MY LIFE AS ART

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BY PETER SOLIS NERY

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AFTER a successful premiere at the Cinematheque Iloilo last Thursday, Dec. 8, Ikapito nga Adlaw – a film by Peter Solis Nery joins the 19 other competing films in the ongoing 4th Cinekasimanwa Film Festival at SM Cinema 1. The film will screen one last time on Dec. 14, Wednesday, at 8 p.m. together with the restored Lino Brocka classic Cain at Abel.

Cinekasimanwa: The Western Visayas Film Festival’s SM Cinema leg started over the weekend, and will continue until Dec. 18. Other venues of the country’s biggest regional festival include the Cinematheque Iloilo (where Nery’s film premiered), the WVSU-College of Communication screening room, and the UPV Cinematheque.

Ikapito nga Adlaw world premiere opened to a full-house attendance, thanks in most part to the students of WVSU, and to faithful friends, and devoted Peter Solis Nery supporters. But to be really honest, I was not impressed by the size of the crowd. So, what if the people at the Cinematheque think that I could pack their theater? So what if they had a considerably bigger income than the first few days of the Cinematheque leg of the Cinekasimanwa Festival?

I envisioned long lines at the box office. I dreamed of additional monoblock chairs put inside the screening room. In my mind, I have a bigger faith in the Ilonggo movie-viewing public. I totally forgot that we are a poor, lost people who work hard to earn a living. In short, mga pobreng alindahaw.

Consider: We premiered at 3:30 p.m. on a non-holiday Thursday, and despite my crude efforts at cartography and giving directions on Facebook, people seemed not to know where the Cinematheque is. I actually got text messages telling me people just went home because they were so lost, and couldn’t fine the Cinematheque. I find that freaking ridiculous!

Well, to those who expressed regret for not attending the premiere because of the working hour schedule, or the inaccessibility of the venue, you can all go to hell… or SM City Cinema 1 on Wednesday, Dec. 14, for the last chance to see the rather controversial Ikapito nga Adlaw.

Take note, it screens at 8:00 freaking p.m. Now, what other excuse can you make?

Although I was not truly over the moon about the premiere, I must also confess that I was happy as happy can be. I came in style a la Hollywood red carpet. I wore an orange Vietnamese dress I bought in Saigon last month, with additional beading by my local couturier. I was made up and hairstyled in Lady Gaga fashion. I had such a ball, and I enjoyed having my pictures taken, in additional to the obligatory selfies with fans old and new.

I won’t lie to you. I’m more disappointed at the size of the crowd at the 5:30 p.m. screening. The Dumangas delegation did not come as they promised, but that’s their loss really. I think that the invitation alone satisfied my commitment to their financial donation in making the film. For the same group of people, and those employees at the municipal hall, including some councilors, I am decided not to let anyone in for free at the SM Cinema 1 screening. If they can afford to leave me hanging on my premiere at the Cinematheque, I can surely afford to give them my nose on my SM Cinema premiere. But SM Cinema and Cinekasimanwa are not mine, so they can still buy their tickets, and watch the movie they helped produce.

Truth be told, I am getting very excited for the SM Cinema premiere on Wednesday. I am no longer thinking of the long lines and big crowds rushing to watch my film. I mean, I continue to invite people, but because I am sharing the time slot with another competing film, and the Lino Brocka movie, the pressure is less. I know I can pack a venue by myself. Now, I just have to dazzle everyone at the SM red carpet.

Already, my stylist has decided that I will have a Great Wall hairdo, with the pink version of my beaded Vietnamese dress. I will probably go commando, too, considering how a big hit it was at my Cinematheque premiere. But, I will style down a little bit, and make my pink selfie stick fashionable. Because, honestly, I forgot to take out my phone during my world premiere at the Cinematheque. All of my photos from the event are from other people’s phones, and cameras.

I really like the red carpet element of premieres and film fests. And trust me, I work the crowd as a real diva. I would even say that my red carpet appearance is better than my movie. I mean, although both are collaborative art, and both need perfection, what I bring to the red carpet as a performance artist is more precious than gold. It’s really something that people should experience themselves for them to be able to judge the provocateur in me.

In my last Friday’s column, I promised that it was the last time I’d campaign for Ikapito nga Adlaw’s showing at the Cinekasimanwa Film Festival. I stand by that decision. I mean, come for the movie, and see the daring and balls I shared with you in that history-making 15 minuter, if you want. But I’m done promoting it.

I’m just promoting my appearance at Wednesday’s red carpet now. Come see Peter Solis Nery, the performance artist, as he struts and flirts with the crowd at SM Cinema 1 lobby starting 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 14. Because if Cinekasimanwa: The Western Visayas Film Festival wants to be really world-class, it can afford a Peter Solis Nery in costume!

See you at SM Cinema 1 on Wednesday. And see you at the movies!/PN
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