DIANE VENTURA used to be known as the manager and wife of Ely Buendia. Now, she has created her own identity as a short filmmaker. Her “TheRapist” (a word play on the rapist and therapist), which she wrote, produced and helmed, is a 15-minuter that won an award as one of the Top 3 Most Popular entries in the International Filmfest Manhattan in New York City. It stars Cherie Gil as the authoritative therapist treating Marco Morales, who’s accused of raping a girl who he insists consented to his amorous advances and never said no. But there’s a big twist in the end that will surely surprise viewers. Well written and perfectly acted by the two leads, the film has been exhibited in 42 other festivals abroad. Also in the cast are Lally Buendia as Cherie’s secretary and Diane Dreyfus as the rape victim.
Ely himself wrote the musical score of the film, so it’s obvious that the couple maybe estranged but they’re in good terms. “We’re friends,” says Diane. “Dapat lang, as we have a son. Ely himself has just finished directing his first movie.”
Diane took up art studies in UP, advertising management in La Salle and filmmaking in New York University.
So when will she make a full length film? “I’m drafting the script for that. But first, I want to make another short film. Let’s take it one step at a time.”
