MetroVanIndependent.com
July 2015
15
Entertainment
Anatomy of a superstar and
a multi awarded director
PINOY MIXX
By Rene Orobia Durian
Now that the dust has settled after
the brouhaha as to why superstar Nora
Aunor did not take the economy flight to
the recently held Cannes Film Festival, it’s
time to disclose some points as to what
really happened.
The film “Taklub” of multi-awarded
director Brillante Mendoza made it to
this year’s Cannes Film Festival at the Un
Certain Regard section.
The lead star of the film is no less than
the country’s one and only superstar, Nora
Aunor. The Mendoza and Aunor tandem
has become the team to watch after the
phenomenal success of “Thy Womb” that
earned them both numerous awards in the
world cinema.
When “Taklub” made it in Cannes,
many film enthusiasts were expecting that
La Aunor would do a celebrated comeback
to Cannes after almost three decades when
her film “Bona” was screened and she was
not there to experience Cannes.
So, when La Aunor did not board the
plane because she was booked in the
economy flight, tongues began to wag
and supporters started to dish out their
judgment in support to the superstar.
Many were saying that she deserved to
be given a first class treatment. That she
should be given the priority because she
is the lead actress in the film. That Brillante
owed her the victory in “Thy Womb”. And
some people started to bash Brillante in
social media.
What is a superstar?
A superstar is absolutely a celebrity. As
a movie star like Nora Aunor for almost over
four decades and multi awarded at that,
she surely ought to be treated as such – a
star.
Since La Aunor became the country’s
one and only superstar, all the attention
and adulation was given to her.
But, what in return did she give to
her adoring fans in return? Everything.
She gave up her privacy, time, energy,
to some extent her resources and talent.
She earned for the country several acting
awards.
But, most of all she bared her soul every
time she delineates a role. She exposed her
innermost thoughts and feelings for every
song that she rendered. All these for four
decades almost nothing was left except
a little dignity perhaps that she kept to
herself.
This is what every performer has to
go through. And the idea that you have
shared a part of yourself and the audience
was entertained at the expense of your
entire self, what does an entertainer get?
Applause. An approval that oh yes, they
love you at that one moment in time.
Now, given all that idea of baring and
giving one’s self for your audience’s delight
and amusement, isn’t it just right that a star
would ask for something that is due to her
– a first class treatment? Is it demanding
or deserving? Or just playing diva?
What is a multi-awarded director?
It is common knowledge in the local
and world cinema that Brillante Mendoza
is a multi-awarded filmmaker.
Brillante’s name shines as brightly like a
gem when alternative cinema is the subject
matter. His films have collected numerous
awards both locally and internationally.
As a “veteran” in international film
festivals, Brillante knew the intricacies
involved in producing a film and being
nominated in these festivals.
In spite of the roomful of trophies he
earned for his films, most of them have
not given him proper monetary reward.
They are mere physical remembrances of
the honor and prestige for his works as a
filmmaker.
In world film festivals, their priorities are
the filmmakers. This is the reality especially
in Europe. Not that they do not care for
the actors, it’s just that they give more
importance to the filmmakers.
This is the reverse in other countries like
America where producers spend so much
money to create stars that have become
box office attraction. This mindset is what
we inherited from Hollywood.
When the film “Taklub” made it to the
Un Certain Regard section in Cannes,
Brillante was hesitant to go because he
knew the financial considerations involved.
Bringing Nora Aunor to Cannes was
Brillante’s priority. She is the lead actress
and a superstar. But, the costs involved
would be another story.
So, even if it is an added task as the
production outfit that produced the film,
he has to raise the money to defray the
expenses.
When a local press conference was
held for the film, La Aunor was embroiled
in an issue that she expressed her thoughts
critical to the Aquino administration.
Director Birllante Mendo 鄁