A Gay Eye-Opener
by Alexis M. Dy on September 4, 2011
Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington preaches acceptance of homosexuals through humor . Photo from the Internet
Director: Jade Castro
Writers: Raymond Lee, Michiko Yamamoto, Jade Castro
Producer: Raymond Lee
Cast: Martin Escudero, Roderick Paulate, Janice de Belen, Eugene Domingo, John Regala, Lauren Young, Kerbie Zamora
Production and Distribution Company: Origin8 Media Corp.
Homosexual people continue to have a tough time in today’s society, getting ridiculed by those who – out of fear or prejudice, perhaps – refuse to show them any respect.
In Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington, the gays in Lucban, Quezon have it worse – they are the targets of a serial killer armed with a weapon that curiously resembles a Bedazzled hairdryer.
It wasn’t the best idea, then, for a young Remington (Martin Escudero) to point at the flamboyantly dressed homosexuals in town and cry, “Bakla, bakla!” One takes serious offense in this and places a curse on him: “Paglaki mo, magiging bakla ka.”
Fifteen years later, as the killer continues to attack Lucban’s gay population, Remington begins to notice some peculiar changes. Manila-educated Hannah (Lauren Young) isn’t as attractive to him anymore. His skin has become hair-free and silky smooth, with his wardrobe comprised of candy-colored baby T-shirts. Oh, and is that a kembot in his step?
Escudero shines as the film’s leading man, with his transformation into a bona fide beki as his best scenes. One memorable sequence takes place in the bathroom, where he tries to name various items in proper Filipino instead of in bekimon. With the precision of his facial expressions and body language, his performance is reminiscent of American actor Chris Colfer’s own acclaimed portrayal of Kurt (the equally endearing gay character on the American television show Glee).
The graphics added in post-production are a visual delight, especially those featured in Remington’s dance solo. The humorous choreography (created by Escudero himself) is supplemented with unicorns, rainbows and a vividly colored dance floor.
While a campy and fun watch, Zombadings scores low in some departments. The film seems to have two main plots that are haphazardly stitched together during the climax. The plot-holes left unanswered may leave audience viewers confused. Also, viewers who aren’t as well versed in bekimon will certainly need the subtitles that flash onscreen, but these either disappear too quickly or show up a beat late in some scenes. Despite the film’s title, the zombies don’t come in until three-quarters into the movie.
Although there have been allegations that Zombadings is an anti-gay film, the filmmakers have made it clear that it is anything but. For example, in the scene wherein a townsperson rants about Lucban’s gay population during a town fiesta, his words are abruptly silenced by sounds of a passing marching band.
By poking fun at the Filipino gay stereotypes (for instance, many of the town’s beauty parlors have closed in light of the murders), Zombadings celebrates their vibrant contributions to today’s local culture, further underscoring that society should start giving them the understanding and acceptance they deserve.
