Pocketful of possibilities
Esteemed director Brillante Mendoza believes the future of the aspiring filmmaker is literally within his reach
Esteemed director Brillante Mendoza believes the future of the aspiring filmmaker is literally within his reach
Whenever director Brillante Mendoza looks at his mobile phone, he smiles seeing not just pixels but possibilities. In an interview with Bulletin Entertainment, he said phones can be used to full effect by the budding helmsman for making movies.
“Actually we’ve (already) been doing this in the past. Merong mga films na ginawa sa phone professionally. It’s quite exciting now that we are making full use of the technology.”
At the very least, it’s a way to practice filmmaking and sharpen visual skills. Proof of this is the Pixelworx: Cinemansanas Campaign 2017 where the director sat as one of the judges and mentors, along with director Yam Laranas, author and scriptwriter Ricky Lee, and Rebelde Film Camp founder J.E. Tiglao.
Produced by Apple in partnership with Power Mac Center, the campaign challenges aspiring filmmakers to create short films using an iPhone.
This year’s competition had two categories: “Do You Have A Minute,” and “Cinemansanas With Brillante Mendoza.” The first category was limited to one minute while the second was restricted to three minutes.
“Para makuha mo ’yung impact, ’yung message, makuha mo ’yung aesthetics ng filmmaker in just a minute? That was very challenging. But other than the time, hindi ko sila binigyan ng limit sa choice of stories nila,” Mendoza said.
The competition had 31 participants. The Diamond award for the “Do You Have A Minute” category went to Don Diaz’s “Balat Sibuyas,” while “Kuya” by Carlo Fajarda took home the grand prize in the “Cinemansanas With Brillante Mendoza” category.
The mentor
With so many recognitions under his belt, we asked Mendoza what more he could ask for.
The director answered he wants to impart knowledge to young filmmakers.
“That is my way of giving back,” he said. “Mas maraming filmmakers, mas maganda, mas (may) advantage sa atin.”
For this, Mendoza has been attending seminars and festivals in different regions in the country. He also dedicates his time to film appreciation sessions in different schools.
He urges filmmakers that as storytellers, they must stay true to themselves.
“Ang attitude ng isang filmmaker ay dapat hindi niya ikocompromise ang kaniyang cinema, ’yan ang number one,” he noted. “Passion is a given, but ’yung pagiging truthful, that’s very important towards the craft.”
The 55-year-old director thinks filmmaking is a journey, always a work in progress. This is why aspiring filmmakers should always look at every project as a way for them to learn more about the craft, and themselves.
“There’s no such as a perfect film. So every time na nakakagawa sila ng pelikula take that as opportunity to enhance their skills,” he insisted. “Basta, keep on learning.”
The most important advice Mendoza could give young filmmakers is to always put their feet on the ground and not get carried away by praises when these come.
“At ’wag nilang kakalimutan na isa siyang Filipino filmmaker at dalhin nila ’yung pagka-Pilipino nila kahit saan at ano man ang gagawin nila.” While he is tagged as one who opened more doors for independent films, Mendoza plays it down. “It just so happens na ako pumasok ako sa time na nagkakaroon talaga ng awareness sa ating sarili, sa ating pagka-Pilipino and ako swerte lang na-recognize ako,” he said. “Ang tagal ko na sa industry, hindi ako nabibigyan ng opportunity pero nu’ng dumating ako sa edad na’to at finally nabigyan na (ng opportunity), I have to acknowledge that.” Mendoza’s films usually ponder on the plight of marginalized people and issues affecting society. His sensibility or aesthetic has been described as that of an “eyewitness account,” as described by American director Quentin Tarantino after the latter saw the Pinoy director’s “Kinatay.” Mendoza, who prefers to call himself an alternative director, said he will always do films tackling social issues as these spread awareness.
“Naniniwala ako as filmmaker na nagkakaroon ng mas malaking impact (ang isang pelikula) kung merong pinag-uusapan, hindi lang ’yung pang-personal na kwento,” he explained. “Marami naman tayong genre films na napapanuod pero I believe kailangan nating mga Pilipino ang mga pelikula na magmumulat sa atin sa mga katotohanang nangyayari sa ating lipunan.”
He added, “Nagiging second nature ko na ang maghanap ng issues, maghanap ng kwento. Hindi lang (kasi) dapat ’yung technical aspect (ang tinitignan), hindi lang ’yung form kung hindi ’yung mismong content (ng pelikula). Na ano bang pwedeng matutunan ko sa pelikulang ito, not only as a Filipino, not only as an audience but as a human being.”
Mendoza is currently doing the film “The Right To Kill” due for completion this year. But of course, he will submit it to international film festivals.
Is he pressured to win awards anew, we asked.
“Hindi naman kailangang manalo ’yung film para masabing magaling at maganda. Maraming films ang hindi nananalo pero magaling. Hindi ko kailangan ma-pressure,” said the Cannes Best Director winner.
Wag kakalimutan na isa siyang Filipino filmmaker at dalhin nila ’yung pagka-Pilipino nila kahit saan at ano man ang gagawin nila.