Markova: Comfort Gay
Markova: Comfort Gay is a 2000 Filipino biographical-comedy, drama film based loosely on the life of Walter Dempster Jr., the last surviving Filipino "comfort gay" (male sex slaves for Japanese army) from World War II. The film tells the story of his hardships during his childhood and his travail during the World War II Japanese occupation of the Philippines. The character was played by actor Dolphy, who played the adult Markova while two of his sons, Eric Quizon and Jeffrey Quizon, played the role of two younger Markovas in two more different phases of his life.
| Markova: Comfort Gay | |
|---|---|
 The original film poster | |
| Directed by | Gil Portes |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by | Clodualdo del Mundo Jr. |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Joy Marfil |
| Cinematography | Johnny Araojo |
| Edited by | George Jarlego |
Production company | RVQ Productions |
| Distributed by | Vagrant Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino Japanese |
| Box office | ₱190,000,000.00 |
The film was later digitally restored and remastered in 4K high definition by the ABS-CBN Film Archives through the facilities of Central Digital Lab. The 4K restored version of the film was premiered digitally on Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2020.
Plot
After watching a documentary about the suffering of "comfort women" forced into sexual slavery during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, Markova decides to tell his own painful story to reporter Loren Legarda. Escaping the torment of growing up with an abusive older brother, he and his gay friends found further suffering at the hands of Japanese soldiers, forced as sex slaves to survive. But even after the war, Markova's struggle continued.
Cast
- Dolphy† as Walter Dempster Jr./Walterina Markova (adult years)
- Eric Quizon as Walterina Markova (during his middle years)
- Epi Quizon as the young Markova
- Ricci Chan as Anita
- R.S. Francisco as Minerva
- Melvin Lee as Carmen
- Loren Legarda as herself
- Freddie Quizon as Robert
- Andoy Ranay as Sophie
- Joel Lamangan as Councilor Justo Justo
- Chandro Concepcion as Roco
- Gio Alvarez as the young gay assistant in shelter.
Awards and recognitions
Official selections
- 2002 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
- 2002 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
- 2001 Brussels International Film Festival
2001 Brussels International Film Festival
- Won Prix de la Meilleure Interpretation, Dolphy, Eric Quizon, and Jeffrey Quizon
2001 FAMAS Awards
- Won Best Supporting Actor, Jeffrey Quizon
- Won Best Production Design, Kay Abano
- Nominated Best Actor, Dolphy
- Nominated Best sound, Albert Michael Idioma and Rudy Gonzales
2001 Gawad Urian Awards
- Won Best Supporting actor, Jeffrey Quizon
- Nominated Best Actor, Dolphy
- Nominated Best Music, Joy Marfil
- Nominated Best Production Design, Kay Abano
2001 Young Critics Circle
- Nominated Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design, Johnny Araojo and Kay Abano
- Nominated Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role, Dolphy
References
- "Metro Manila Film Festival:2000". IMDB. Retrieved 2014-04-09.