“Puti” is the debut of writer-director Mike Alcazaren, who has wide experience in directing TV commercials, and it’s his tribute to former mentor Mike de Leon’s “Itim”. A psychological thriller, it stars Ian Veneracion as Amir Luna, a forger of well known paintings sold in the black market. After a car crash, he becomes color blind and his son, Brian Pagala, becomes comatose. Soon, strange things begin happening to him. Are they really happening or it’s all just in his mind.
Jasmine plays his assistant while Lauren plays the nurse who takes care of his son. Mike’s wife is Lizanne and their best man at their wedding is our friend Mike Asis, our co-volunteer at the Center for Family Ministries’ Discovery Weekend. Lizanne sang the Ilonggo lullaby “Ili-ili Tulog Anay” (also sung by Cherie Gil in “Sonata”) in a key scene of the movie while his sister in law, Beng Calma of Drip sang the theme song “My Eyes Deceive Me”.
Here’s hoping the CineFilipino Filmfest to be shown at Resorts World, Gateway, Lucky Chinatown Cinema and Eastwood Cinema will get better support from moviegoers than the entries in Sineng Pambansa. After all, they have the one and only Superstar, Nora Aunor, in “Kuwento ni Mabuti”. Now is the time for all supporters of Ate Guy to show that they have clout and can make their idol’s entry a real box office hit.
