MANILA: Acclaimed Filipino director Brillante Mendoza, after competing at the Cannes Film Festival in May with his family drama Ma’ Rosa, revealed he was approached to direct Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address on July 27.
Duterte assumed office on June 30 after a landslide election victory.
“We want to make it very real, very sincere,” Mendoza reportedly said about his plans for the tone of the much-anticipated speech. “We want it to be natural because we want to show how he regularly talks to ordinary people. There will be no embellishment – very straight to the point.”
Mendoza will also produce video presentations that will be shown during Duterte’s speech, reported The National.
“But it’s not a TV show,” he reportedly said. “We will communicate directly to the people. I think that’s how he wants it.” Martin Andanar, the presidential communications secretary, said Duterte has also asked Mendoza for advice on how to help local independent filmmakers, in an attempt to improve the country’s film industry.
“I can only give suggestions,” Mendoza was quoted as saying. “I can share my experiences abroad – how foreign governments take care of their artists.”
Mendoza, 56, is one of the most renowned contemporary Filipino filmmakers. His movies have won awards at international festivals, including the Best Director prize at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival for the crime thriller Kinatay (Butchered).
Jaclyn Jose, the star of Ma’ Rosa, won the Best Actress award at Cannes this year for her performance in Ma’ Rosa, said the news portal.
