“Esoterika: Maynila” is now showing exclusively at the Shang Cineplex at Shangrila Mall on Shaw Blvd corner EDSA, up to September 20. The film won acclaim when shown at the 39th Hongkong International Filmfest last March. “I went there and the response of the audience in all the screenings was very encouraging. They were looking for Ronnie Liang, the lead actor, na sayang nga at hindi ko kasama roon. The film also had an SRO screening at 10th Cinema One Originals Filmfest at very positive din ang reaction ng audience. It will next be shown as the opening film of the 22nd Filipino Arts and Cinema International Filmfest in San Francisco this coming October where they’ll also give me a Lifetime Achievement Award.”
What’s “Esoterika” all about? “It’s the second in a trilogy of films I’m making about the creative process. The first one was ‘Otso’, which was about a scriptwriter. ‘Esoterika’ naman is about a graphic artist. I’m now shooting the third film, ‘Vaya Con Dios’, about a filmmaker whose memory is slipping away. This is autobiographical as that’s what I’m experiencing right now. Nakakalimot ako. It stars Amalia Fuentes, the idol of my youth that I wanted to be like her. Then naidirek ko siya sa ‘Isang Gabi, Tatlong Babae’ at lalo ko siyang minahal kasi she’s so nice, so intelligent, so cooperative. She’s my muse.”“Esoterika” is written by film critic/columnist Jessica Zafra, produced by Rex Tiri of T-Rex Productions in cooperation with the Film Development Council of the Philippines.