Short film about Pinoy ‘TNT’ debuts in prestigious NY film fest

A short film about an undocumented Filipino alien in the United States will have its international debut in New York this October.

The film “TNT” (short for “tago ng tago” or “always on the run”) is among the Filipino films that will be featured in the International Film Festival Manhattan 2014 from October 23 to 26.

“TNT” is a story of an undocumented immigrant named Tony, who left the country to chase “the American dream,” only to be driven to the edge by a sly relative who furtively turns his dream into a nightmare.

Starring Perry Escaño, the short film is directed by Roberto Reyes Ang, who is born and raised in the Philippines but has spent most of his life in the US.

Among Ang's other films are “The Seduction” (2002), “The Brothers of Kappa Pi” (2009), “Letters from Alaska” (2010), and “Rage in Forty Frams” (2010).

Ang's films have been screened in various film festivals, including the Asian American International Film Festival in New York, the International Film Festival Manhattan, the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival, the FACINE, the Pandayang Lino Brocka Political Film and New Media Festival, and the Vientianale.

Other Filipino films included in the IFFM 2014 lineup are “Milky Boy”; “Traffic Light”; “Astray”; “In Nomine Matris,” which landed Liza Dino a nomination for Best Actress; “NYC Rooftop Story”; “Kaikou”; and “Mulat,” which landed Jake Cuenca a nomination for Best Actor.

Most Filipino entries will be screened from October 25 to 26 in the Philippine Center Kalayaan Hall, 5th Ave (on 46th St), New York City. —Bianca Rose Dabu/KBK, GMA News