Sinag Maynila’s ‘Mrs.’: The old and weary on amity, neglect

A deep introspection of feelings of two women is what director Adolf Alix Jr.  tries to deliver in his film “Mrs.”

The Sinag Maynila entry puts forward the acting prowess of veterans Elizabeth Oropesa and Lotlot de Leon in a domestic drama that mirrors life’s harsh realities.

In the film, 70-year-old Virginia (Oropesa) can not bear to part with her ever loyal maid Delia (de Leon) who has decided to marry her long-time partner Rene and settle for good in the province.

Virginia also tries to escape from her unconquerable past—the disappearance of her only son Sonny Boy.

The story unfolds in an ancestral house located at an earthquake fault zone.

Alix shared to INQUIRER.net how “Mrs.” had its birth.

“My writer Ralston Jover and I had been talking about things when we came across a documentary that shows a village where houses sit on a fault line,” he said.

“We thought it would make a good story for the film. Those people aged 50 and above who are left alone in their houses after their children move out.”

That milieu, where homes are intermittently shaken by earthquake, according to Alix, alludes to the problems the characters of Oropesa and de Leon have to deal with.

“While facing their problems, their inner demons are being unleashed,” he said.

In 2008, Alix made a drama that tackles a story of a loving grandmother. “Adela,” played by the nonagenarian actress Anita Linda, earned numerous recognitions in local and international film festivals.

The internationally acclaimed screenwriter and director said he has always thought of doing a sequel for Adela or making a movie with a similar theme.

“Usually the films I make are about the youth. I thought that sector [elderly people] is being neglected. That is why I am thankful to Sinag Maynila for giving us the chance to pursue this kind of story which is seldom explored.”

Alix said the portrayal of a family in “Mrs.” is what will ultimately appeal to the viewers.

“The film isn’t very dramatic but you feel the dilemma of characters. Their small moments are what is important to me,” he said.

The Sinag Maynila Film Festival will run from April 21-26 at SM Megamall, SM Aura Premier, SM North Edsa, SM Mall Of Asia and SM Manila.

READ: ‘Diverse’ 2nd Sinag Maynila dawns this April

The other full-length features in competition are  “T.P.O.” by Joselito Altarejos, “Dyamper” by Mes de Guzman, “Expressway” by Ato Baustista, and “Lila” by Gino Santos.

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