Daybreak (2008 film)

Daybreak
Directed by	Adolfo B. Alix, Jr.
Produced by	Noel Ferrer (executive producer)
Written by	Charliebebs Gohetia
Starring	Coco Martin Paolo Rivero
Cinematography	Albert Banzon
Editing by	Charliebebs Gohetia
Distributed by	Bicycle Pictures
Release date(s)	February 20, 2008
Running time	1 hr. 15 min.
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino, Tagalog, English
Budget	not yet available
Box office	not yet available

Daybreak (Filipino: Bukang-liwayway, English: dawn, twilight) is a 2008 Philippine gay indie film written by Charliebebs Gohetia and directed by the Manila-based Filipino director Adolfo Borinaga Alix, Jr. who also directed other indie films such as Donsol, Kadin and Batanes. The movie features only two characters namely, Paolo Rivero (as William) and Coco Martin (as JP) who are both Filipino actors. The film is completely homosexual in terms of theme but was rated R-18 uncut, regardless of its nudity features by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) in the Philippines as most of the members of the board were impressed by the cinematography and intelligence of the film. Daybreak had its exclusive screenings on February 13 and 14, 2008 at the University of the Philippines Cine Adarna (formerly UP Film Institute). The movie was officially released and aired in major Philippine cinemas from February 20 to March 11, 2008. Daybreak is produced by Bicycle Productions.

Introduction

The whole Daybreak movie occurred entirely in one place; a big white vacation house in Taal, Batangas and only with two male characters. In a single narrative time, intending by way of voyeurism, the film allows viewers to discover what happens when two men spend one night contemplating whether to break up or continue their relationship. The characters of William and JP unveil their biggest lies and the biggest truths about two people (specifically two male people) loving each other, clinging to each other and eventually betraying each other — trying the fragility of their feelings in only one night. Memories and dreams, truths and lies, fears and desires, betrayal and honesty, love and hate are all closely entwined in this night. Behind the veil of words, they are drawn to each other but as the nocturnal daybreak comes, the light of the sunrise will bring their intimacy to an end.

According to the Philippine Entertainment Portal, Daybreak is not a typical gay-love story because of the complicated situation conveyed by the movie and the extremely difficult roles played by Coco Martin and Paolo Rivero. The movie also features extraordinary wit and —intelligent meaning to homosexuality and failed relationships supported by a beautiful screenplay by Gohetia and script by Alix and Ferrer.

Synopsis

A married man is having an affair with another man. After some time apart, the two men spend a night together in a family vacation home in Taal, Batangas. Together in such close quarters, the two are left with nothing to do but to confront the realities of their relationship.

The movie opens with William (Paolo Rivero), a doctor driving up to Tagaytay City to meet his secret lover JP (Coco Martin), a handsome young fellow with beautiful tanned skin in his mid-twenties. While driving, William was engaged in a cell phone conversation with his wife who was asking when he will return home. William made up an alibi saying that he has an unexpected appointment in Tagaytay and will probably be back in Manila the next day. On the other hand, JP was waiting in a public viewing park of the Taal Volcano to join William in his Tagaytay escapade. JP is a local boatman and tour guide in Taal, Batangas and William’s secret lover for a year now. Although, it was not specifically reiterated in the movie, listening to their dialogue, one will learn that the two men obviously met during one of William and his wife’s visit to Taal Volcano. If William has a wife, JP on the other hand, has a girlfriend. The two did not see each other for two months partly because William is very busy being a Makati physician and partly because he is a family man. While JP had spent two months secretly waiting for William while keeping himself busy with his boating job and his girlfriend. Deep inside, the two lovers missed each other so much. When they reached the rest house, William cooked pasta and they ate and drunk wine together. It was, however the last night that the two lovers will share their love with each other as William is scheduled to leave for Australia. William wants to call it quits but doesn't know how to break the bad news to JP who is already emotionally attached to him albeit they really didn't have an agreement that they are indeed a couple.

The tension starts when William tells JP that he's leaving the country. Several scenes and dialogue lead up to the climax as JP was reluctant to accept the fact that it was the end of their relationship. The two men spent the night talking about their past including happy and unforgettable memories while browsing their pictures. The night has been a beautiful night. Their intimacy renewed and they made love as pleasurable as ever. But as the daybreak comes, William remained firm to his decision, leaving for Australia and ending his relationship with JP. The movie ends as William is driving back to Manila again and JP, alone in the nocturnal Tagaytay rest house and numbed to the truth that their relationship is doomed in just one night.

