Asian American Film: Features

David Maquiling is "Someone to Watch"

04.01 - Posted by Editor

	David Maquiling is "Someone To Watch" Interview by Greg Pak

4.01.02 - David Maquiling was nominated as "Someone To Watch" at the 2002 Independent Spirit Awards for his debut feature film, "Too Much Sleep." Although it was shot in 1995 and premiered at festivals in 1997, "Too Much Sleep" did not receive a wide audience until October 2000 when Angelika Entertainment presented a limited theater run at New York's Anthology Film Archives.

AAF Congrats on the nomination! How did you find out about it and what was your reaction?

DM I found out about the nomination when I was in the Philippines last December for the screening of "Too Much Sleep" at the Cinemanila International Film Festival. I was in the Philippines for about six weeks visiting with my family there for the holidays so when I found out that we had been nominated, it really was a very beautiful moment since I was able to celebrate together with my all of my aunts and uncles and cousins there.

Links

"TMS" Official Site

AAF   What are your hopes for the Independent Spirit Awards experience? Has the nomination been helpful in lining up your next feature, for example?

DM  My hope is that the nomination will help us as we put together our next feature, "Another Deep Breath." The film deals with the struggling marriage of a young Filipino American couple and some of the dialogue is in Cebuano (one of the dialects spoken in the Philippines) so we are currently in the process of meeting with various producers and financing companies. I have to admit that mentioning the Spirit Award definitely seems to get people's attention.

AAF   If folks missed "Too Much Sleep" in the theaters, how can they see it now?

DM   "Too Much Sleep" just premiered last week on the Starz Encore cable system so people can now see the film on TV. Just check the local listings for the airing times. Within the next two months, it will be released on video and DVD at Blockbuster so hopefully it will find a whole new audience there, too.

AAF   What did you wear to the ceremony?

DM   The Spirit Awards ceremony is a bit more laid back than the Oscars so people wear everything from jeans and t-shirts to more suits and ties. I guess I chose a more formal look, with a black suit and funky peach-colored tie.

AAF   What's next for you?

DM   Right now, we're in the midst of casting "Another Deep Breath" and I'm fine tuning the script. I'm excited because some very talented people are interested in producing the film and working with us so I'm completely focused on making this film. I'm deeply, deeply grateful for the support and encouragement that "Too Much Sleep" has gotten over the years, and I am eager to get back to work and to continue learning and growing with "Another Deep Breath." It's really been a lot of fun.