The films of John Torres have a highly personal style that results from a very unique, improvisational way of working. Here, he remains faithful to his improvisational approach with fragments of reality, but there is obviously more history, more drama and a certain level of convoluted strangeness.
Lukas the Strange has a light and disruptive tone. Those who know Torres' previous work will be surprised that special digital effects have now been given a role in his normally so documentary-like reality.
Lukas the Strange is a story of an awkward teenager coming to grips with his own initiation into manhood just when there is a movie shoot in his neighbourhood. The story opens several nights before, when Lukas is told that he has a tikbalang (half-horse, half man) for a father. His father, Mang Basilio, disappears from his life the next day. Soon enough, Lukas' body reddens, and he wonders if he really is half-beast. The village is in a frenzy when the film crew arrives. Everyone tries to have a part in it. The film is told by Lukas' friend, Lorena, who is fascinated by this strange boy who thinks he is a tikbalang.
- Director
- John Torres
- Premiere
- World premiere
- Country of production
- Philippines
- Year
- 2013
- Festival Edition
- IFFR 2013
- Length
- 85'
- Medium
- DCP
- Original title
- Lukas nino
- Language
- Tagalog
- Producer
- John Torres
- Production Company
- Los Otros Films
- Sales
- Los Otros Films
- Screenplay
- Dodo Dayao, Sherad Anthony Sanchez, John Torres
- Cinematography
- Gym Lumbera, Albert Banzon
- Editor
- John Torres
- Production Design
- Whammy Alcazaren, Jacyn Esquillon
- Cast
- Cheeno Dalog Ladera, Edilberto Marcelino
- Local Distributor
- Hubert Bals Fund