Brillante Mendoza Interview
Aquino, Angelica Anne H.
INTFILM FINAL PAPER
August 24, 2011
Professor Elvin Valerio
From The One Who Brought Brilliance to Philippine Cinema Independent films or “indie” films have really started to penetrate the film industry in the country. These so-called films have been supported by a program called Cinemalaya. Cinemalaya is a yearly independent film festival that is held during July to create a channel for young, fresh and aspiring directors to showcase their talents in film writing and directing. The funds given to aid the directors come from the Cinemalaya foundation which aims to develop and support the Philippine cinema industry and to explore the talents and capabilities of gifted Filipino independent film makers. However, this paper will concentrate on one gifted and brilliant director, Brillante Ma Mendoza. To set this paper apart from other works about him, I focused more on the personal aspect of his experiences rather than the obvious expressions and answers that he usually gives during interviews. The answers and opinions written in this paper will be from no less than the one who brought brilliance to Philippine cinema, the brilliant, the great, the admirable, Direk Brillante Mendoza. At first I had no idea to interview for this final project. A spark of hope came my way when my mother had told me that Brillante Mendoza lived in Chantilly Villas, a compound near where we used to live and where we live now. He lives so near that I could walk from our house to his compound. But even though he lived so near, I had my doubts since I knew that he was, being a very famous director, a very busy person. However to my surprise, after I had went to his office and handed out my request for interview, I had an immediate reply, “on Saturday nalang” his secretary had told me and my mom after having asked Mr. Mendoza himself if it was okay. By that experience alone I felt so humbled by how much he is open to interviews while he has free time or break
INTFILM FINAL PAPER
August 24, 2011
Professor Elvin Valerio
From The One Who Brought Brilliance to Philippine Cinema Independent films or “indie” films have really started to penetrate the film industry in the country. These so-called films have been supported by a program called Cinemalaya. Cinemalaya is a yearly independent film festival that is held during July to create a channel for young, fresh and aspiring directors to showcase their talents in film writing and directing. The funds given to aid the directors come from the Cinemalaya foundation which aims to develop and support the Philippine cinema industry and to explore the talents and capabilities of gifted Filipino independent film makers. However, this paper will concentrate on one gifted and brilliant director, Brillante Ma Mendoza. To set this paper apart from other works about him, I focused more on the personal aspect of his experiences rather than the obvious expressions and answers that he usually gives during interviews. The answers and opinions written in this paper will be from no less than the one who brought brilliance to Philippine cinema, the brilliant, the great, the admirable, Direk Brillante Mendoza. At first I had no idea to interview for this final project. A spark of hope came my way when my mother had told me that Brillante Mendoza lived in Chantilly Villas, a compound near where we used to live and where we live now. He lives so near that I could walk from our house to his compound. But even though he lived so near, I had my doubts since I knew that he was, being a very famous director, a very busy person. However to my surprise, after I had went to his office and handed out my request for interview, I had an immediate reply, “on Saturday nalang” his secretary had told me and my mom after having asked Mr. Mendoza himself if it was okay. By that experience alone I felt so humbled by how much he is open to interviews while he has free time or break
References: “Brillante Ma Mendoza: Rethink, Reinvent, Cinema! The Official Website Of Brillante Mendoza: www.brillantemamendoza.com.” Brillante Ma Mendoza: Rethink, Reinvent, Cinema! The Official Website Of Brillante Mendoza: www.brillantemamendoza.com, N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Aug. 2011. <http://brillantemamendoza.com/> “Brillante Mendoza: Philippines’ celebrated and divisive director – CNN.” Featured Articles from CNN. N.p., 13 Aug. 2009. Web. 20 Aug. 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2009-08-13/entertainment/brilliante.mendoza_1_cannes-film-festival-worst-film-philippines?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ>