After 10 years, Marie Jamora presents her dream film 'Ang Nawawala'

Renowned commercial and music video director Marie Jamora finally presents her long-awaited feature-length film debut with Ang Nawawala.  Ang Nawawala is a finalist in the New Breed full-length feature category of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2012 and was made with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

 

In Ang Nawawala, Dominic Roco plays Gibson Bonifacio, who stopped speaking when he was a child. Now twenty years old, he returns home to Manila from his studies abroad, his first visit in three years. He finds his family trying to keep it together, his mother (played by Dawn Zulueta ) still hurting from a tragic loss in the past. Against the backdrop of the vibrant local music scene, his childhood best friend (played by Annicka Dolonius) tries to reconnect with him, while he unexpectedly finds a chance at a first, real romantic relationship. Amidst the holidays, Gibson reconsiders and redefines his relationships with his family, his friends, and with himself.  

 

A project almost ten years in development, the film is composed of images, characters, scenes and dialogue Jamora has been collecting since college and her years studying Film at Columbia University. 

 

She assembled a cast of prodigious talents, some from a series of open auditions and Cinemalaya casting sessions, fortunately getting her first choice performer for each major role.   

 

Her crew consists of trusted friends and professionals she has worked with in the past, including Hong Kong cinematographer Ming Kai Leung (her classmate at Columbia). “This is my dream film,” said the director, “one I’ve been thinking about for years, and there is nothing better than being able to make it with some of my best friends, who also happen to be damn good at their jobs. I have never been so happy on a set in my life. It's also because of our cast; I got everyone I wanted.”  

 

The film also features performances from some of the best bands and artists in the country, including Sandwich, Pedicab, Itchyworms!, Hannah + Gabi, Flying Ipis, Outerhope, Tarsius, and Ebe Dancel, many of whom wrote original songs for the film. 

 

Screening dates are from July 20-29, 2012 at CCP, Greenbelt, and Trinoma.

 

For more information, visit the website or find Ang Nawawala on Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook. 

 

Press release and photos from Ang Nawawala