If film director Mark Shandii Bacolod had only a week to live, with the world also facing its demise, as a storyteller, he would want to share a personal story that he feels everyone can resonate with.
“I want to talk about my first love, the one that got away. This man became the figure why I had to come out. I lost him along the way, I don’t know where he is right now. I even forgot his last name. It’s a love story that I wanted to talk about,” Bacolod told Manila Standard Entertainment in an exclusive interview.
Bacolod has been vocal about treating every work he does as a passion project. He pours not just his physical efforts, but also his emotions and personal experiences into his work to give it a more authentic feel.
“I direct my film based on how I wrote it,” he said adding that “I only became a perfectionist because of the frustration to realize my vision as a director.”
As a testament to his passion for art and his willingness to share his “personal truth,” his latest digital series Love at the End of the World showcases a piece of him as a person who had loved, got hurt, and decided to believe that another love will come his way.
“It’s my love letter to the prude because the series wanted to talk about sex openly. Let’s admit it, everybody has raging lust, malilibog tayo. It’s just how we carry ourselves in public makes all the difference,” Bacolod said of the series.
“This series features stories of men who have become part of my life and the people close to me. Because of the pandemic, namiss ko sila, this series is dedicated to the people who are suffering from crisis right now, those who are experiencing self-doubt. I wanted to tell them, ‘we hear you.’ That’s the main message of the series,” he added.
Under Temporary Insanity Pictures & MSB Entertainment Production, Love at the End of the World explores the lives of four couples as they navigate through love, pain, forgiveness, and redemption.
After reports from NASA confirm that an asteroid is set to hit Earth in seven days resulting in global catastrophe, priorities quickly change and panic ensues. Although the stories of each couple are quite tragic, the audience gains closure by the last episode as love truly becomes the driving force in the lasting moments of Earth’s existence.
The starry cast ensemble includes Kristof Garcia (Bidaman Ampalaya Chronicles), Rex Lantano (Daddy Love, MMK), Nico Locco (Culion, Sabado), Mike Liwag (Culion, Unlocked), Elijah Filamor (Alpha: The Right to Kill), Yam Mercado (Culion), Khalid Ruiz and Markki Stroem (Slumber Party, Unlocked), with Gold Azeron (Metamorphosis, Unlocked), Arrian Labios (Kid Kulafu, Babae at Baril), and Irma Adlawan (Oro, Transit).
Filmed in different locations in the Philippines, the erotic suspense drama series elevates the boys’ love subgenre with its ambitious and film-like production filming from the beautiful beach in Mindoro to the mountaineer’s destination in Tanay.
Given the series’ theme and provocative scenes, Bacolod believes that receiving criticism is just normal and part of his profession as a filmmaker. In fact, he’s learned to brush off any negative comments about his films and screen projects.
“As a filmmaker, I believe that once we do an art form, it becomes public. In this industry, we are considered public figures and we should allow ourselves to be scrutinized or criticized. Before I’d easily get offended when someone criticize my work by just like what RuPaul said, “Unless they gonna pay your bills, pay them bitches no mind.”
But Bacolod clarified that Love at the End of the World is far from being perfect but he’s glad about the final product, and he’s more than proud to share it with the world.
“I am happy with this series. Is it perfect? No. It’s far from perfect but it’s my truth. People may not like it or believe but they are entitled to their own opinions.
For parting message, Bacolod wanted to convey that beyond the steamy scenes and salacious encounters between the characters in the series, Love at the End of the World has more to offer.
“My point is, even in the darkest moment there’s hope, there’s love. Today you may be suffering, experiencing something painful, but tomorrow is going to be different, there’s hope, and that we should look forward to that,” Bacolod said.
“Without pain, we are numb, there is always hope in pain, pain and sadness mean hope,” he concluded showing a quote by film director Ingmar Bergman tattooed on his right forearm.
Love at the End of the World streams on GagaOolala.