Old-timer outfit back with war-on-drugs film

MANILA, Philippines — A movie about the much-debated war on drugs is officially serving as re-launch pad for a local film outfit that last produced a movie back in the mid-‘90s.

Bell Films, the reactivated film production arm of Universal Records Philippines (UR), is now crafting a project mirroring the prevailing social milieu in the country. The movie, titled Kontradiksyon, will star Jake Cuenca, Kris Bernal, John Estrada, Paolo Paraiso, Elizabeth Oropesa, Dulce, Katrina Halili, among other familiar names, in the local movie circle today.

The said outfit, which boasts of a track record dating back to the ‘60s and including a Vilma Santos-starrer (Twin Fists for Justice), was re-launched for new-generation moviegoers last June 30 at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It was a well-attended spectacle presented as a star-studded concert dubbed The Next Attraction, which featured artists like Gloc-9, Christian Bautista, Julie Anne San Jose and new rap sensation Shanti Dope. 

According to company president Dr. James Dy, the re-launch was timed exactly two years on the same day Pres. Rody Duterte, the main man in the government’s war-on-drugs thrust, was ushered to Malacañang.

“Our country is at a crossroads and faced with a massive drug problem. Ang pelikulang ito ay handog namin para magbigay liwanag sa isang bansang humaharap ngayon sa maraming kontradiksyon,” stressed Cuenca about the movie being helmed by Palanca Award winner Njel de Mesa.

Kontradiksyon is actually a word play on kontra and adiksyon. Njel told The STAR that the film has two lead characters, one an agent (Jake) whose family was violated by drug addicts, the other a breadwinner (Kris) who is curiously a drug addict, too. Both exist as opposing forces with separate personal issues to settle. He informed, “We want to present some solutions to the drug war issue that has divided the county. We hope people to understand its roots and embrace peace by collaboration and unification. We don’t tolerate trigger-happy people while at the same time we campaign that we do not become a narco country.”

Julie Anne San Jose performs an original she wrote

Known around certain circles (including songwriting members of FILSCAP) as a man with command and a remarkable character himself, Njel posed the question directed at opposing sides of the war-on-drugs talk, “Can we agree to disagree without being disagreeable to each other?”

The film, with a soundtrack naturally powered by UR acts, is expected to be shown in cinema theaters later this year. 

At the same event, Freddie Aguilar performed live — with the guitar and distinctive voice — his classics Magdalena, Anak, and Ipaglalaban Ko, in the version highlighting his support for Pres. Duterte.

Vina Morales opened the show with her rendition of modern classics Eye of the Tiger and I Will Always Love You, with Gab Valenciano doing some snappy dance moves. 

Kris, who came on stage along with some key members of the cast, noted, “It’s a dream come true to be part of this project because I like to be challenged. My role is challenging because I have to show different kinds of emotions at times in just one stretch.”

Back in the ‘90s, Bell Films produced two movies with the Universal Motion Dancers and loveteam of the period Claudine Barretto and Wowie de Guzman called Sige... Ihataw Mo and Ibigay Mo Ng Todong-todo. 

With Kontradiksyon, the movie house hopes to recapture its old glory by “entering the digital age of quality and relevant Filipino films.”