‘Salvageland’: Simple crime story with a complex moral question
A big moral question is laid out early in Lino Cayetano’s directorial comeback, “Salvageland.”
Now showing in cinemas, the action-thriller follows a father and son in the police force — one world-weary and retiring, the other an idealistic rookie. They get entangled in a crime unfolding in a “salvage land,” a location “perfect” for executions and dumping of dead bodies.
(According to writer Shugo Praico, the idea was partly inspired by an actual place in Quezon City that gained such notoriety decades ago when it was less urbanized.)
What initially looks like a domestic dispute — between Mon Confiado and Cindy Miranda’s characters — quickly escalates into a complex conflict situation involving more people and more dangerous consequences than imagined. The moral dilemmas the lead characters face — and the choices they make in response — put the father and son’s relationship to a test and their lives on the line.
The film uses a “simple,” straightforward narrative to highlight that what seems like a clear choice between right and wrong is often far from simple, especially when the stakes are personal, professional or life-threatening.
“For us, the concept is so interesting — the moral question,” said direk Lino during a talkback session following a special screening at Fishermall.
“If a crime happens but no one is affected and no one knows about it, what would we do? Would we report it or speak up? That’s what the father and son clashed over. For us, it’s fascinating to unpack something that can sometimes be so simple.
“There are so many problems in the world. If you listen to lawyers, politicians, commentators — everything seems complicated. But sometimes, it’s really that simple: Do we speak up or do we just let it be?”
“Salvageland” marks Lino’s return to directing movies after almost two decades. In the intervening years, he focused on politics, including serving as the mayor of Taguig City during the height of the pandemic, aside from producing films under Rein Entertainment, the production outfit he founded with Shugo in 2017.
There’s no denying that his political experience has added nuance to his filmmaking, especially when exploring themes he has personally witnessed or experienced during his time as a government official.
“Yung konting karanasan namin sa pulitika, parang lumawak lang nang konti yung perspektibo na hindi usually black and white, merong gray (Our little experience in politics just slightly broadened our perspective, that it’s not usually black and white; there’s gray).
“That doesn’t give us a reason to do wrong. It just means that sometimes, we need to examine more carefully what is truly right or wrong.”
Without giving away spoilers, direk Lino noted that the choices made by Richard’s character as a father and as a policeman could be up for debate, depending on the viewer.
“And maybe that’s the perspective because I’m sure we made many decisions during the pandemic that, in some cases, were literally a matter of life and death.”
Also noteworthy is how “Salvageland,” drawing from Western noir influences, employs wide shots of desolate lahar landscapes as metaphor for how one’s environment likewise shapes personal decisions.
Relating this to the film, Lino said, “I think the characters of Elijah and Goma (Richard) are both good people. But the world around them is very bad. Somewhere along the way, (Richard’s character) made a decision…”
These are the “blessings of cinema,” went on the filmmaker, to be able to contextualize and discuss “love, life, the good, the bad, the moral and immoral.”
“Because when I watch TV, I no longer understand who the hero is and who the villain is.
“Sometimes, I no longer understand what I should think. But sometimes, here, we are given context for simple things — what is right or wrong.
“What should we expect to be taught by our parents? What should we be teaching our children? So, to answer that, in my view, the film sheds a little light on what things are truly important.”
Meanwhile, direk Lino is very grateful that Richard made the decision to pick “Salvageland” as his comeback vehicle after being away from the acting scene due to his own career in public service. He said he found time to shoot the film to step away from the “chaos” at Congress.
“Richard Gomez is made for cinema… That opening scene with him holding a gun. The ending where he looks back because he doesn’t know what’s happening with his child. He’s deciding whether to leave the target, go to his child or complete his mission,” said his director.
“I really think Richard Gomez is a gift to us, and I hope he continues to make movies. He’s talented in so many ways… He’s even going to the SEA Games next week to compete. Of everything Cong. Goma does, I hope he does more movies.”
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