After helming socially relevant films Dukot and Sigwa, Joel Lamangan is now busy directing his latest indie film titled Deadline.
Direk Joel and screenplay writer Boni Ilagan collaborated for this political thriller about media killings and warlordism in the Philippines.
"Warlord" is defined as a military commander exercising civil power by force, usually in a limited area (Merriam-Webster).
In the Philippines, a warlord refers to a powerful political person who maintains control over a certain province through a heavily-armed private army.
Direk Joel plans to use live sound so they can capture the emotions of the stars during the scene instead of dubbing their voices at a later date.
He also plans to hire a vocal coach to help the actors who will use the Maguindanao dialect for some of their lines.
THE STARS. The lead stars of the film had their first shooting day yesterday, January 6. Deadline is scheduled to be released during the first quarter of 2011.
The film features two pairs of journalists: the first pair is based in Manila while the other pair resides in Mindanao.
Lovi Poe is cast as Greta Manarang while TJ Trinidad plays Ross Rivera, the members of the press based in Manila. They both want to find out who ordered the killing of reporter Henry Rosales (to be portrayed by Luis Alandy), who happens to be the fiancé of Greta.
Allen Dizon and Ina Feleo will portray the Mindanao-based writers Azad Zinan and Claire Pasilan, respectively.
THE MASTERMIND. Tirso Cruz III plays the politician who is the mastermind behind the massacre of journalists.
"I will create a Gov. Muntazir Ghazi," promised Tirso in an interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
"His character thinks he is justified. He makes sure that what he does serves him."
The award-winning actor believes that making Deadline is his way of giving back to society.
"This is our way of contributing to society, reminding people and trying to record and point out criminal incidents na dapat nating labanan.
"When I think about it, this is for my children and the coming generation. I don't want them to fall prey into these things. It can serve as an awakening for other people."
INSPIRED BY AMPATUAN MASSACRE? Boni Ilagan pointed out the timeliness of Deadline because it will be released a few months after the first anniversary of the Ampatuan massacre.
