DIRECTOR JOEL LAMANGAN is definitely the busiest filmmaker of the pandemic.
Others might have no projects but he continues to helm one movie after another. His “Moonlight Butterfly” and “Island of Desire” have just been shown on Vivamax and now, he has another new movie coming up, “Biyak”.
What’s the movie all about?
“It’s the story of two sisters na nagkahiwalay at lumaking magkaiba ang kapalaran,” he says.
“We are introducing two new actresses playing their first lead roles in ‘Biyak’. Si Angelica Cervantes, pinaampon when she was a child. Ang umampon sa kanya, sina Melissa Mendez at Jim Pebanco, na mga may kaya sa buhay.”
And who’s the other actress?
“Si Quinn Carillo, who also co-wrote the script with Troy Espiritu. Lumaki siya sa mother nila, si Maureen Mauricio.
"Laki siya sa hirap at naging durugista, but she is street smart and later on, she turned into a police asset who helps the cops in apprehending drug traffickers.”
Direk Joel says “Biyak” touches on child abuse.
“Kasi si Angelica rito, kahit mayaman sila, hindi siya maligaya kasi she’s being sexually abused by her foster father. So hinanap niya ang biological mother niya at natagpuan niya, so nag-meet sila ng long lost sister niyang si Quinn.”
Why is the title “Biyak”?
“Hindi malaswa ang kahulugan nito sa movie ha, kaya huwag kayong ano. ‘Biyak’ here refers to the commission or percentage na nakukuha ni Quinn as a police asset sa bawat project na hawakan niya. Kung may ginawa silang project, humihingi siya ng cut or biyak.”
How is it directing newcomers like Angelica and Quinn in “Biyak”?
“Aba, pareho silang may promise, may potential. At natutuwa ako na nakakatuklas tayo ng bagong talents sa industriya.
"As far as their performances are concerned, I would say they deliver satisfactorily.
"Ako, I’m really inspired to direct newcomers and help them have a good start in their acting careers. Yung leading man dito ni Angelica, si Vance Larena, baguhan din and he’s also very good.”
Has he himself ever been a victim of sexual abuse?
“Victim of sexual abuse? Ako? Never! Hindi ko naranasan. Walang magkakalakas ng loob na abusuhin ako kasi, sa umpisa pa lang, tiyak na papalag na ako.
"Wala namang mang-aabuso sa akin dahil hindi rin naman ako nang-aabuso. So wala pa akong anumang karanasan sa ganyan.”
