Director Louie Ignacio Wins Best Director Abroad, Now Wishes To Also Win Honors From Local Award-Giving Bodies

DIRECTOR LOUIE IGNACIO won the best director award at the recent ASEAN International Filmfest at Sarawak, Malaysia for the film "Area", about low class prostitutes working in a seedy red light district in Pampanga. "We shot it in the actual community of prostitutes in Angeles," says Louie. "Maaawa ka talaga sa kalagayan nila. Napakagaling naman talaga ni Ai Ai as the aging prostitute na ipon ng ipon ng pera, tapos, nanakaw lang."

Did he expect to win? "Yung best director ang huling tinawag and by that time, happy na kami ng Philippine delegation kasi nga nanalo na sina Ai Ai and Ana, then also Ricky Davao as best supporting actor. So, ang dami ng wins ng Team Pilipinas and masaya na ako for them. Nang best director na, hawak ko yung rosary ko. Lahat ng nominees, nasa backstage kami, at nang tawagin ang name ko, hiyawan lahat ng Pinoy delegates, ang lakas! Ang unity ng Pinoy, walang inggitan, they all cheer for you."

He has won best director awards for his films in festivals abroad, but he has yet to win one locally. "Oo nga. Kasi siempre, iba-iba ang taste ng award-giving bodies. Pero sana naman, ma-appreciate din nila ang trabaho ko at manalo rin ako rito para malaman ng mga kababayan nating hindi lang ako TV director but I also make good films."


He has new projects for Ai Ai for next year. "Dalawa yung stories we're offering to her. Isa, nanay siya ng mga batang hamog na nambabato ng mga sasakyan sa highway. Dun sa isa, old female diver naman ang role niya na maraming underwater scenes. Pinagpipilian pa kung alin ang gagawin niya."
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