A Prodigy in Red
by Jam A. Muñasque on July 28, 2010
The CCP chandeliers dim in comparison to the hundreds of miniscule lights that spell out “CINEMALAYA” in the theatre lobby. The very same lights illuminate the crowd who fill up the carpeted arena, fresh from the screening of short films (aptly titled “Shorts B”). Bursts of light go off every few seconds, complementing the excited chatter that permeates the room.
Enter Mikhail Red. He stands with a group of friends, but often someone would come up to say congratulations, shake his hand or take a picture. Everyone wanted a moment with the teenage wunderkind who attended Ateneo for a year before pursuing filmmaking full-time.
His very own Harang (“The Barriers”) was part of the lineup this year, which garnered Best Screenplay in the Short Feature category. Based on his dad’s experiences, Harang tells the story of a jeep driver who encounters a series of obstacles while driving along an isolated road.
When he took the stage to introduce his film, there was no mistaking the pride in his speech as he thanked the people who helped him create Harang. “It’s a universal film, a story that can happen anywhere,” Mik explains.
“It’s about distrust among strangers,” Mik continues musingly. “It’s about the collapse of coexistence between people.”
He then switches tracks. “I produce my films independently, so I work with people I’m close to. One of the characters in the film was my uncle. We shot in Laguna for five days, and it was a fun experience.”
Paulo Coelho famously wrote: When you want something, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it. This quote can certainly be applied to those who fulfilled their dreams. Certainly this 18-year old budding filmmaker is on his journey to success, with his earlier films already garnered top prizes in previous film fests.
“I can’t imagine [myself] doing anything else,” he says. “I even invest my own money in making films. I love film making.” He says this with the absolute certainty of someone who already knows what many of us are still looking for: a purpose.
Earlier this month, Mik travelled to Korea and bagged his very first international award: the grand prize of the Seoul Youth International Film Festival. The twist in this fairytale plot? He wasn’t there to receive it personally.
“I had to fly back for Cinemalaya. I’m happy, but I really wanted to be there. Sayang talaga,” he says.
Raymond Red, both his father and mentor, is considered to be one of the top pioneers of Filipino alternative cinema. He plays a huge role in his thriving passion for filmmaking, looking up to him as a source for advice in cinema and storytelling.
Mik is clear about what matters most, however. “Conviction,” he says emphatically. “My dad told me that it should never be my goal to make a film by [a certain] age. I should be equipped with the right skill, the right discipline before I pursue on making a film.”
Mik has a self-assured way of speaking, whether he is talking about the festival circuit or his working attitude. “In truth, I’m not that prolific,” he admits. “I take my time. I’m not into guerilla filmmaking.”
A perfectionist at heart, he repeatedly stresses that he makes his films as polished as they can be. He still continues to attend workshops and learns the proper protocol needed to create a film.
The result? Cinematic works that showcases an impressive feat of talent beyond his age.
For Mik, the future shines bright with ardor for his upcoming projects. “I want to make my first full-length film before I turn twenty,” he says eagerly. “I’m drafting several scripts. We’ll see what happens.”
