Brillante Mendoza helms most ‘accessible’ film to date

MENDOZA. Directs Isabelle Huppert in “Captive.”

We went to see Brillante Mendoza’s “Captive” early this week. The filmmaker shares, “I do my films the indie way—and I’m still enjoying it! Hindi ko nararamdaman ang stress at pagod. Tanggap ko na ang mga aberya that come with doing independent films.”

What kind of fulfillment does he get? Brillante answers, “Kapag may naaapektuhan akong tao—that’s fulfilling.” The 52-year-old Cannes winner confesses, “I have been criticized by some people, who say, ‘You don’t care about the Filipino audience—you just do your thing para lang sumali sa festivals. Only foreigners appreciate your films, dito sa atin, wala.’

Intention

“That’s a challenge—because that was never my intention. My films are for everyone. For me, awards are just reminders of your responsibility as an artist.”

How does he handle negative reviews? Mendoza replies, “I learn from the constructive ones. At the end of the day, I ask myself, ‘What is my intention as a filmmaker?’ For me, making films is an advocacy!”

He shares that “Captive,” which opens on Sept. 5, is his most “accessible” film: “Hindi ka masyadong mag-iisip ng malalim (laughs). Nakikita mo ‘yung actual na nangyayari—hindi mo na kino-compromise ang facts. It’s antiviolence. It tells the story of the hostages. Hopefully, makikita rin ng audience ang gusto kong sabihin.”

How was it working with Isabelle Huppert? He beams, “Isabelle is a generous and passionate actress. Kung passionate ka sa trabaho, she will match it! She’s not afraid to experiment!”