Boys’ Lockdown is the latest locally-produced BL series to hit digital platforms amid the genre’s growing popularity among Pinoy viewers.
When Ticket2Me, Southeast Asia’s first blockchain-enabled ticketing platform, released the official trailer of Boys’ Lockdown, fans were introduced to Key Kalunsod (Ali King) and Chen Chavez (Alec Kevin) and given a glimpse of how their story will thrive in a pandemic, enjoying their youth and falling in love.
The series marks the showbiz debut of Ali King, who is an ad industry professional and social media personality.
Alec Kevin, on the other hand, has starred in the critically-acclaimed short film Fish Out of Water, which won the Special Jury Prize for a short film in the 2016 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and was nominated in the best short film category in the 2017 Gawad Urian Awards.
In a STAR interview, the actors were asked about their reaction when they got their offer to star in yet another BL series.
Ali: “I was ecstatic to get the role of Key. I see myself in Key when I first read his lines during the auditions, and I knew at that moment that I really wanted to portray him in the series.”
Alec: “I think that the best part about getting the offer was that I didn’t expect it at all. In fact, during my birthday, which was the day before I found out, I had to force myself to think about other things so I could enjoy the day. So when I finally got the call the following day, I was over the moon with happiness and excitement! Definitely a belated birthday gift!”
Boys’ Lockdown also features Kapuso star Crystal Paras, Kaloy Tingcungco, Ivoy Colo, Teetin Villanueva, and Luis Padilla. Internet star Macoy Dubs will also be making a special appearance in one of the episodes.
The series is directed by the award-winning Filipino film director, screenwriter and producer Jade Castro, who is best known for his films My Big Love, Zombadings, and Endo, which won the Jury Prize at the third Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, and Best Screenplay at the 2007 Gawad Urian.
Boys’ Lockdown is the brainchild of writer and novelist Danice Mae P. Sison, a BL-fanatic who has worked with Philippine media giants ABS-CBN and GMA Network as well as international media organizations Nickelodeon Asia, Hallmark Channel, and DIVA Universal Channel.
The show’s director of photography, Tey Clamor, is a multi-awarded cinematographer whose works include Pan de Salawal, Ang Babaeng Allergic sa Wifi, and Ex with Benefits. She was awarded with the Best Cinematography for Ned’s Project at the 2016 CineFilipino Film Festival and for Metamorphosis at the 2019 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival.
Production designer and art director Popo Diaz is known for Mamu: And a Mother Too, Respeto, 1st ko si 3rd and Dementia that won him the 2015 Gawad Urian Award for Best Production Design.
Assistant Director Xeph Suarez is a queer Mindanaoan filmmaker based in Metro Manila, having directed short films such as Si Astri maka si Tambulah which earned him Best Director and a Jury Citation for Best Film at the 2018 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2018. He also produced Hondo, 2016 QCinema International Film Festival’s Best Short Film.
According to a media release, Boys’ Lockdown promises “a story of hope, forming genuine friendships even during inopportune times, and the determination to survive this pandemic as better people, who, despite odds thrown at them, continue to move forward.”
Boys’ Lockdown is set to premiere this October 15 on Ticket2Me’s video player and will be available on Ticket2Me’s YouTube Channel by October 18, 2020. Details are on www.ticket2me.net and their official social media pages.
You can watch the official trailer here:
