Let’s get Althea Vega to the Baftas in style
Althea Vega is the star of the Cinemalaya historical sex-drama Amor y Muerte, and of Metro Manila, the British-Filipino production which was the Audience Favorite at Sundance, and Best Film at the British Independent Film Awards.
Yesterday we had coffee with Althea and Amor y Muerte director Ces Evangelista and AD Arman Reyes. We had requested a dvd screener for Amor, which we’re pitching to the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy (in the distant event they consider our suggestion). Of course we’re fans of Althea, a powerful screen presence; we think she could have a good career in foreign films (think Tetchie Agbayani).
We figured that with all the attention and awards Metro Manila has garnered abroad, Althea would already have an agent in Europe and the US. It turns out that she hasn’t had a chance to tour with the movie—she hasn’t been to a single film festival outside of Cinemalaya. Our indie filmmaker friends travel with their movies, and they’ve explained that festivals usually invite the directors and defray their airline and hotel expenses. The bigger events will invite actors and crew, but for the most part costs are shouldered by the producers and Metro Manila is a low-budget indie.
“But I’m going to the BAFTAs (the British Academy Awards, their Oscars) next month!” Althea announced. The awards ceremony will be held on February 16.
“That’s great!” we said. Metro Manila is nominated in the Film Not in the English Language category.
“Who are you wearing?” asked Chus.
Designer Ito Curata is very kindly sponsoring Althea’s gown for the Baftas. “I had to buy my own ticket to the awards night,” Althea said. “It cost 810 pounds (Php60,376 at today’s exchange rate)! Luckily, I had commissions coming in.” Althea is a real estate agent, a flamenco dancer, and a martial arts practitioner.
“You bought your own ticket to the Baftas?” we chorused.
“Yes, I really want to go,” she said. The girl is obviously thrilled.
Ordinarily if someone says they’re going to the Academy Awards, the first thing we would do is help design a catapult to launch them at Tom Hiddleston or Michael Fassbender. However, there were more pressing issues to consider.
“You’re not part of the official delegation for Metro Manila?”
“No.”
“So you’re not sitting with (director) Sean Ellis and company.”
“No, I’m far from the stage. Up in the balcony. But I’m so excited!”
“If you’re not with the group, then you’re not walking the red carpet,” we said. “You’re going a long way, you can’t sit in the back. You’re the star of an acclaimed movie! You have to walk the red carpet and get photographed.” (Clearly we were more stressed than she was. Yes, we do this a lot: interfere in other people’s lives.)
“You have your visa, plane ticket, hotel booking?” Chus asked.
“Yes,” Althea said. She didn’t have an official invitation from London, but she collected news features and reviews of Metro Manila and submitted them with her visa application. Smart.
“Okay, please message Sean Ellis and ask him to include you in their group.”
“Good idea,” she said, reaching for her phone.
“Who’s doing your make-up and hair for the BAFTAs?” Chus demanded.
“I’m doing them myself.”
“Do you have friends in London who can arrange photo shoots and interviews? As long as you’re there, might as well get some coverage. Hand out your portfolio or something. People love your movie.”
“Well…I have one friend there, but she’s not in show business…”
So there’s the situation. Althea Vega is going to the British Academy Awards on her own. She doesn’t need financial aid—the girl kicks ass—but she needs help to make a little noise while she’s in London, to get recognized for her work, and to get some really cool red carpet photos with Cate Blanchett, Leonardo DiCaprio, everybody.
We’re calling on our friends and readers in London, their friends, the friends of their friends, to drum up support for Althea—media coverage, styling, public appearances, introductions to agents, even a simple mention on Facebook and Twitter.
Let’s get Althea Vega to the BAFTAs in style.
Please post your suggestions/ideas in Comments or email us at saffron.safin@gmail.com and we’ll relay your messages to Althea.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
January 22nd, 2014 at 07:31
Don’t forget the catapult to Benedict Cumberbatch!
January 22nd, 2014 at 11:03
oh wait. punasan ko lang luha ko sandali. you guys are amazing for thinking of doing this. i’m sharing this on my facebook page.
January 30th, 2014 at 06:47
The vivacious and uber-talented Althea Vega is one you all should pay attention to now because one day soon she will be a major headliner in all of Pinoy Show Biz. I’ve watched all of her films and am amazed of her talent and how she effortlessly can seduce us all with those gorgeous, mezmerizing cat-like bedroom eyes of hers. And you mention Tetchie? Hoy, Hoy! I can tell you that Tetchie never saw the day she could hold a candle to Ms. Vega both on the screen or on the red carpet. Hope to see her in front of a thousand flashing camera bulbs. Mabuhay ka AV!