"Cuchera" by Joseph Laban competes in Cinemalaya 2011

Thirty one new digital films will compete in the 2011 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in Manila from July 15 to 24, 2011. It is an all-digital film festival that aims to discover cinematic works of new Filipino filmmakers that articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity. Cinemalaya’s main competition categories are the New Breed full feature category and the Short Feature. The Directors Showcase is a competition for works by established directors.

Nine films will compete in the New Breed full length feature category; ten in the Short feature category and four in the Directors Showcase. The New Breed category includes "Cuchera", a film by a native of Boac, Marinduque, Joseph Israel Laban. Laban is a multi-media journalist and independent filmmaker. He obtained his Master’s degree in Journalism with a concentration in News and Documentary at New York University’s Arthur Carter Journalism Institute on a Fulbright Scholarship.

Laban is currently with GMA News and Public Affairs and handles the production of specials.

Marinduquenos, especially the new-breed of Marinduquenos, are enjoined to watch Laban's film.

CUCHERA Trailer

Cuchera from Joseph Laban on Vimeo.

"Cuchera" stars Maria Isabel Lopez as Isabel, Simon Ibarra, CJ Ramos, Paolo Rivero, Jon Neri and others.

Isabel’s character is based on the story of an actual Filipina drug mule who was caught with 8 capsules of heroin lodged in her sex organ, 48 in the rectum and 11 in her abdomen after an x-ray was conducted by Chinese authorities. In Southeast Asia the Philippines leads in the number of nationals arrested in China for drug smuggling.

As of 2009, there are currently 95 Filipinos languishing in various jails in Chinese territories – four of whom are on death row. Violators include minors who enter China with fake passports.

CUCHERA's screening schedule:
16 July/Sat, 6:15PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
18 July/Mon, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
19 July/Tue, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
20 July/Wed, 12:45PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
21 July/Thu, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
22 July/Fri, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
22 July/Fri, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)