Brillante Mendoza gives sports genre a shot
MANILA, Philippines — By sampling his works like Kinatay, Captive, Ma’Rosa and Mindanao, viewers are introduced to his brand of cinema, which may be compared to social realism visual art. Brillante Mendoza, the auteur, has this penchant for presenting social facts or realities and interweaving them in his narratives. It speaks of the director’s stance that film can also educate viewers.
His recent work, Gensan Punch, which is now streaming on HBO GO, carries all of the above characteristics, except for a shift in genre and perhaps for a more personal (individual) focus. However, anything personal is also a reflection of something social.
“The mere fact that it’s a sports genre, definitely it’s a bit parang (like) veering away from the usual dark films that I used to make,” said the Cannes Best Director in a virtual press conference that he and his Japanese actor Shogen recently graced. “I think it’s the choice of narrative that somehow parang nag-differ (from the usual). But in terms of execution and in terms of film aesthetics, I think it’s still the same.”
Yes, his school of thought in filmmaking or artistic approach, called by Brillante as found story in a previous interview, is evident in Gensan Punch. There’s the look of documentary and a bit “subtle” rawness. Beyond this, the HBO Asia Original film offers an engaging story about a fighter with a prosthetic leg.
“We tried to veer away from the usual,” he reiterated. “First of all, our lead protagonist here is handicapped. So, it’s (about) a person with disability. So, that in itself is already veering away from the usual.”
Clearing the ground further, Brillante said that Gensan Punch is not even a film about “empowering the handicapped or empowering the people with disabilities because in the film, from the very start, (the protagonist) is already empowered.”
The first few scenes can attest to it. Nao, the lead character, is determined to make things happen for his dream. That is to become a professional boxer. He goes to the Philippines to train and secure a professional license there after being denied of it in his country. Nao has mustered enough courage to move forward from that hurdle.
Another point of clarification that transpired during the event was the “political connotation” of Gensan Punch.
“Just because it was titled Gensan, they (people) thought that it was a campaign material for Manny Pacquiao, but it’s not,” said Brillante. “If you remember my last film Mindanao, you know, I also named it after the island itself. Here, other than trying to promote our stories and our culture, it’s also (about) the people, and it’s also the place like General Santos, where most of our boxers came from, and we cannot deny the fact, you know, whether we like it or not, Gensan would always be associated with Manny Pacquiao, because that’s where he came from.”
This is the reason why most boxers from around the world are enticed to have their training in Gensan. In Gensan Punch, there’s coach Rudy (played by Ronnie Lazaro) that Nao will be meeting for the first time.
The film pays tribute to the Filipino pugilists and to the place “where most of the great boxers in the Philippines came from,” said Brillante. “But it has nothing to do with the political situation or the political, you know, situation right now of Sen. Manny Pacquiao.”
At the core of Gensan Punch is, again, Nao, played by Shogen, who delivers a convincing portrayal of a professional boxer.
“I’m not and I (just) trained for this role,” said he. “I kept (my boxing) training at a gym.” That was a crucial part of Shogen’s process in getting into his character’s truths. He had to possess the physique and psyche of a boxer. The film shows how committed Shogen was to his Nao.
“He exactly knew what he aimed for,” said Shogen of working with the famed director. “Before the filming, we had the time to talk (about) ourselves. We had the time to build a relationship like believing in each other. Brillante wants something real, something genuine.”
Understanding it was never a walk in the park for the actor, who shared that “there were (a few) scenes that I found to be tough parts. I have faith in him (Brillante). So, I just followed his way and he patiently guided me and taught me. I think that’s how I’ve grown as an actor a lot. This is a life treasure for me, for sure.”
Asked how did HBO get wind of his latest film project, Brillante replied, “HBO got in touch with me when they found out that I was doing a sports genre, a boxing (film). So, they got in touch with me. And I showed them the screener, the initial edit of the film and from there, they found it interesting and that’s how the collaboration started.”
With that, audiences can now watch Gensan Punch and appreciate how Brillante has given the sports genre a shot and with his signature touch.
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