Filmmaker Director Brillante Mendoza has another opportunity to make Filipinos proud as he competes in the main category of the 66th San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain on September 21, with his entry “Alpha.” He is officially the first Filipino film maker to compete in this category.
This year, his own entry tackles the drug war anew in a story of a police officer and his Alpha, which means asset or informant in the law enforcement lingo. It stars international film festival veteran Allen Dizon.
After “Ma’ Rosa” and Netflix’s “Amo,” Direk Brillante says he still hasn’t exhausted his ideas on the subject of the government’s bloody drug war.
“It’ still very timely. When I did ‘Ma’ Rosa,’ there wasn’t much of this situation yet—about the government’s campaign on illegal drugs. Ma’ Rosa was developed four years before this administration and the same with ‘Amo’,” the multi-awarded director told In The Know.
“Gusto ko munang klaruhin na hindi mo kailangan magpunta ng Hollywood para ipakita ang mga bagay na hindi tayo. Unang-una, ang dami nating problema para pag-aksayahan ng panahon yung glitz and glamor, so siguro doon muna ako sa mga kuwento na sumasalamin sa buhay. Dahil ang glitz and glamor, marami na ang puwedeng gumawa niyan. Nagawa na nga yung ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ diba?” he said matter-of-factly.
According to Mendoza, Alpha merits attention to balance what’s being reported in the media, and to know the underlying reasons why people get involved in the drugs business.
In the Know further asked the Cannes Best Director if he ever sees himself showcasing the picturesque and “glitzier” side of the country, besides spotlighting social issues, but he deems it best to leave such movies to other directors.
