DIRECTORIAL COMEBACK – There are three directors movie people are hoping will stage a comeback: Mike de Leon, Laurice Guillen, and Carlitos Siguion Reyna.
Although Laurice and Carlitos are visible, they are now more identified with television and theater, respectively. Of course, Laurice remains the grand dame of Cinemalaya.
The usually reclusive Mike is now becoming more “accessible” to media and the public. It started with the restoration of “Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” and the release of its commemorative magazine. “Portrait” was produced by Mike’s father, Atty. Manny de Leon.
All three directors have outstanding filmography.
•
MIKE – Let’s start with Mike de Leon, who started his directorial career in the mid-’70s with “Itim.” It was followed by such classics as “Kisapmata,” “Batch ’81,” “Kakaba Ka Ba?,” “Bayaning 3rd World.”
“Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising” may not be a classic, but it’s always a pleasure to watch it… again and again.
Read that Mike might direct rarely next year a political thriller. Hopefully, hopefully. His directorial touch is sorely missed.
•
LAURICE – Think of “Salome,” “Tanging Yaman,” “Init sa Magdamag,” and “Kasal.” Cinematic gems all.
It’s high time Laurice Guillen made a directorial comeback and joined other woman directors like Olive Lamasan, Rory Quintos, Joyce Bernal, Antoinette Jadaone, Cathy Molina Garcia, Mae Cruz.
Come to think of it, her “Santa Santita” and “American Adobo” are also very fine films.
•
CARLITOS – His last film was Cinemalaya’s “Hari ng Tondo,” which was fine. But then moviegoers miss the likes of “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit,” “Saan Ka Man Naroroon,” and “Ikaw Pa Lang and Minahal.” They are Carlitos Siguion Reyna’s most romantic movies, box-office hits, too.
He also came up with such good films as “Azucena,” “Inagaw Mo Na ang Lahat sa Akin,” “Tatlo,” “Abot Kamay and Pangarap,” “Misis Mo, Misis Ko.”
Will 2017 be the comeback year of Carlitos… on the big screen, that is?