Film on internet scammer is PHL entry in Warsaw filmfest

A Philippine film about an internet scammer who falls in love with a prospective victim is the Philippines' entry to an international film festival in Poland.

The film "Babagwa (The Spider’s Lair)" by indie filmmaker Jason Paul Laxamana is competing in the 29th Warsaw International Film Festival from October 11 to 20, a news release on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website said.

Philippine Ambassador to Poland Patricia Ann Paez led embassy personnel and members of the Filipino community in welcoming Laxamana at Multikino Cinema at Zlote Tarasy, minutes before his film was shown.

The group had dinner with him, after which Laxamana was given a tour around the Old Town, the DFA said.

“Babagwa" tells the story of an internet scammer who falls in love with a wealthy old woman who he tried to swindle with a fake Facebook profile, according to an article on Cinemalaya.

The Cinemalaya article said Laxamana, 25, graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Broadcast Communication. It added he is based in Angeles City in Pampanga, and is the Luzon representative of the National Committee on Cinema.

He worked as a production assistant under directors Jeffrey Jeturian and Maryo J. delos Reyes.

Laxamana worked as script supervisor in “A Love Story” in 2007, and in Brillante Mendoza’s “Serbis” in 2008. He then made Kapampangan short films and music videos before making his first feature film in 2010, “Astro Mayabang.” — KBK, GMA News