavours. Aside from Zombadings, Thelma, another Pinoy indie movie, was showing that day and more are in the lineup for wide release.

I realized that zombies and gay people do have some things in common. They are both feared by people. Even if misunderstood or irrational, both are seen as destructive to life and society. This of course is not true (at least for the badings part) but it really was a great (and fun) idea to combine these two concepts.

My recommendation for Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington therefore is:

KERIBELS, TEH! GORA LANG!

Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington (2011) is directed by Jade Castro. Written by Raymond Lee, Michiko Yamamoto and Jade Castro.

You might also like these posts:

1. Cinemalaya 2011 Part 3: Ang Babae sa Septic Tank Review Alright, I’m down to my last post about Cinemalaya 2011....