From left Isabelle Huppert and Rustica Carpio. CATCH CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Benjamin Padero.

Click on link for fullscreen pics:

http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/captive-reveals-societal-ills/

Written

by Jude Bautista

Kidnap victims sit huddled in an outrigger boat. Everyone is terrified. In the distance they hear another boat approaching. The Abu Sayyaf orders their captives to hunch down. A large tarp was thrown over concealing them from the other boat. None of them even thought of making any noise. The other boat is near, they’re just fishermen who wave in acknowledgment to the strange men. They pass by without any idea of the unusual cargo that lay beneath the cover.

from left: H.E. French Amb. Gilles Garachon , director Brillante Mendoza and French Cultural Counselor Christian Merer. Photo was taken during the “Captive” premiere as part of the The Citi-Rustans French Film Fest at the Shang Cineplex Shang Rila Plaza Mall. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Jude Bautista.

“Captive” by director Brillante Mendoza had its Philippine premiere at the Shang Cineplex last June 9, 2012. You can catch “Captive” in nearly all theaters this Sept. 5! Among the many V.IP’s in attendance were French Amb. Gilles Garachon, Senator Loren Legarda and National Artists for Literature Bien Lumbera and F. Sionil Jose. The screening was part of the Citi-Rustan’s French film festival.

from right: Senator Loren Legarda, H.E. Amb. of France Gilles Garachon and FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos. Photo was taken during the “Captive” premiere as part of the The Citi-Rustans French Film Fest at the Shang Cineplex Shang Rila Plaza Mall. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Jude Bautista

Actress/ model Angel Aquino played nurse Olive in “Captive” and is also in “Sta Niña” by Manny Palo in Cinemalaya. Photo was taken during the “Captive” premiere as part of the The Citi-Rustans French Film Fest at the Shang Cineplex Shang Rila Plaza Mall. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Jude Bautista.

The current film fest at Shang Cineplex that also opens on Sept. 5 is the Cine Europa Film fest which screens the hottest European films for free. All films during the Citi-Rustans French Film festival were also screened for free. They included the works of Olivier Assayas and many other French directors. Alan Paule who plays an orderly in “Captive” is also in “MNL 143” which will also be screened in Cine Europa.

“The Captive” creative team from left: screenwriter Boots Agbayani Pastor, Line Prod. Larry Castillo, Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza, “Thy Womb” screenwriter Henry Burgos. Mendoza will also release “Thy Womb” starring Nora Aunor later this year. Photo was taken during the “Captive” premiere as part of the The Citi-Rustans French Film Fest at the Shang Cineplex Shang Rila Plaza Mall. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Jude Bautista

As recognition of our Independence Day, selected Filipino films that have been exhibited in France were also screened last June 12. “Busong” by Aureus Solito was in (Director’s Fortnight, Cannes 2011), “Manila” by Raya Martin and Adolf Alix Jr. (Official Selection, Cannes 2009), “Bakal Boys” by Ralston Jover (Participant Cinéfondation Atelier 2012).

from left: FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos, French Cultural Counselor Christian Merer and French Audio Visual Attaché Martin Macalintal. Photo was taken during the “Captive” premiere as part of the The Citi-Rustans French Film Fest at the Shang Cineplex Shang Rila Plaza Mall. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Jude Bautista

Isabelle Huppert is assisted by Allan Paule and Mon Confiado. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Benjamin Padero.

Watching “Captive” unfold on screen brings back memories of news stories of tourists foreign and local, kidnapped by the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) more than a decade ago. Abu Sayyaf meaning “bearer of the sword” is a terrorist group that has links with Al Qaeda. There were quite a few mysteries then that could not be solved in the media regarding the kidnapping. One of them was how they were transported and yet were undetected by authorities. The tarpaulin incident above is one of many that reveal how the group did it.

From left: Actress/ model Angel Aquino and MTRCB Chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares. Aquino played nurse Olive in “Captive” and is also in “Sta Niña” by Manny Palo in Cinemalaya. Photo was taken during the “Captive” premiere as part of the The Citi-Rustans French Film Fest at the Shang Cineplex Shang Rila Plaza Mall. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Jude Bautista

Filipino audiences will find out the hows and whys that perplexed them during the year long incident. Soon after the commercial release of “Captive” Mendoza will also screen his much awaited film starring Nora Aunor, “Thy Womb” or Sinapupunan local title. There is also a planned blockbuster film by Mendoza with Nora, Vilma Santos and Coco Martin.

from left: Cast member Madeline Nicolas, Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino member Mario Hernando, Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza, Natl Artists for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera (MPP member) and actress Racquel Villavicencio. Photo was taken during the “Captive” premiere as part of the The Citi-Rustans French Film Fest at the Shang Cineplex Shang Rila Plaza Mall. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Jude Bautista

