Davao-made documentary to screen in cinemas nationwide this August

A documentary film, as compared to a narrative film, has its own charm and appeal. It lies in the blend of present and archival footage as well as in the interplay of thoughts shared generously by the interviewees.

Part of the engagement, too, is making sense of the facts and the answers coming across from the latter.

And one docu film that will be screened on Aug. 13 in local cinemas, with a premiere night on Aug. 8, is “Sa Likod ng Tsapa” (“Beneath the Badge), which revolves around particular aspects of the life and times of Col. Hansel Marantan.

From the looks of it, “Sa Likod ng Tsapa” carries qualities of drama and action to further keep the viewers engaged.

The filmmaker is Editha Caduaya, a journalist and publisher of Newsline Philippines, a news website and production company. She also wears the hats of the producer and screenwriter.

Distributed by Solar Pictures, “Sa Likod ng Tsapa” is produced by POP Moviehouse and Newsline Philippines.

“This movie is (produced) in Davao… The production crew is 100 percent (from) Davao. We traveled from Mindanao to Visayas to Luzon,” said Editha about “Sa Likod ng Tsapa,” a welcome addition to the evolving and thriving film industry from the regions, in a recent press conference. It also displays the geographical extent the people behind the docudrama navigated to tell a gripping and compelling story and to validate the narratives.

Following her train of thought, the inspiration or germ of the idea of Editha to pursue the eventual documentary began when police officer Hansel went to Davao to handle a plight wherein the religious and the political intersected, as one may describe it.

Given the nature of their professions, Editha and Hansel crossed paths, and she got curious about the latter as a subject, including his bravery as a subject matter.

She discovered interesting bits and pieces that could be a topic for Newsline Philippines to share with its readers and audience.

“I was, like, doing a draft for a documentary for Newsline Philippines,” said Editha, “Hindi siya movie actually (the thought of making a docu film never crossed my mind yet at that time).”

While she studied Hansel’s story and related narratives, said the filmmaker, she found his previous works. It shows the complexity of fulfilling the calling of a police officer and the work, which encompasses serving search warrants, filing cases, carrying out police operations and leading a task force.

According to a piece of information given to this paper, “Sa Likod ng Tsapa” will focus “on six major operations of the PNP, most of which were sanctioned by the Office of the President to neutralize criminal elements and threats to national security.”

Since her interest was piqued by the subject, Editha talked to some people and discovered who Hansel is as a man in uniform.

It’s safe to say that Editha knew then that she had a worth-telling story that could resonate with everyone. The platform for it is documentary film, which usually poses a question and provides viewers different voices and perspectives to find an answer.

The film’s publicity team said that it “seeks to spark meaningful conversations on justice, loyalty, accountability, and the human face of law enforcement, and the unseen burdens behind the badge.”

The initial documentary, not the docu film, could also be aired on regional cable channels, added Editha.

“Nakita ko naman yung sincerity (I saw the sincerity) of Ms. Edith na to entrust one’s story,” said Hansel. “The person is passionate enough, aggressive enough to bring out the best in you, the truth in you. That’s why it’s TBR. TBR means Truth, Betrayal and Redemption.”

The police officer was referring to a catchphrase on the film poster.

“So, I think makakaya naman niya siguro (she could do it). When she started writing, makulit talaga siya (she was persistent and determined). She’s a journalist. I think that’s one of the qualifications of a journalist. Even at unholy hour, like, 2 a.m., 3 a.m., tawag yan, diba ganito, ganito yun? (she would call up and ask about this or that),” Hansel gave everyone a sneak peek into the early development of the documentary story. “‘Pasensya ka na, I have to’ (She would tell me, ‘I’m sorry and please bear with me, I have to write.’). Kapag nakuha pala niya yung peak nung writing (when she had that momentum to write, she couldn’t stop it)… Sabi ko, sige, isulat mo lang nang isulat. She’s right when she said that it was intended for the documentary only. Never did I know na papunta na pala sa documentary the movie.”

The narrative on the triumph of a human spirit commences on Aug. 13 in cinemas nationwide.