DIRECTOR BRILLANTE MENDOZA turns producer in his new Vivamax movie, “Kaliwaan”, directed by his young ward, Dan Palacio, who has earlier helmed two films that Brillante also produced, “Pailalim (Underground)” that won the best new director award at the San Sebastian Filmfest in 2017 and “The Brokers” that was shown in the Tokyo International Filmfest last year.
“Kaliwaan” is about the wages of jealousy and infidelity. It’s understandable for infidelity to trigger jealousy, but it’s unacceptable if jealousy would result in murder. And yet, many are so consumed by this emotion without thinking of its possible evil consequences.
“Kaliwaan” will take viewers on a suspenseful ride with the thrilling story of Monica, Boogie, Raji and Marlon. Monica (AJ Raval) is a seductive and ambitious woman.
She is the girlfriend of Boogie (Vince Rillon), a security guard who is fiercely loyal to her but short tempered.
Despite being in a relationship with Boogie, Monica sleeps with Raji (Juami Gutierrez), a young businessman from an influential Muslim clan.
When Boogie finds out about this, he attacks Raji and knocks him down, rendering him comatose. Monica is a personal witness to Boogie’s crime and she later testifies against him to the police.
Boogie then seeks the help of his Uncle Marlon (Mark Anthony Fernandez), a policeman, for protection.
But as Boogie tries to win Monica back, danger awaits him for Raji's family is now bent on taking revenge on him and putting justice into their own hands, resulting into bloody and violent confrontation.
This is Vince’s first film after winning the best actor award in the Asian Filmfest in Rome for his film “Resbak”, which was directed by Brillante.
“I didn’t have any expectations when we went there,” he says. “I’m just happy na nakarating ako sa Rome at nakapunta kami sa Vatican kasi pangarap ko talaga makapagsimba doon.
"Noong awards night, ang alam ko, si Direk Brillante ang bibigyan talaga ng lifetime achievement award so hindi na ako nagdamit ng formal. Nagulat na lang ako when my name was called at inulit pa ng host ang pagtawag sa akin as best actor.
"I was speechless, hindi ako preparado kaya hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. Nag-thank you na lang ako kay Lord at kay Direk Brillante.
"While we were there, hindi pa nag-sink in sa akin na nanalo ako. Nang nakabalik na lang kami sa Pilipinas, dun ko pa lang na-realize na wow, nanalo nga pala ako.”
Brillante Mendoza is known for creating gritty movies, many of which have made an impact in the international scene, like “Tirador”, “Serbis” (2008), “Kinatay” (2009), and “Captive” (2012).
With “Kaliwaan”, it is guaranteed that he puts his expertise to work once again, this time, through a young filmmaker Dan Palacio. Don’t miss “Kaliwaan”, an exciting blend of sex and violence, when it starts streaming on Vivamax on April 29, 2022.