Captive is captivating on every level. Although the film is quite action packed it was also able to show that the problem of terrorism is not black and white. The ASG has diminished in power but the same societal ills that gave birth to their organization still exist. Poverty, sectorial violence and lack of educational and job opportunities are only among the few problems which motivate people to join the ASG.

from left: Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza, Natl Artists for Literature F. Sionil Jose and Bienvenido Lumbera (MPP member). Mendoza will also release “Thy Womb” starring Nora Aunor later this year. Photo was taken during the “Captive” premiere as part of the The Citi-Rustans French Film Fest at the Shang Cineplex Shang Rila Plaza Mall. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Jude Bautista

Mendoza doesn’t oversimplify the conflict as good guy / bad guy. He very ably captures the harrowing and fast paced pursuit of the military and the group’s escape through jungles and waterways. There’s almost never a dull moment. Violence is not just physical. It is also mental where the constant threat and verbal abuse sometimes is worse than getting shot.

From right: H.E. Amb of France Gilles Garachon, Actress/ model Angel Aquino played nurse Olive and Jewelmer Managing Dir Jacques Branellec. Photo was taken during the “Captive” premiere as part of the The Citi-Rustans French Film Fest at the Shang Cineplex Shang Rila Plaza Mall. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Jude Bautista

The ordeal lasted for over a year so it was inevitable that the victims bond with their captors. Some members of the ASG and the kidnapped victims were shot by military during many encounters. The situation was a perfect case for the Stockholm syndrome.

From right: MB Entertainment columnist Crispina Belen, Brillante Mendoza and Nards Belen. Photo was taken during the “Captive” premiere as part of the The Citi-Rustans French Film Fest at the Shang Cineplex Shang Rila Plaza Mall. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Jude Bautista

Isabelle Huppert plays Thérèse Bourgoine,  a French social worker helping educate children in Palawan. At first she is traumatized but slowly became the strongest willed among the victims. She looks out for Soledad (Rustica Carpio) who works with her and was also kidnapped. Therese even becomes a mother figure to Hamed (Timothy Mabalot), a 16-year-old terrorist recruit. Hamed is an example of some people who are victims of poverty, lack of education and sometimes military abuse. The whole cast has many great Filipino actors, some of them only having cameo roles. Anita Linda and Evelyn Vargas pop out of nowhere as villagers sheltering the group on the run.

Therese (Isabelle Huppert) center assists Soledad (Rustica Carpio) as Tado Jimenez leads them. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Benjamin Padero.

The actors portraying the Abu Sayyaf members were all exceptional.  The usually handsome Sid Lucero was almost unrecognizable as Mokhif, the most ruthless killer of the group. Mon Confiado as Abu Omar was the one barking orders at the captives. Ronnie Lazaro plays Abu Azali who is based on real life leader Abu Sabaya. He is the most recognizable among the ASG bosses with trademark head warmer and sunglasses. Tado Jimenez seems like a surprising casting choice. But even he is convincing as part of the group. Wearing his thick retro Coke bottle glasses and speaking broken English, he is the comic relief among the terrorists.

Seated from left counterclockwise: Isabelle Huppert, Che Ramos (Center), Rustica Carpio, Angel Aquino, Allan Paule and Mon Confiado. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo from http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/11397171/image/89856826-cast-of-brillante-mendoza-s-captive

Angel Aquino and Che Ramos are nurses Olive and Joan, who get caught up as victims when the group seeks shelter at their rural hospital. Aquino’s perfect face seems out of place in the jungle but because of her acting skills she becomes the character. One of her scenes is delivering a child in the hospital during a firefight between the military and the kidnappers. Angel was also be seen in Manny Palo’s “Sta Niña” in  Cinemalaya film fest last July. Angel Aquino fans can also watch her first lead role in lock buster film called “Amorosa.”

From left: Ces Drilon, Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza, Karen Davila and Line Producer Larry Castillo. Photo was taken during the “Captive” premiere as part of the The Citi-Rustans French Film Fest at the Shang Cineplex Shang Rila Plaza Mall. Catch CAPTIVE in theaters by September 5, 2012! Photo by Jude Bautista

Pinoy Cannes directors from left: Auraeus Solito is warmly welcomed home by Brillante Mendoza. Photo was taken during the French Film Festival opening at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza Mall last June 8, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written by

Jude Bautista

A powder white sand bar peeks out of crystal blue waters. The ocean stretches as far as the eye can see. The sky is also perfect, everything seems like a dream. Toti (Vince Magbanua), a 10 year old child happily brings his father Lulong (Dax Alejandro) clams for their lunch. For him gathering the shellfish is more like a game than anything else. After Toti almost steps on a stonefish his father teaches him a prayer to protect him from its poison. Toti then happily runs out afar to gather more clams again.

