Balatkayo is about Filipinos working in other countries with the stereotypical dreams of giving their families better lives.
In this one written by Jason Paul Laxamana who directed the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino hit 100 Tula Para Kay Stella and directed by Neil Tan, the flurry of sex video scandals involving the youth and at times media celebrities served as the jump off point for the film.
In the story James Robert who plays a teenager whose parents are working abroad gets tangled in a video sex scandal prompting his mother (Aiko Melendez) to come home to settle the problem, while his father (Polo Ravales) ignores it and carries on an affair with a fellow OFW (Nathalie Hart).
Robert agreed to be photographed nude frontally with his female co-actor, but I don’t think the MTRCB will allow it to be part of the film. So, what you will see in theaters tomorrow could be a sanitized version.
“Relatable ang mga eksena, ma-drama pero natural ang pagkakasulat ni Laxamana at makakatohanan ang “execution” ni direk Neal Tan, says the spokesman of the film company that produced Balatkayo.
He continued that the very hot scenes between Robert and co-star Kristine Barreto could pull in the crowd.
According to an insider, Robert was wearing a condom when he was acting in the sex scene with Barreto.
The sex scenes are not exclusive to Robert and Barreto. Polo Ravales and Nathalie Hart who plays two Filipinos overseas carrying on an illicit affair have their share of hot intimate scenes.
The movie was shot in Singapore, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
But, the audience will certainly watch out for Aiko Melendez whose performance as Gov. Emilia in Wild Flower has made a strong impact among Filipino movie fans.
“Please watch the film,” Melendez tells the members of the movie press. “You will like it.”
Balatkayo opens in theaters today from BG Productions International of Baby F. Go Regal Films Inc. is distributing the film in the Philippines.
There will be screenings, too, in Singapore, Hongkong, ABU Dhabi, Dubai, and Bahrain.