Los Angeles – This Sunday’s Academy Awards will mark an historical moment in the Pilipino/Pilipino-American film community. A talented collection of Pilipino-American producers, a Pil-Am cinematographer, and a part Pilipino-American actress have all been nominated for an Oscar.
This is the largest number of Pil-Am nominees in Oscar history. New York based Gigi Dement, former GMA co-host for Philippine Show Eat Bulaga Stefanie Walmsley, and local filmmaker Stephan Dypiangco are producers of God of Love, a Best Live-Action Short film nominee. Pil-Am cinematographer, Matthew Libatique, is nominated for his work in Black Swan. Also, Hailee Steinfeld is nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in True Grit.
At theSearch to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) youth and community center in Historic Filipinotown, four of the five nominees gathered for a press conference. Steinfeld unfortunately was unable to attend as she had come down with the flu after having flown back from Japan just the night before.
God of Love is an 18-minute short film by New York filmmaker Luke Methany that was produced by Dement, Walmsley, and Dypiangco. The film is about a love-struck lounge singer who comes upon a box of love-inducing darts as an answer to his prayers. When the Oscar nomination announcement took place on January 25th, all 3 producers found themselves waiting agonizingly as they frantically refreshed the Academy Awards website for updates. As it turned out, it was through Facebook and congratulatory wall posts to Methany where their hopes were eventually confirmed. After disappointments from the Tribeca, Sundance, and Slamdance Film Festivals, God of Love made it to the regionals for the Student Academy Awards, which eventually won Gold out of 76 qualifying films.
Working together as a team resonated loudly with the 3 producers. “My goal is to go back to the Philippines to help shine light on independent films like Brillante Mendoza has done. I want to help find funding for these projects,” says Walmsley. Dement mentions fellow director/cinematographer, Clarissa De Los Reyes. “She told stories I connected with but not necessarily had the same experience. She was a voice I’ve always had. And now I can produce these stories. This is how I keep connected.”
When given advice after college, Dypiangco was told, “If you want to direct, you have to write. It is important, but no filmmaker can make a movie by himself.”
Black Swan is a psychological thriller, starring Natalie Portman. She plays a ballerina who spirals into madness as she plays the lead role in Swan Lake. The film was directed by Darren Aronofsky.
This is Libatique’s first Oscar nomination, but his other notable films include blockbusters such as Iron Man, Iron Man 2, and Requiem for a Dream. “My wife called and screamed ‘You made it!’ on the phone ,” he said. “I was excited, but more relieved. It’s unlike anything in my career. 17 years. I never believed I’d get a shot at it. I really was relieved more than anything. What a weight off my shoulders.” Libatique talked about the 1989 Spike Lee directed movie, Do the Right Thing as being an inspiration. He says, “I didn’t think it was possible. It was my first time to see a person of color in filmmaking. It hit me that it was possible.”
When surrounded by fellow Pilipinos, Libatique added, “The conversation seems to revolve around food. And then if you can speak Tagalog. There is an immediate camaraderie and kinship. The more you meet each other, a network will form.”
Last night, Libatique won his second Independent Spirit award, also for best cinematography for Black Swan. Libatique has also won best cinematography awards at the LA Film Critics Association, NY Film Critics Online, SF Film Critics, among many others.
When asked about how they are preparing for the Oscar awards, Libatique humorously responded, “It’s like bringing a condom when you go out. How do you know?!?” Laughter and exciting conversations about fashion, gowns, and jewelry lighten the mood of the room. As they prepare for the Oscars, they all agreed that they would enjoy the ride.
