His Fil-Italian wife Yasmine Espiritu is leaving soon for Milan to deliver their second baby there. He’ll just follow after his films are shown in Cinemalaya. He has won a best actor award for a past Cinemalaya entry he did, “Colorum”. He now has a good chance of winning another one since “Teorya” revolves totally around his character, Jim, who returns to his native Zamboanga City after 10 years of being estranged from his dad. While looking for the place where his dad is buried, he goes all around Zamboanga, making this a road movie. He meets various characters, learns more about his dad and finds a missing piece in his life. How did he get the role?
“Robbie Tan of Cinemalaya referred Director Zurich Chan to me. Bagay raw sa’kin ang role. I read the script and I liked it immediately. I also like to help Zurich in his debut film.”
Zurich grew up in Zamboanga where they own a video rental store. Watching many of their movies inspired him to write and direct his own films. He writes his script in his native Chavacano and says he has his own unique visual style. Both “Busong” and “Teorya” will be shown at the CCP and Greenbelt 3 on July 16-24. For screening skeds, call CCP at 832-3704 or check their websites culturalcenter.gov.ph and cinemalaya.org.
