Before Coco came Joel
Before Coco Martin became the "Prince of Indie Films" that he is today, Joel Torre was already acting in such films — gratis et amore.
"Hindi pa uso ang indie films, kami ni Ronnie (Lazaro), suki na nyan," Joel says with rightful pride.
Indie film producers asked Joel to work for free, for the love of the craft, and he said yes. Joel didn't mind getting nothing for his work, as long as it fulfills the artist in him.
Money was — and is — no object for a dedicated actor like him.
Reached the next level
That's how Joel paid his dues in an industry that has repaid him — a thousandfold. And that's why Joel feels he has reached the next level in his craft. He's now ready to write and direct an indie film.
"That's my dream," he reveals. "Iba na ang outlook ko. Now that I'm 50, I'm really happy with my age. I feel so settled."
Thanks to the financial stability his JT Inasal chain of restaurants brings, Joel can choose to make only those films he wants to do. He can reject the inane and focus on the ones that matter.
One of those that matter is the historical drama film "Amigo," directed by John Sayles, critically acclaimed for his contribution to American independent cinema.
Joel plays Rafael Dacanay, a town mayor torn between his duty to his townmates and his family.
No place for friendship
The setting is the Philippine-American war , where, contrary to what the film's title — "Amigo" -- says, friendship has no place.
Origin8 Media Corp., the producer, received positive feedback when it presented the film before various school officials. The producers even plan to take the film to school campuses, so young people will know more about this part of Philippine history.
But before that, "Amigo" will premiere Tuesday, June 28 at Ayala Trinoma and open in theaters on July 6. The US premiere is set in August.
Joel knows that in doing "Amigo," he's playing another historical character in the mold of his Jose Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo and Crisistomo Ibarra roles years back.
That's fine for an artist like him. But is it fine for an audience that gets tired of seeing actors in familiar roles over and over again?
Joel doesn't think so.
Unafraid of being typecast
"No, I'm not afraid of being typecast," he says. "I may have played a host of historical characters. But my portrayals vary per role."
Besides, for an actor like Joel, each role — however familiar — is unique. It carries its own nuances; its own character. Like the jeweler who discovers something new about a gem as he studies all its angles, Joel can attack a role in different ways twice, thrice, or as often as the need arises.
That's what keeps Joel Torre going as an artist. And that's what will keep him going, as he continues to grow, not just as an actor, but as a filmmaker who loves the industry to bits.
