When my friend told me he knew the director of #Y, the Cinemalaya film I watched and found controversial, he offered to introduce me to the director, Gino Santos so I can interview him for my blog. Of course I said yes but I didn’t really expect actually meeting him. When my friend told me that Gino agreed, I was pleasantly surprised but still remained skeptical that we could actually set a schedule to meet. I texted Gino, not really expecting a reply but was yet again pleasantly surprised when he replied and warmly at that. When Gino and I finally met, I was beyond ecstatic for how many times do you actually meet a director – and a cute one at that?
And so, on a workday, I took a leave of absence and travelled to the posh South aka Alabang to meet Gino Santos, the young director of two controversial, Gen Y films – The Animals and #Y.
My first impression when I saw him, all alone sitting in Bizu was – “omg! He’s cute!” And yet, I can’t shake the disturbed feeling I had ever since I saw his film which claimed to portray the issues of today’s youth. Being part of the generation he portrays in his films, I was at a loss whether I do agree with him on his views or not. At one point, I viewed him as this conyo and privileged kid who knew nothing better than the issues surrounding his kind – and not really the greater whole of today’s Gen Y.
And yet, as blinded and naïve as I was with the film (as what my personal catharsis series revealed), I was just as naïve with my initial impression of Gino. During our conversation, I saw him as being more in touch with the reality of Gen Y than I ever will be. I saw him having this profound understanding of the deep issues surrounding today’s youth.
