As part of the FAMAS Short Film Festival official entry As The Moth Flies, Epy Quizon takes on a dual role as actor and producer in director and writer Gayle Oblea’s short film, which already won Best Short Film at Sinag Maynila last year.
In the film, Epy plays the role of psychiatrist Dr. Oliver Sanchez, who tries to evaluate his mentally ill patient Jett (played by Boo Gabunada) through the eyes of his longtime partner Tonette (played by Mina Cruz).
During the short film’s presscon held last April 29, Epy clarified the rumor that he did the project for free after the original lead actor for the film pulled out unexpectedly.
“Hindi naman sa hindi ako tumanggap ng budget. At that time kasi, si direk Gayle (Oblea) parang baby ng grupo namin ito eh. And nung time na yun kasi parang iniwan sila ng artista nila at nag-reshoot sila so me, as a director and producer, I knew na masakit sa producer and sa director na mag-reshoot. Alam naman natin yan sa industriya na pag nag-reshoot nagtapon ng pera yung producer and director,” he clarified.
READ: Epy Quizon recalls quitting showbiz at 19 over director’s ‘brutally honest’ comment
Epy went on to explain that he just did not want to pressure the production with his fees when he knew their budget constraints.
“Hindi naman sa hindi ako tumanggap, ang sinabi ko lang, ‘Saka mo na ako intindihin. Shoot muna natin ito. Huwag niyo na muna ako intindihin. ’Pero nagbigay pa rin yan. Inabutan pa rin ako nila ng producer. Pero hindi ko sila siningil. Ang sinabi ko, ‘Huwag niyo na ako intindihin. Tapusin muna natin ito. Alam kong masakit na sa bulsa niyo.’ Yun naman yung nangyari dun. Kumbaga, hindi naman din, baka kasi maging precedent na parang, ‘Ah, si Epy gumagawa ng libreng trabaho yan.’ Hindi naman (laughs) Of course, I think they compensated me right. Pero hindi ko na sila siningil. Kasi nga alam kong nabutas yung bulsa nila nung iniwan sila nung artist nila eh,” he added.
READ: FAMAS announces 1st short film festival
When not acting onscreen, Epy admitted he was well aware of the challenges of mounting a production, being a director and producer himself.
"Tandaan niyo ang Cinemalaya magkano lang yung grant. So para umarte ka sa Cinemalaya magkano lang ang ibabayad sa'yo. Ano lang kaya ng mga filmmakers nun. Meron akong mga pelikula na tumanggap ako ₱1,000 a day. Ang shooting namin sa Tarlac. Sa toll pa lang ubos na yun eh di ba?
"Filmmaking of course is my bread and butter. Mahirap din sabihin na gumagawa ako ng pelikulang hindi ako tumatanggap ng pera. Pero may mga pelikulang ginagawa mo for the love, for the art, dahil alam mong hindi rin kaya ng filmmaker. Tulong yun sa mga filmmakers na aspiring, especially like for ang short film. Sa short film naman kasi, how does a producer get their money back? They don’t know. Hindi siya full-feature na puwede mo ipalabas sa sine, hindi siya bibilhin ng Netflix. Short format eh. So wala siyang money back,” he admitted.
Considering As The Moth Flies as an advocacy film for mental health, Epy hopes more people can watch the film to help spread more awareness and understanding about the issue.
“As a filmmaker myself, advocacy yung tinatawag diyan. This is an advocacy film. Mahirap maningil sa advocacy film. mahirap presyuhan yung ginagawa mo for advocacy. So there are films na ginagawa mo dahil sa tulong. Ngayon, kung may budget naman yung pelikula, magbayad naman kayo ng tama para matulungan din kaming mga filmmakers,” he said.
As the Moth Flies is an official entry to the 1st Famas Short Film Festival which will hold a one-time private screening on May 3 at the Victoria Sports Cinema in Quezon City. Produced by Happy Manila, Desi Matters, and Rav Singh, the film also stars Mina Cruz and Boo Gabunada.