Pinoy Cannes directors from left: Auraeus Solito, Amb of France Thierry Borja de Mozota, Brillante Mendoza and French Audio Visual Attaché Martin Macalintal. Photo was taken during the French Film Festival opening at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza Mall last June 8, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

When he’s gone the silence is shattered by a large speedboat. Men with M16 rifles look menacingly at Lulong. They get off the speed boat and tell Lulong that he can no longer fish here. A tall Caucasian man bearded with shades and a hat shows the land title to Lulong, then slaps him. In reply he screams, “Bago pa naging Palawan ang tawag sa mga islang ito. Palawan na ang tao dito!” The men with rifles tear down his kettle and tether his small banca to their speed boat so they can never return. Just then the Caucasian man steps on a stonefish and is in terrible pain. The armed men ask Lulong to pee on the foot to relieve the landowner. Lulong mutters under his breath, “Yan ang kanyang busong.”

from left: Vince Magbanua, Dax Alejandro and Auraeus Solito during the sand bar scene of Busong.

“Busong (Palawan Fate)” by Auraeus Solito is in the Director’s Showcase category of the Cinemalaya film fest which will run from July 16-24 at the CCP and Greenbelt3 cinemas. The Awards night will be on July 24^th, also at the CCP Main Theater. It was the only Filipino film to participate in this year’s Cannes Film fest and got rave reviews from French and European newspapers.

CInema One head Ronald Arguelles gives Auraeus Solito a congratulatory hug. Photo was taken during the French Film Festival opening at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza Mall last June 8, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

From left: French Embassy's Audio Visual attache Martin Macalintal, Cinema One film fest head Ronald Arguelles, Direk Brillante Mendoza. Photo was taken during the French Film Festival opening at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza Mall last June 8, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Along with “Busong” in the Directors showcase category are: “Bisperas” by Jeffrey Jeturian, Isda (Fable of the Fish) by Adolfo Alix Jr. and Patikul by Joel C. Lamangan. The finalists of the Directors showcase each received a P500,000 seed grant from the Cinemalaya Foundation. The Best Film in the Directors Showcase will receive a prize of P300,000 and the Balanghai Trophy. The Director’s Showcase is open to full length feature works by Filipino directors who have directed at least three full-length commercial feature films.

Alessandra De Rossi as Punay with the symbolic butterfly.

Alessandra De Rossi is in the lead role as Punay. She is a metaphor for their people who have been oppressed and damaged. Aris is played by Clifford Bañagale, a Fil-Am actor who gained fame via Sacha Baron-Cohen’s “Bruno”. Clifford was cast as Bruno’s boyfriend Diesel. As good as the professional actors were Solito may have found gems of performers right in hisPalawanauditions. Bonivie Budao as Ninita has that hot morena appeal and female curves similar to Mercedes Cabral. Walter Arenio and Rodrigo Santikan also have bright futures as actors.

From left: Rodrigo Santikan, Bonivie Budao and Art Villaver

Clifford Bañagale's role Aris is actually based on Auraeus Solito himself.

“Busong” is a combination of Palawan myth and events that actually took place in very recent history. The feature is almost like a more emotional version of a documentary film also by Auraeus Solito called “Basal Banar.” The documentary was recently screened at the French Film festival at Shangri-La Plaza Cineplex. The documentary shows the: who what, when, where, how and why of a land grabbing incident in the 1970’s.  Native peoples who had lived in the last frontier for millennia were displaced through violent means.

From right: French Audio Visual Attaché Martin Macalintal, PDI Publisher Isagani Yambot, Cannes participants Director Auraeus Solito, actress Bonivie Budao, actor Walter Arenio and Producer Hai Balbwena. Photo was taken during the French Film Festival opening at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza Mall last June 8, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Busong shows the magnificence of Palawan's landscapes. Louie Quirino's Cinematography is a shoo in for an award.

“Basal Banar” while very informative, is at a disadvantage compared to “Busong.” It does not have the very skillful cinematography of Louie Quirino who captured the spectacular landscapes and seascapes of Palawan. It also had underwater shots of the actors who had to cross rivers and turbulent seas. Alessandra De Rossi seemed like a ‘Diwata’ or forest goddess while bathing in the placid pool by a small waterfall. The jungle was alive with green foliage and the sounds of rustling waters.  Her wounds are the pain and suffering meted out to the true people of  Palawan.

Alessandra De Rossi as Punay, her wounds are a metaphor of the suffering of the Palawan.

The prosthetics of her open wounds by make up artist Ron Sambile were so convincing that audiences cringed upon seeing them close up. At a later scene when butterflies slowly emerged from them, a collective gasp could be heard even from the viewers in France. Solito assured me that none of the effects were CGI or computer generated. They were a combination of prosthetics, props and real chrysalis of butterflies about to emerge from their cocoons.  I believe it’s a shoo in for Best Cinematography and Original Score in the Director’s Showcase category. There would be no surprise if it gathered several more awards. All the images and sequences tell the story and travails of his people. After seeing the magnificence of the land, you cannot help but be moved and understand why Solito wants to share it with the world.

