A Filipino story inspired by a Thai set-up
DIRECTOR Michael Tuviera’s The Kingdom, is not a period piece nor anything historical. The film weaves the story of present time royal family, similar to the one in Thailand where The Kingdom was inspired from.
“Our peg was the royal family of Thailand,” informed direk Mike. “They were not colonized but they still have their royal family. When you go to Thailand, it’s current and modern when it comes to storytelling.”
“I wish I could watch the film with fresh eyes at walang kaalam-alam. But aside from the MTRCB (Movie and Television Review and Classification Board), who gave The Kingdom a PG (parental guidance) classification, we all have yet to see the film in full.”
The stellar cast and production crew of The Kingdom is admittedly proud about the film. “However, much you might have liked the trailer of The Kingdom, that is only 30 percent of the film,” said direk Mike.
“So, the actual meat of the film, the 70 percent, is not seen in the trailer. That’s more complicated especially the third act, that’s heavy. There were influences from other countries.
“So, let’s keep that part of the secret for The Kingdom. Let’s give the audience the opportunity and allow them to discover that for themselves. The artists of The Kingdom were undoubtedly surprised with the concept the film had to offer.”
When The Kingdom was first unveiled as one of the ten official entries for the 50th anniversary of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the film initially received a tentative affirmation from Bossing Vic Sotto.
However, when Vic was told the film will not push through without him in the cast, the actor-comedian-producer met with Tuviera, who wrote story with Michelle Ngu-Nario, to discuss about the project.
“The production design used for this film, hindi nila ginawa dahil maganda sa mata,” insisted Bossing Vic, who plays the lead Lakan Makisig, a monarch in the Kingdom of Kalayaan torn between the weight of his legacy and challenges of fatherhood.
“They put tattoos all over my body,” disclosed Vic. “The more tattoos, the higher your place in society. They painted my whole body and it took four hours to apply the tattoos. That’s challenging.
“If the Philippines became a monarchy, this is our present state. Is it really good or maybe bad? This film will show us what will happen.”
Sue Ramirez essays Dayang Lualhati, the youngest child of the king. “There were so many who ruled our nation in the past, but not one thought what would the Philippines look like if all these didn’t happen before,” said Sue.
“The first time I found out about the whole story, I called up my friends and family and told them about the concept of the film we were making,” disclosed Sid Lucero, who plays Magat Bagwis.
“Growing up, I’ve always loved the alternate world of ours,” insisted Sid. “To impersonate an alternate world around it, it just tells us filmmakers that here in the Philippines, we are beginning to move out of that box.”
Cristine Reyes, who plays Dayang Matimyas, insisted we would have embraced our own culture from the start without the influence of others.
“This film mirrors the current situation of today’s Filipinos,” said Cristine. “We will get to see that there are many people who are brought largely by power.”
Piolo Pascual, who plays Sulo, an outcast farmer shunned by society. His destiny changes when he meets Lakan and becomes entangled in a fierce struggle for power with the Kingdom of Kalayaan.
“The story itself is all there is when artists make films,” said Piolo. “With The Kingdom, you will go home thinking what could have happened with the lives of Filipinos then if we were not conquered and we were given a chance.
“I think it’s important for us moviegoers to see something that will make us feel the what-ifs in our lives. The alternate universe, if we were not conquered, these are the things which we can really watch.”
Supervising producer Jojo Oconer insisted the production was guided by actual data when they started filming in Intramuros and Antipolo, where the important exterior shots were taken.
“This film also shows our glorious past, which our heroes, Dr. Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio, laid down for us,” said Oconer.
Playing special roles are Iza Calzado, Cedrick Juan and Eula Valdez as the queen Lakambini Hiraya, who passed on earlier due to child birth.
The Kingdom which promises an immersive cinematic journey, is presented by MQuest Ventures, APT Entertainment and MZet TV Productions.
