In three-minute black and white shorts, filmmaker Lav Diaz attempted to capture the narrative and emotions outpouring from writer Ricky Lee’s third novel Bahay Ni Marta.
The trailers, which are posted on Facebook, feature actor and actresses Joem Bascon, Charo Santos, and Agot Isidro dramatically reading and acting select parts of the novel.
“Unang basa ko pa lang, alam ko nang obra maestra ang Bahay ni Marta,” says Lav Diaz on the book.
The book, which will be launched on Mar. 10 at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila, follows the first-person storytelling of Bahay (Santos), the house where Marta (Isidro) and Tomas (Bascon) used to live in. Bahay reveals to its unexpected visitor the tales inside the house including its own yearning and craving for Marta.
“Karamihan diyan, patuloy ng bahay, sasabihin, bahay lang ‘yan, wala naman ‘yang damdamin. Pero nasasaktan din kami. Kapag di kami inaasikaso, kapag di kami minamahal, sadya naming sinisira ang mga sarili namin, nabubulok kami, inaagiw, inaanay. Pero kapag inaalagaan, minamahal, kapag tama ang paglalampaso sa amin, kumikinang kami at nalilibugan,” says Bahay.
Now, is this series of teasers going to be a full-length film soon? Of course, we hope so. But for now, pre-order the book on the website and watch the videos here.
Featured image courtesy of Bahay ni Marta on Facebook
Read more:
Lav Diaz on why he makes long films set in the past
These best-selling books are turning into movies this year
Watch indie films past midnight at this new Maginhawa cinema