While it might be the triumvirate of John Sweet Lapus, Alex Medina and Kean Cipriano you’ll be seeing on screen, the true star of the movie “Echorsis” has to be its producer “Chris Cahilig.
Cahilig bravely takes a gamble at a time when making independent movies is just as dangerous as falling in love with the sweet talking Carlo (played by Medina)–If ticket sales are poor the movie is in danger of being pulled out of cinemas after the first day, but if it does become a hit expect it to be on pirated DVDs in Quiapo faster than you can say “Baygern Ganern.”
But instead of spending money on TV ads, Cahilig put his trust on the power of social media, focusing the promotion heavily on Facebook, tweets from the celebrity friends of cast members and the blogging community to create a buzz for the movie.
The results have been very promising to say the least.
The trailer has been viewed more than 5Million views on Facebook and “Echorsis” has been gathering a lot of positive reviews leading to its opening day. Comments have also been mostly positive with a lot of people expressing interest in watching the movie.
“HINDI SIKAT ANG ARTISTA!” –Heneral Luna
“WALANG BUDGET!” — That Thing Called Tadhana
“MALIIT ANG GAY MARKET!” — ZombadingsIlang beses na nating napatunayan na mali ang mga sinehan. Na kapag maganda ang pelikulang Pinoy, kaya nitong lumaban sa mga naglalakihang Hollywood movies.
Sa April 13, dalawang araw mula ngayon, nararamdaman kong muling patutunayan ng mga Filipinong manonood na sila ay MATALINO at TUMATANGKILIK sa mga lokal na produksyon.
Baguhin natin ang pananaw ng industrya, lalo na ng mga sinehan, na di kayang kumita ang isang pelikula kung di superstars ang mga artista at walang budget sa marketing. At higit sa lahat, sa aking mga kaibigang LGBT, ipakita natin ang LAKAS ng “pink market,” na hindi ito isang pantasya lamang.
Sana ngayon pa lang ay HANAPIN na natin sa mga sinehan ang “Echorsis” nang malaman nilang may demand sa pelikula, at panoorin ito sa April 13, sa opening day.
Huwag nating hayaang mabaliwala at malimutan ang isang pelikulang MAGANDA, MATALINO, at MAKABULUHAN!
—Chris Cahilig, Producer
The story revolves around the life of closeted gay Kristoff (John Lapus), who is duped by the sweet-tongued and charismatic Carlo (Alex Medina) a gigolo who fools gays to into giving him money–to save up for his upcoming wedding. Although I doubt that gays can still be easily fooled into a “bad romance” the film portrays the plight of the LGBT community in the country.
Karma is a bitch and in the case of Echorsis it comes in the form of Kristoff’s restless spirit who possesses Carlo to make sure the wedding doesn’t take place. This is when Fr. Nick (Kean Cipriano), a priest specializing in exorcism, joins the story. But as it turns out, Fr. Nick is haunted by his own secrets.
Cahilig says the premise of the movie has been written as early as 2011 by Palanca award winner Jerry Gracio. As the story goes, Gracio’s script was repeatedly turned down by producers, until he met Cahilig, who always wanted to produce a movie. He then convinced independent filmmaker Lemuel Llorca to direct. Llorca had just won Best Film at CineFilipino Festival 2016 for Ned’s Project, another gay-themed flick.
He describes “Echorsis” as an intelligent and out-of-the-box brand of comedy, and he is on point.
Echorsis is the only other gay-themed movie I didn’t walk out on (the other one was Zombadings and No I am not homophobic) because the laughs kept me in my seat.
Echorsis is a laugh trip, regardless of your sexuality, and when the gags take a break, you are left awestruck by the cinematography and the quality of how the movie was shot. Unlike other horror comedies, Echorsis does not look cheap, and the effects rival those big budget MMFF movies and is truly impressive.
Echorsis succeeds when it doesn’t take itself seriously and there are lots of funny lingo you’d probably pickup like “Baygern Ganern,” “DalaBeki” and many others. It does, however, stumble when the focus shifts from John Lapus and Medina to Kean Cipriano and his sacred vows. Don’t get me wrong, Kean does a wonderful job, but the shift can make you feel that you are watching an entirely different movie.
“Sana sumugod sa sinehan ang milyon-milyong nag-aabang sa ‘Echorsis’ sa opening day pa lang para manatili ito sa line up ng mga pelikula,” Medina told media during the premier night.
“Naranasan namin sa ‘Heneral Luna’ na matanggal dahil mahina ang benta ng ticket nung first day,” he relates. “Mabuti na lang naging matagumpay ang campaign sa social media na madagdagan ang mga sinehan.”
Lapus is optimistic that Filipino audiences—particularly the lesbian, gays, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community—will rally behind “Echorsis.” However, he encourages them to come out and watch the film on its first day, to ensure its long run in the cinemas.
“Nababasa namin sa comments sa official trailer ng Echorsis na maraming naghihintay na ipalabas ito. Sana lang maglabasan sila sa April 13 kasama ng kanilang mga friends para manood bago pa maging huli ang lahat,” he stresses.
“The Filipino moviegoers are ready for a black comedy like ‘Echorsis.’ The box-office records of well-made films such as ‘That Thing Called Tadhana,’ ‘English Only,’ and ‘Heneral Luna’ gave us the courage to push through with the project despite its unconventional plot,” explains the producer.
“I am confident that apart from enjoying the patronage of the LGBT community, ‘Echorsis’ will likewise lure the straight population to the cinemas because of its organic humor and its message of love, forgiveness, and acceptance,” says Cahilig.
“Echorsis” takes pride in bringing together a powerful and award-winning production team led by Lorca, who recently won the best picture trophy in CineFilipino for his film “Ned’s Project.” He is joined by cinematographer Sasha Palomares, editor Benjamin Tolentino, production designer Paul Infante, assistant director Lorna Sanchez, line producer Sarah Pagkalinawan-Brakensiek, and production manager Rowena Concepcion. International composer and arranger Jonathan Ong and his Sonic State Studio team did the music and scoring.
Completing the ensemble cast of “Echorsis” are Alessandra de Rossi, Chokoleit, Kiray Celis, Mich Liggayu, Ruby Ruiz, Negi Negra, Bekimon, Nico Antonio, Francine Garcia, Odette Khan, and 1:43’s Yuki Sakamoto, Anjo Resurreccion, Gold Aquino, and Yheen Valero. 
“Echorsis” is supported by BellaVita Land Corp. and McJim Classic Leather.
