Director says abuse of power in his film a ‘social reality’
DIRECTOR Joel Lamangan has completed two advocacy films that he proudly screened to select members of the press: “Madawag ang Landas Patungong Pag-asa” (Thorny Path to Hope) and “Walkers”.
“Madawag” is a tribute to teachers, specially those who teach in dangerous rebel-infested areas, where all pupils of various grades are combined in one class. It also underlines the importance of getting a good education. “Walkers” is an angry film that condemns those who are in authority who have no reluctance in abusing their power, specially in exploiting and oppressing poor citizens.
“Madawag” starts with Rita Daniela seated on a bus that goes to a very remote village in Quezon. The conductor tells her “hanggang dito na lang po kami”, so she gets off and just walks until it gets dark. She gets into a village called Pag-asa and seeks shelter in a vacant schoolhouse.
The village priest and the barangay captain mistake her for the new teacher sent by DepED after teachers refuse to teach in their place as the former teacher and principal died in an encounter between the military and some rebels. Rita says, yes, she’s the new teacher and shows her ID to the priest and the barangay captain.
The movie shows her efforts to convince the townspeople to send back their kids to school and this proves to be an uphill battle because the kids are being used by the barangay captain in a gaming block chain on the internet where they already earn some money. While she’s teaching, Rita meets again a former boyfriend, Albie Casino, who has joined the rebels, and the head of the soldiers sent to protect them, Jak Roberto.
“Walkers” has no qualms about showing police abuse and brutality. Isn’t Direk Joel afraid some police authorities might complain with the way they are portrayed in the movie?
“But what we’re showing is social reality,” he says. “Totoo namang nangyayari ang ipinapakita natin ditong kasamaan at kalupitan ng ibang nasa position of power sa mga nakabababang sektor ng lipunan. Ang isang pulis dito, naghiganti sa isang kaanak niya, pina-frame up ito on drug charges, pinasaksak habang nasa loob ng piitan at ‘yung asawa, ginang-rape nila ng mga kasama niyang pulis saka pinatay.”
Aside from cops, he also shows abusive politicians. “Meron din ditong congressman na kumuha ng walker, tapos, ginulpi lang nang husto at binaboy. Winawalanghiya nila ang mga taong nagpapasuweldo sa kanila, ang mga taumbayan. The script is written by Troy Espiritu who based it on the true experience of a prostitute gang-raped by cops.”
Direk Joel is so fortunate that both of his films are superbly acted by the leads, specially the two Ritas. So what are his plans for both films?
“Right now, wala pang concrete plans. Gusto muna naming ipadala siya sa various international film festivals to generate interest among the public. Sana magtuluy-tuloy nang matapos ang pandemic to bring back things to normal at ang viewers, ma-convince na manood na uli ng movies sa mga sinehan.”
