MANILA, Philippines — After getting honors in Cannes, Berlin and Venice, Filipino director Brillante Mendoza’s new film, “Alpha: The Right To Kill,” will be joining the prestigious San Sebastian International Film Festival, which will run on September 21 to 29 in Donostia-San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain.
“Masaya ko na nasali tayo sa San Sebastian International Film Festival, so it’s an honor not only for me but of course, for our country. The mere fact na ma-invite ‘yung film mo na mag-compete o maipalabas sa isang international film festival, malaking karangalan na ‘yun,” he said during the movie’s recent press conference at the Director’s Club in SM Megamall.
Written by Troy Espiritu, “Alpha: The Right to Kill” is set against the backdrop of the Philippine government’s crackdown on illegal drugs. A SWAT-led police force launches an operation to arrest Abel, one of the biggest drug lords in Manila.
“Ito ngayon napapanahon na talaga siya. Present time, as it happens now. Ito ang nangyayari sa ating kapaligiran. Hindi naman lahat ay gobyerno, hindi naman tayo ganoon gumawa ng pelikula, ang pinapakita natin, ‘yung kwentong nangyayari sa kapaligiran,” the director clarified.
Mendoza also announced that “Alpha: The Right To Kill” has Memento as distributor, so it will be shown in different countries besides the Philippines.
“Yung ‘Alpha’ hindi lang siya magcocompete sa mga festival. Ang pinaka-importante meron kaming distributor. Ibig sabihin maipapalabas ang ‘Alpha’ sa iba’t ibang territories all over the world,” he declared.