Two PH LGBTQIA+ films head to the New York Asian Film Festival

Photo from NYAFF

Director Quark Henares’ “Where Is the Lie?” may sound like modern-day nightmare fuel with its elements of transphobic catfishing, ghosting, and cancel culture. Still, it’s also a funny and moving film where the director gloriously dishes payback. And it’s heading to the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) for its July 22, 10:15 p.m. screening at the Lincoln Center.

The film’s New York premiere will include an introduction and Q&A with Henares and actor Royce Cabrera. “Where Is the Lie?” had its world premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival back in January in Utah. It screened at the Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy last April.

Alternatively titled “Marupok AF,” “Where Is the Lie?” is based on a viral Twitter thread in 2020. A trans woman came forward with transphobic catfishing allegations against a local photographer.

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“Where Is the Lie?”: Actors and plots

Trans actress EJ Jallorina stars as hopeless romantic Janzen Torres. She matches with the seemingly perfect Theo Balmaceda, played by Cabrera, on a dating app. When Theo ghosts her on the day of their meetup, the heartbroken Torres starts uncovering the web of lies and manipulation spun by Maris Racal’s Beanie Landridos.

Landridos, who’s out to humiliate queer people like Torres for kicks, then faces reckoning.

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Another Filipino film on queer issues making its NYAFF debut on July 22 is Percival Intalan’s rom-com musical “I Love You, Beksman.” Turning the standard coming-out story on its head, the film follows the story of flamboyant makeup artist and designer Dali (Christian Bables), who surprises everyone when he falls in love with a woman.

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Tickets are now available on the NYAFF website.