Resbak ni Atom kay Mike de Leon: He is a deeply troubled person, he needs help!

RESBAK NI ATOM KAY MIKE DE LEON: HE IS A DEEPLY TROUBLED PERSON, HE NEEDS HELP!

MATAPANG ang naging buwelta ni Atom Araullo sa mga birada sa kanya ng director na si Mike de Leon kaugnay ng partisipasyon niya sa ginawa nilang movie na “Citizen Jake.”

Pero kinailangan na niyang basagin ang kanyang katahimikan nang sa gayon ay malaman ng publiko ang kanyang panig.

Inilabas niya kahapon sa kanyang Facebook account ang kanyang saloobin. Rason niya sa pagiging tahimik, ayaw niyang maakusahang gumigimik habang palabas sa sinehan ang “Citizen Jake.”

Bago naglitanya, nagpasalamat pa rin ang broadcast journalist dahil naging bahagi siya ng comeback movie ni De Leon at sa suportanng ibinigay ng publiko.

Ikinuwento niya kung paano napunta sa kanya ang role ng journalist sa movie na si Mike Herrera. Atubili siyang tanggapin ito lalo na’t wala naman siyang karanasan sa pag-arte.

Concerned din siya sa magiging feedbacks ng mga manonood.

“Mike was adamant that he wanted a journalist and a non-actor to play the character because of his unique vision for Citizen Jake. I believed in the director, and like others who admire his work, I wanted to see him make another film after some 17 years of retirement at the time. So, I said yes,” sabi ni Atom.

Ibinahagi rin ng broadcast journalist ang naranasan niya habang ginagawa ang pelikula.

“Citizen Jake seems like a love-it-or-hate-it kind of movie. As a co-writer, I sensed that eary on as we strove to interweave various arcs, elements, and layers of meaning into a cogent narrative to fulfil Mike’s vision.

“A lot has been said about how brave the film in tackling its theme, but Mike is so brave in staying loyal to his singular style of storytelling. He never panders to the audience, something which I respect,” saad pa ni Atom.

Ipaglalaban pa rin daw niya ang pelikula at sobrang proud siya na naging bahagi siya nito. Pero diin ni Atom, “Jake Herrera is not Atom Araullo. Although there are similarities, we don’t necessarily share the same politics.”

Aminadong nasaktan siya sa pahayag ni Mike kaugnay ng kanyang style bilang journalist, “Despite everything, I do not wish to besmirch Mike’s reputation the way he did mine.
However, I think it is important to explain that while many were shocked by his recent tirade, I was not.

“It was only the latest in the string of unprovoked, irrational, almost random tantrums that I had to endure during the making of this film, determined as I was to see it through. It had a profound effect on me, and to be honest, made it that much harder to perform my duties in the movie.

“Almost everyone who at one point worked on Citizen Jake knows this, and voluminous texts and emails will wear it out. When others found themselves in Mike’s crosshairs, I tried to lend a sympathetic ear. Perhaps his woeful behaviour continues because he is never held accountable.

“Mike is a deeply troubled person. The kindest thing I can say about him is that he needs help, patience, and understanding as he wrestles with his personal demons.

“But while he has certainly rested the limits of my endurance, I can rest easy knowing that I worked hard, behaved professionally, and I did all to the best of my abilities at the time the film was made.

“Mike’s contribution to the Philippine cinema is unquestionable. I hope he remains productive after Citizen Jake, making more movies that will rouse consciousness, make us uncomfortable, and spur debate. I am still grateful foe the opportunity to have worked on this film, now that I close this chapter of my life,” pagtatapos ni Atom.