Patience pays off for Sari Lluch Dalena

DALENA. Greatest fulfillment.

We sat with 2011 Cinema One Originals Best Director, Sari Lluch Dalena, during a screening of Best Picture winner, “Ka Oryang,” at Shangri-La mall. Sari’s other movies include “Memories of Forgotten” and “Rigodon.”

She shares, “I’ve been dying to make ‘Ka Oryang,’ so getting the grant was a dream come true. Getting recognized is just a bonus—what matters more is the opportunity to make a film again. I hope I don’t have to wait for another six years to make my next project.”

“Ka Oryang” follows a woman’s journey to activism during the First Quarter Storm. Initially, she’s just an observer, then she becomes a victim of military brutality. Dalena explains, “I wanted to show what really happened during martial law.”

Collaborator

The ensemble includes Ama Quiambao, Kalila Aguilos, Angeli Bayani and Che Ramos. Husband Keith Sicat cowrote and edited the film. Dalena shares,  “Keith is a good collaborator—he checks and balances me. He reminds me to avoid being predictable and to communicate a universal message.”

What was her inspiration in making the film? She replies, “When I was growing up, my dad (Danilo Dalena) was drawing political cartoons, and my mom’s (Julie Lluch) circle of friends was made up of political detainees—a fascinating breed! I learned a lot from them.”

Her greatest fulfillment was her parents’ reaction: “They found the film beautiful. If my dad doesn’t like something, derecho n’yang sasabihin na pangit. But,  when he saw it, he embraced me and said, ‘Maganda s’ya.’ That was wonderful!”

This year’s entries will be screened at UP Film Center on Nov. 29-Dec. 3.