Taking the lead role of Richard, a gangster running away from the murderous City Death Squad, Felix shows an undeniable range and versatility for what many call one of the most challenging performances ever taken on by an actor. Because Engkwentro was shot a la one continuous take, Felix styled his performance like a stageplay – memorizing all his lines and deeply internalizing his character. With no room for mistakes, Felix delved into the role – doing his own stunts and narrowly avoiding injuries on set.

In order to prepare for his performance, Felix drew from his own past experiences. A former fraternity member, Felix overcame his “wild” younger days and has now transformed himself into a very professional, serious actor. He wants young viewers to follow his example of conquering challenges and chasing dreams.

Felix Roco topbills the award-winning indie film, ENGKWENTRO – in theaters December 11, 12 & 13 at SM Cinemas in Mall of Asia, North Edsa, MegaMall, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Bacoor. Inspired by true events, Engkwentro follows the last 24 hours of two teenage brothers on opposite sides of a gang war. With a career-making performance by young heartthrob Felix Roco and directed by 22-year-old Pepe Diokno, the film took home two awards at September’s Venice Film Festival — including the Horizons Prize for new trends in cinema, and the US$ 100,000 Lion of the Future – “Luigi de Laurentiis” Award for best debut film.

– CLICK HERE for more photos of Felix Roco –

Felix Roco Shines in ‘Engkwentro’ originally appeared on Starmometer on November 27, 2009.

22-year-old Pepe Diokno, director of Engkwentro, received the Orizzonti Prize and the Lion of the Future – “Luigi De Laurentiis” Venice Award for a Debut Film. The Lion of the Future has a cash prize of US $100,000 or an estimated P4,850,000.00 to be divided equally between director and producer. Since Pepe Diokno is both director and producer of Enkwentro, he gets the amount in full.

Engkwentro stars Felix Roco, Zyrus Desamparado, Daniel Medrana, Eda Nolan, Bayang Barrios, Jim Libiran, and Celso Ad Castillo. The film is written, produced and directed by Pepe Diokno.

Brillante Mendoza‘s “Lola”, on the other hand, made it as one of the 25 competing films for the prestigious Golden Lion award. All 25 films in competition premiered in the prestigious festival in Italy. The last Filipino film to compete for the Golden Lion was Mike de Leon‘s Sister Stella L in 1984.

The Venice International Film Festival is considered the oldest in the world.

66th Venice Film Festival Winners:

Golden Lion for best film:
Lebanon by Samuel MAOZ (Israel, France, Germany)

Silver Lion for best director:
Shirin NESHAT for the film Zanan Bedone Mardan (Women Without Men) (Germany, Austria, France)

Special Jury Prize:
Soul Kitchen by Fatih AKIN (Germany)

Coppa Volpi for Best Actor:
Colin FIRTH in the film A Single Man by Tom FORD (USA)

Coppa Volpi for Best Actress:
Ksenia RAPPOPORT in the film La doppia ora by Giuseppe CAPOTONDI (Italy)

“Marcello Mastroianni” Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress:
Jasmine TRINCAin the film Il grande sogno by Michele PLACIDO (Italy)

“Osella” for Best Technical Contribution:
Sylvie OLIVÉ for the film Mr. Nobody by Jaco VAN DORMAEL (France)

“Osella” for Best Screenplay:
Todd SOLONDZ for the film Life during Wartime by Todd SOLONDZ (USA)

Orizzonti (New Horizons)

Orizzonti Prize Winner:
Engkwentro by Pepe Diokno (Philippines)

Orizzonti Prize for Best documentary:
1428 by DU Haibin (China)

Special Mention:
Aadmi ki aurat aur anya kahaniya (The Man’s Woman and Other Stories) by Amit Dutta (India)

“Luigi De Laurentiis” Award for a Debut Film

Lion of the Future – “Luigi De Laurentiis” Venice Award for a Debut Film to Engkwentro by Pepe DIOKNO (Philippines) – ORIZZONTI
as well as a prize of 100,000 USD, donated by Filmauro, to be divided equally between director and producer.

‘Engkwentro’ Wins Big in 66th Venice International Filmfest originally appeared on Starmometer on September 14, 2009.

Starring Felix Roco, Zyrus Desamparado, Daniel Medrana, Eda Nolan, Bayang Barrios, Jim Libiran, and Celso Ad Castillo. The films is written, produced and directed by Pepe Diokno.

Synopsis: Richard (Felix Roco) and Raymond (Daniel Medrana) are two teenage brothers. Richard is the leader of his gang, “Bagong Buwan,” while Raymond is just being inducted into rival gang, “Batang Dilim.” Complications at a deadly midnight engkwentro (square-off), when Raymond is given the task of killing his older brother.

Meanwhile, the City Death Squad lurks the streets. This real-life vigilante group is allegedly backed by the city mayor (Celso Ad Castillo) and responsible for many unsolved murders of teen gangsters. Today, they are hunting down Richard. Will they take the younger brother, too?

VIDEO LINK: Engkwentro – Full Trailer

Engkwentro – Cinemalaya Cinco Finalist originally appeared on Starmometer on July 12, 2009.