Reviews and Praises for Daybreak

Daybreak received high praises from members of the MTRCB Jackie Aquino, writer Marra Pl. Lanot and film professor Fr. Nick Cruz particularly the acting skills of Coco Martin and Paolo Rivero. One of the most interesting features of the movie is its use of a beautiful setting such as Taal and the white rest house where there is a panoramic view of the Taal Volcano. Daybreak's cinematography is by far the best characteristic of the movie. The direction by Adolfo Alix, Jr. exhibits world-class skill and exemplary talent that caught the attemtion of the members of MTRCB that made them give it a positive R-18 rating instead of a negative X.

"Daybreak is interesting in that the homosexuality isn’t really central to the plot. This film is really just a story about the end of an affair, and the characters needn’t have been gay for the story to work. It’s a surprisingly mature approach to writing relationships that’s rarely seen in films today. The characters just happen to be gay, and the film eschews the regular approach of pontificating about being confused or conflicted, choosing instead to just concentrate on showing two people in love."

"The filmmaking is pretty fantastic, however. I’ve sung praises of director Adolfo Alix Jr. before, and he doesn’t disappoint. He’s developing a clear directorial style, and it’s turning out to be captivating. The cinematography is pretty amazing, easily transcending the limitations of digital filmmaking. Alix Jr. also gets a lot out of his actors, and it’s this cast that really makes the film. There are only two actors in this film, and in lesser hands, this could’ve been a disaster. Coco Martin is a proven property, and his skill in building full characters is used to its fullest extent. Paolo Rivero brings a whole lot of pathos to a pretty complex character. The two show a lot of restraint, and it’s what keeps the film at a proper tone. Together, the two are magnetic."

Excerpt from: Fleeting Emotions by Philbert Ortiz Dy posted on Friday February 22, 2008 at clickthecity.com

Daybreak: Respectable Gay Flick

"Seldom do I see a Filipino indie gay film that carries a solid storyline, bears fantastic acting and shows stunning cinematography. DAYBREAK by Adolfo Alix Jr. proved that "gay-topic'ed" films can go beyond sex and can go deeper. Known for his picturesque approach to films (watch Donsol, Kadin and Batanes), Adolfo's awesome camera treatment was in DAYBREAK. A Cinemalaya regular, Adolfo was able to create another film which defies formula. The screenplay is simple, but very powerful. It is not pretentious. Very subtle, but it will hit you hard in the end. Coco Martin is an indie expert. Few actors can do such a role, bold yet respectable."

"Daybreak is definitely one of the best Filipino gay oriented film I've seen in years. Daybreak happens entirely in one place: a rest house in Taal, Batangas. In a single narrative time, we discover what happens to two men spending one night contemplating whether to break up or continue their relationship. William and JP allow us to know their biggest lies. Memories and dreams, truths and lies, fears and desires, betrayal and honesty, love and hate are all closely entwined in this night. Will the light of the sunrise bring this intimacy to an end?"

"Adolfo always treats the screen as his canvas, and he is not afraid putting colors over it. I once thought that this approach will not work commercially (after Donsol and Kadin in Cinemalaya). But after Batanes and Daybreak, I could fearlessly say that Adolfo Alix Jr. will be one of the biggest names in Philippines cinema."

From: CineManyak

Daybreak Production Crew

• Writer and Editor: Charliebebs Gohetia
• Director: Adolfo B. Alix Jr.
• Production Designers: Tonee Acejo and Jerome Zamora
• Cinematography: Albert Banzon
• Executive Producer: Noel Ferrer
• Line Producers: Arleen Cuevas and Maxie Evangelista
• Cast: Coco Martin, Paolo Rivero

References

• http://www.pep.ph/guide/1977/Acclaimed-indie-film-Daybreak-now-available-on-VCD
• http://www.pep.ph/guide/1545/Coco-Martin-and-Paolo-Rivero-act-out-passionate-love-in-Daybreak
• http://pinoyexchange.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-330278.html
• http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=120091
• http://manilagayguy.com/2008/01/30/gay-indie-films-galore/
• http://chuvachienes.com/2008/03/19/a-new-gay-themed-indie-film-hugot/
• http://youtube.com/watch?v=UPLe4Vany1Q
• http://miong21.blogspot.com/2008/02/daybreak-opens-today-on-robinsons.html
• http://telebisyon.net/balita/Major-film-producer-nagschedule-na-ng-Daybreak-premiere-sa-Amerika/artikulo/11395/
• http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/feb2008/ent_jg.htm
• http://guides.clickthecity.com/movies/movie.php?id=11404

External links

• Daybreak at the Internet Movie Database