Director Joey Reyes and 'Mga Mumunting Lihim' (Those Little Secrets) an Entry to the Cinemalaya 2012

On one fair weathered Saturday afternoon in Dulcinea, Tomas Morato, Quezon City, together with fellow online medias, we met with Direk Jose Javier Reyes aka Joey Reyes for his first independent film that he written and directed. "Mga Mumunting Lihim" (Those Little Secrets). Though the name sounded oh so familiar to my ear, I still can't pinpoint in my life where exactly i have heard the name but I do know that the name is so recognizable that the name stuck with me. it was like Direk Joey Reyes = great director & great movies. So when I got the invite, I did not hesitate to be part of the group and I was ready to be surprised.

Honestly I did not research anything about him nor the movie "Mga Mumunting Lihim" (Those Little Secrets) before the interview. Not because I was lazy but I chose to get to know the director by simply talking to him and ask him questions and not read about him. After googling his name lots or results came up. As imdb states, Direk Joey Reyes have more than 150 written works and have directed more than 60 movies. This is not a small feat really. I say that this is more than one could have in a lifetime and I think that this wasn't also given to him on a silver platter.

poster for the Cinemalaya 2012

Direk Joey Reyes sat down with us and made the place more comfortable for everyone to ask questions. It felt like I could ask the director anything. Direk Joey Reyes did say that we can ask anything... then said except for the gender preference of celebrities and broke a smile. Then the room was filled with laughter and that was definitely the ice breaker and engaged us to ask about him the movie, the movie industry and anything. but before that, Direk Joey briefly shared on how the movie came about and what the movie is about.

He shared that in a writing career that spans 30 years, this is the very first time that Direk joey Reyes ventured into making a film outside the studio system. Not backed by any major network nor movie company.This time the movie comes in as an independent one. In time for the upcoming Cinemalaya, he have this perfect material. Mga Mumunting Lihim" (Those Little Secrets) Not bounded by some major producer's opinions did not use the tried and tested formula / genre flick that would work as a blockbuster, but in this movie Direk Joey Reyes has the free hand on writing and directing this one and you can just imagine how this would turn out. He considered this on his most personal. Why indie? because he knows and concedes that no mainstream studio will agree to produce a project that defies conventional storytelling and, more so, places popular mainstream actress against their usual typecast

Direk Joey believes that making independent films is the new direction and true future of Philippines Cinema. He also believes that the Filipino viewers are ready for something different. I would have to agree on this one. I think that instead of advancing, we chose not to move forward and chose to stick to these "formulas" these major TV and cinema group feeds the mass. In effect, we are not educating them and not helping in improving the performance of our local movies. Direk Joey said that something with more content and depth in a story is something that would make a movie good. It is not just all about Rom-Coms with good looking actors and actresses having single plot or tweaking it a bit and you have a movie, Another is having an 80's song as the movie title. (Honestly, that one is true and it is getting old). He kinda said that he is starting to get sick on it. (He puked in his mouth while telling that to us. Seriously kidding here) I do agree with Direk on that one. I am blabbing too much now... going back.

The movie "Mga Mumunting Lihim" (Those Little Secrets) is about four female friends in their thirties-- It shows the volatile nature of friendship and how the years of camaraderie do not and cannot guarantee a total knowledge of one another. It is those little secrets and heartaches accumulated through time that can make friendship stronger-or destroy everything that the years have put together.

Poster for the actual theater screening after Cinemalaya

The movie stars Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro, Janice de Belen and his close friend Judy Ann Santos. Direk joey shared that they did not only share their precious time and talent but they also agreed because they love and believe in the project. Another is that the women also had the chance to portray roles they could not have otherwise obtained in commercial movies. This is Direk Joeys' first indie movie, and by casting the best and finest of mainstream stars, he hopes to share the opportunity to do the kind of work that commercial film making does not have the liberty to accommodate.

Direk Joey Reyes' wish? is for everyone to watch not just Mga Mumunting Lihim" (Those Little Secrets) but to also catch other remarkable entries from the Director's Showcase of CINEMALAYA 2012. He guarantees that you will surely enjoy this and be able to relate to the story. The gala premiere of the movie is on July 25,2012 at 9PM at the CCP Main Theater.