A Fabulous Journey with “The ‘Thank You’ Girls” ---
In gay lingo, beauty pageant candidates who do not make it as
semi-finalists are called "backstage beauties", "clappers" or "thank
you girls".
The writer of the box-office hit "Daybreak" and Asian Film Awards
nominee Charliebebs "Bebs" Gohetia ventures into his first full-length
directorial debut with a fun and funny gay film about beauty pageant
losers in 'The `Thank You' Girls" (TYG).
TYG is an interesting, intelligent comedy about six dysfunctional gay
beauty pageant veterans who embark on a journey from their hometown
Davao City to Cagayan de Oro City to join a big contest riding in a
loudly colored orange jeep.
This indie film provides a breath of fresh air from the usual gay
films released this year about tragedy and sex. Shot for ten days in
the breathtaking landscapes of Davao , Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro,
Bebs used nonprofessional Visayan actors for the film, most of them
real beauty pageant contestants in Davao .
"In TYG, crossdressing gays are not the subject of ridicule but are
portrayed as intelligent, strong individuals who have dreams,
aspirations and personal issues like anybody else. This wonderful,
colorful side of gayness is rarely explored in films and I hope that
after watching TYG, the audience will be more understanding and more
accepting of how diverse the world is", Bebs says.
Aside from being Bebs' first full length film, TYG offers other
firsts. This is the first production venture of New York based film
outfit Brooklyn Park Pictures, the first line producing job of
renowned indie director Adolfo Alix, Jr., and the first movie to use
Visayan gay lingo as its language.
"What's unique about the film is that it transcends gender preferences
and sexuality. Gays will love TYG for its fabulous costumes and its
empowering message. Women will love it for its wit. Straight men will
learn from it," comments James R. Hohl, the film's executive producer.
TYG has already been invited to compete at an international film
festival in September. But before that, Filipinos will have a chance
to watch its world premiere with tagalog subtitles on August 28, 2008,
at the UP Cine Adarna (formerly UP Film Center ) at 6:30pm.
