Revelations on Bonifacio in Erik Matti-directed biopic

Is there still something about the life of Andres Bonifacio that needs to be discovered? Is there an untold story that we don’t know despite two bio epics that had been done about his life?

Regal Entertainment, Inc. embarks on a big budgeted legacy film project about the life of Filipino revolutionary leader and true patriot Andres Bonifacio.

According to Dondon Monteverde, the movie’s executive producer, filming is set to begin on the first quarter of 2021 and the epic production will be directed by multi-awarded filmmaker Erik Matti.

Monteverde and Matti excitedly said that this latest movie contains new details on the colorful life of the fallen hero.

“We know that his life was one of the most written about and filmed stories of all time, but we promise that in this new movie, the public will learn astounding revelations never before heard about him,” Monteverde said.

For Matti, doing a period piece is a daunting task but he’s very excited to helm his first.

“When we heard the details of Bonifacio’s life that we only heard for the first time, Dondon and I got interested. We’re interested to tell a story that we haven’t heard before.

“We want to tell it not just to be different or to debunk other historical facts we heard about the Katipunan but to also present another side to a story that may not be worthy to change our history in the books we read growing up but to tell a story that will make for a really great movie whether or not it will be debated upon. After all, good movies spark great conversation.

“When Dondon and I were presented the idea of doing another Bonifacio movie, there were several questions we needed to answer before embarking on this ambitious project.

“Are we ready to do this? Are we ready to recreate the 1890s the way it should be imagined?

“Is there anything left to tell about Bonifacio that hasn’t been taught in schools and told in the many Bonifacio movies made?

“Is another Bonifacio movie worth telling? Is it still relevant to the year 2021?

“I am excited to go forward and make my first period movie. I am excited to start imagining the world that was and recreate the lives lived then.

“I had several opportunities to make a period piece but I always found reasons not to do it.

“In a historical piece, especially with a biography of a famous personality that’s heavily documented, it is not just about telling the story right. It’s not a book. It’s a movie.

“And the main challenge is really recreating the time and the setting in order to engage the audience with whatever story you want to present as a filmmaker. The amount of skill and talent required from the filmmakers on a historical piece is equal or even more than that of doing a science fiction.

“And that’s what scared me all these years in doing a period film. I have to be ready to create a world beyond than just imagining it but a world that will ground all historical facts and be able to bring out the kind of life that’s being led during that time that allowed the story to exist.

“Period films are not just about story. It is about transporting the audience to a world that would offer them discoveries of how it was then.

“Now, I think I am ready to face those fears. We are ready to work hard on knowing the facts and be ready to make a piece of cinema that’s worth experiencing without the feeling of being lectured on it.”