The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Actor-politician’s Alfred Vargas’ enterprising spirit is on the roll anew.
After producing “Supremo,” “Tagpuan” etc., Alfred is ready to bankroll on a very gigantic big screen project which has a casting coup.
“Pieta” which is a new screen version of the visual arts adaptation of the religious narrative of the sorrowful Virgin Mary clasping in her arms bloodied son Jesus Christ painted by Michelangelo.
Many have been translated to film, foreign and local, about the poignant image including Carlo J. Caparas’ take twos on the haunting drama which starred Ace Vergel and Vivian Velez in 1983 and a remake of the same subject with Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., again with Vivian in 1984.
This time, it’s Adolf Alix, Jr. at the helm with a major cast, namely Alfred, Nora Aunor, Gina Alajar, Jaclyn Jose, Dan Alvao, Bembol Roco, Ina Raymundo, among others.
Adolf—who has described his actors’ past indelible performances—Bembol in “Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag,” Alfred in “Supremo” and Dan in “Bagong Hari”—is excited to put together these actors in one screen.
It’s the comeback as well of the female titans in the acting arena.
Imagine pitting Nora against Gina and Jaclyn who have been hailed as best actresses the Philippine cinema has ever produced.
“After Anita, she’ll be Rebecca in PIETA as we start filming this week (as of press time, last week). Our fifth collaboration. A lot of new grounds to break for this new project. Thank you Ate Guy,” noted Adolf in his social media posts.
Incidentally, Nora’s titular film “Kontrabida” which won the Best Asian Film in the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (Netpac) at the 2022 Hanoi International Film Festival last November will be released, Alix, Jr. informed, this year.
In directing four cinematic icons namely Nora in many of her award-winning films like “Bona”, Gina in “Bayan Ko” and Jaclyn in “Ma’Rosa,” Adolf argued: “Looking forward to their scenes in ‘Pieta.’ Like wine, they can only get better through time,” said the prizewinning helmer.
According to Adolf, “Pieta” is a cautionary tale of a mother and son searching for the truth where Aunor plays Rebecca who meets her son who just got out of prison after 25 years.
Isaac, a man trying to reconcile his past is portrayed by Alfred.
Alajar, Roco, Alvaro and Jose play pivotal roles in this project of the Alternative Vision Cinema and Noble Wolf companies.
The film is written by Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature winner Jerry B. Gacio.
Meanwhile, Vilma Santos has signified her intention to act with her archrival Nora in a movie provided it is a very ideal material for their acting duel.