Le Marquis is screening for free at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from June 8-19 as part of the French Film Fest 2011

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

Quentin (Richard Berry) and Thomas (Franck Dubosc) were wearing fake airline pilot uniforms and got into an elevator. A real pilot walks in and happens to ask their names. Thomas says with a straight face, “My name is Kirk…Captain Kirk.” The real pilot still fails to see the Star Trek reference and seriously asks the name of Quentin. Thomas adds, “Oh he’s Spock!” Quentin nearly slaps Thomas. Instead as soon as the doors open they bolt out of the elevator running. It was part of their planned escape from their captors. They run through the airport until they feel they’ve distanced themselves. In the next corner they are unaware of the muscular scary looking man and his partner looking at them suspiciously. Eventually, their wild explanation is a cause of both confusion and humor to their captors and audiences.

The scene was shot at the Cebu airport and is part of the French and Filipino co production ‘Le Marquis’. The Marquis opened the French Film festival running in Shang Cineplex atShangRilaPlazafrom June 9 to 18, 2011. In attendance of the premiere were French Ambassador Thierry Borja de Mozota and Shang Rila Plaza Finance Manager Tess Durante. And fresh from his participation of theCannesfilm festival for the film “Busong”, Aureus Solito was part of the ribbon cutting ceremony. Two previous Filipino Cannes participants: Brillante Mendoza and Raya Martin were also in attendance of the French film fest opening.

French Film fest opening From left: French Audio Visual Attaché Martin Macalintal, Axantis Productions Head Louis Paul Heussaff, Shang Rila Financial Mgr. Tess Durante, Amb of France Thierry Borja de Mozota, Pinoy Cannes directors Aureus Solito and Brillante Mendoza. Photo was taken during the French Film Festival opening at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza Mall last June 8, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

As part of the fest, a retrospective of Aureus Solito’s work and a short film of Raya Martin will also be screened on June 12, 2011 also at Shang Cineplex. Solito’s film “Busong” is part of this year’s Director’s Showcase category in Cinemalaya film fest from July 16-24 at theCulturalCenterof thePhilippines.

Solito said of ‘Le Marquis’, “The humor is something that Filipino movie goers will be able to get and appreciate. Thomas (Franck Dubosc) actually reminds me of Dolphy. Their styles are very similar with physical comedy and facial expressions.” Entrance is free of charge on a first come first served basis for all films in the fest. Dubosc is white haired, ruddy faced and is too nerdy looking to be convincing as a criminal mastermind. In one scene Thomas almost becomes a mime as he explains his complex scheme for the heist to Jo (Jean-Hugues Anglade). It becomes a hilarious form of charades as he tries to convince Jo of the viability of the plan. His partner Quentin played by Richard Berry has the same light beard and grey hair of another famous French actor, Jean Renoit (Pink Panther). Quentin in this film is the straight guy of the duo.

Quentin Tasseau (Richard Berry) is a chronically inept career criminal whose failure has gotten him to trouble with the mob. In a desperate scheme to save himself, he recruits a famous criminal mastermind Le Marquis to pull off a large heist inManila. The problem is that Thomas Gardesse (Franck Dubosc) made the claim of being Le Marquis only to avoid being raped in jail. Both of them are the worst possible choices for the job. Story wise there are quite a few holes, but usually it’s the laughs that audiences look for in a film like this.

‘Camera Café’, a TV show starring Epi Quizon also gets some screen time.  Axantis Productions is the same outfit that produced both the show and Le Marquis. Axantis President Louis Paul Heussaff raved about the support of Filipino production and technical support that helped make the film. “These days I’m more popularly known as Solenn’s father,” referring to his daughter Solenn Heussaff and female lead in GMA’s ‘Captain Barbell.’

from left: Shang Rila Financial Mgr. Tess Durante and Director Raya Martin. Photo was taken during the French Film Festival opening at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza Mall last June 8, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Key Filipino roles in the film include Joel Torre as Commandant Swat. The bright faced Kalila Aguilos plays a bank receptionist. A mysterious, scary looking, muscular and dark enforcer of the mob is named ‘Jesus.’ He may be one of those characters that director Dominique Farrugia discovered  here that was perfect for the role. Jesus hardly had any lines but had a very intimidating presence. One thing that Filipino audiences may notice is that they shot the film mostly in Cebu but is actually set inManila. A lot of the interiors were in Shang Rila Mactan Hotel, needing to show the posh lifestyle of an international criminal syndicate. The impressive pool and beach front were perfect locations for Le Marquis.