SPOT:
Zombadings director Raymond Lee calls Martin Escudero “a revelation” in this never-before-seen clip showing the actor’s try-out to play the part of Remington. The hit movie’s lead role—a homophobic youngster faced with a curse that turns him into a short-shorts-wearing, tiny-tee-sporting bakla—was admittedly hard to cast, Lee said. It was a comedic role after all, one that needed to be played by someone “who’s very good at physical comedy but hindi OA,” and Escudero’s “brooding” roles in the past almost immediately disqualified him from being cast in the film.
Then, the audition happened. The 19-year-old actor surprised Lee and Zombadings writer-director Jade Castro with his then undiscovered knack for physical comedy and timing, prompting them to wonder why the actor hasn’t done more funny roles before. “We rediscovered him,” Lee said. For Escudero, it was just a matter of determination. “Na-inlove ako sa script eh, nagustuhan ko yung pelikula..” Escudero said. “Sabi ko gagawan ko ng paraan para ako yung makuha.”
Even before the award-deserving gay flick Zombadings 1: Patayin Sa Shokot si Remington hit the cinemas in its commercial run last week, you probably already noticed actor Martin Escudero. With stints in the reality artista search StarStruck, his role in TV 5’s Babaeng Hampaslupa; and appearances in films like My Monster Mom, Mag-ingat Ka Sa...Kulam, and Shake Rattle and Roll 12, you could say it was slowly but surely the start of bigger things to come.
Then, ta-dah! Before you could shriek "Awaaaaard!" Escudero landed the role many actors ahead of him in the game could only dream of: the landmark role of Remington, homophobic youngster-turned-bakla against his macho, manly will. After its hit premiere at last month's Cinemalaya, the campy comedy, written by Raymond Lee, Michiko Yamamoto, and Jade Castro (also the director), propelled the fresh-faced, "best friend"-playing supporting actor to lead role status. Critics have named him an actor to watch for, commending his perfectly delivered punch lines and impeccable portrayal of Remington.
In Zombadings, the young Remington, who has a penchant for teasing homosexuals, is cursed by a mysterious cross-dressing gay man—he is to grow up to become a bakla himself. Fast forward 15 years and the curse takes effect. As Remington undergoes a transformation, his town is terrorized by a serial killer victimizing gays. Remington could be next, so with the help of his family and friends, he seeks to put an end to the senseless killing spree.
Only three days after the movie’s opening on August 31, aptly called “National Zomba Day,” a dozen more screenings were added to cater to the overwhelming response from moviegoers, bringing up to 69 the total number of thaters where the movie is playing. Now, if this doesn’t make you want to dash to the nearest cinema right now to see for yourself what the hype about Escudero's acting and the movie is all about, we don’t know what will.
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Information Courtesy of SPOT
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