Markova: Comfort Gay

Markova: Comfort Gay is a 2000 Filipino biographical coming-of-age drama film based loosely on the life of Walter Dempster Jr., the last surviving Filipino "comfort gay" (male sex slaves for Imperial Japanese Army) from World War II. Written by Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr. and directed by Gil M. Portes,[1] the film tells the story of his hardships during his childhood and his travail during the World War II Japanese occupation of the Philippines. The character was played by actor Dolphy, who played the adult Markova while two of his sons, Eric Quizon and Jeffrey Quizon, played the role of two younger Markovas in two more different phases of his life.[2]

Markova: Comfort Gay
The original film poster, released in 2000.
Directed byGil M. Portes
Screenplay byClodualdo del Mundo Jr.
Produced by
  • Rodolfo V. Quizon
  • Dolor Guevarra
  • Rene Pascual
Starring
CinematographyJohnny Araojo
Edited byGeorge Jarlego
Music byJoy Marfil
Production
company
RVQ Productions
Distributed byVagrant Films
Release date
  • December 25, 2000 (2000-12-25)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryPhilippines
Languages
  • Filipino
  • English
  • Japanese
Box office₱190,000,000.00

The film was released theatrically on December 25, 2000, as one of the official entries for the 2000 Metro Manila Film Festival, winning Best Supporting Actor in the film festival and Gawad Urian Awards 2001 for Jeffrey Quizon. Aside from local acclaim, it also received international acclaim with the recognition of Prix de la Meilleure Interpretation to the father-and-sons Dolphy, Eric Quizon, and Jeffrey "Epy" Quizon at the 2001 Brussels International Film Festival.[3]

Synopsis

After watching a documentary about the suffering of "comfort women" forced into sexual slavery during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, Markova decides to tell his own painful story to reporter Loren Legarda. Escaping the torment of growing up with an abusive older brother, he and his gay friends found further suffering at the hands of Japanese soldiers, forced as sex slaves to survive. But even after the war, Markova's struggle continued.

Cast

Minor roles
  • Greg Guerra as older Anita
  • Chaning Carlos as older Carmen
  • Andrew E. as Chiquito/"Tintoy"
  • Jennifer Urbano as Francesca "Frances" Dempster is Eldest sister's Walter Dempster Jr.
  • Ana Rosales as Arabella Dempster is youngest sister's Walter Dempster Jr.
  • Chandro Concepcion as Roco
  • Theresa Beron as Guia
  • Daisy Reyes as Rosa
  • Bembol Roco as Puging
  • Bearwin Meily as Tuging
  • Karla Estrada as Markova's talent for Japan

Digital restoration

The film was digitally restored and remastered in 4K high definition by the ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project through the facilities of Central Digital Lab. Since the 35mm master negative print was well-preserved at the ABS-CBN Film Archives, the restoration team of Central Digital Lab took 260 hours to fix the images from instability and eliminating film grain, flicker, and optical dirt. The restoration of the film was completed in 2019, a year before the shutdown of ABS-CBN and its controversial franchise denial in 2020.[4] The 4K restored version of the film was premiered digitally on November 20, 2020, as part of the digital exhibition for the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2020.[5]

Awards and recognitions

Official selections
  • 2002 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • 2002 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • 2001 Brussels International Film Festival

2001 Brussels International Film Festival
  • Won Prix de la Meilleure Interpretation, Dolphy, Eric Quizon, and Jeffrey Quizon

2001 FAMAS Awards
  • Won Best Supporting Actor, Jeffrey Quizon
  • Won Best Production Design, Kay Abano
  • Nominated Best Actor, Dolphy
  • Nominated Best sound, Albert Michael Idioma and Rudy Gonzales

2001 Gawad Urian Awards
  • Won Best Supporting actor, Jeffrey Quizon
  • Nominated Best Actor, Dolphy
  • Nominated Best Music, Joy Marfil
  • Nominated Best Production Design, Kay Abano

2001 Young Critics Circle
  • Nominated Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design, Johnny Araojo and Kay Abano
  • Nominated Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role, Dolphy

2000 Metro Manila Film Festival

References
  1. "Director Gil Portes dies at 71". Rappler. May 25, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  2. Torre, Nestor U. (December 27, 2000). "VIEWFINDER: Chip off the old Dolphy". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Holdings Incorporated. p. 22. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  3. Sorilla IV, Franz (June 11, 2020). "Historical Period Films and Series to Watch This Independence Day 2020 Long Weekend". Tatler Philippines. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  4. Lago, Amanda T. (July 23, 2020). "After ABS-CBN shutdown, 'Sagip Pelikula' faces uncertain future". Rappler. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  5. Madarang, Catalina Ricci S. (November 6, 2020). "Digitally restored 'Markova: Comfort Gay' to stream during Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino". Interaksyon. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  6. "Metro Manila Film Festival:2000". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
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