Pinasok na rin ng award-winning journalist na si Arlyn dela Cruz ang pagdidirek ng pelikula. Her first directorial job is an indie film entitled “Maratabat” under Blank Pages Production.
And what makes it an unforgettable experience for Arlyn ay dahil napili ang “Maratabat” as one of the “salang-sala” sa five entries ng New Wave Section ng Metro Manila Film Festival this year.
Honored and thankful syempre si Direk Arlyn for having been chosen as one of the entries sa MMFF New Wave section. Sulit na sulit daw ang effort and money na ibinuhos niya sa paggawa ng “Maratabat”.
“Sana magustuhan nila. Ako, syempre, parang mahirap kasing sabihin na natutuwa ka pero it’s how I wanted it to be. It’s a very violent film,” lahad ni Direk Arlyn.
Nakakabilib si Direk Arlyn kasi for a female director, isang violent film agad ang tinira niya.
“Hindi kasi political-drama siya, e. Tapos, I’m not new to violence in the sense that I’ve covered a lot of violent incidents in covering news before kaya ganoon, may connection,” aniya.
Matagal na raw niyang balak mag-direk. It’s a passion for her kaya lang naging busy siya as a journalist. Proud siya sa kanyang film but she’s not expecting na hahakot ng award ang “Maratabat.”
Pero proud na proud siya sa kanyang mga artista sa movie at happy si Direk dahil very professional silang lahat. Kabilang diyan sina Elizabeth Oropesa, Ping Medina, Kristoffer King, Richard Quan, Shry Valdez and Julio Diaz.
Ngayon pa lang ay may niluluto na si Direk Arlyn for her second film and it’s about the story of Philippine Marines naman. Ang title ng movie is “Mandirigma” kung saan ang bida ay si Derek Ramsay.
Pumayag daw si Derek for a minimal talent fee kasi for “La Patria.” “I’m just quoting him, this is for la patria, sabi niya. For the nation daw, for the country.”
Mapapanood ang limang entries ng MMFF New Wave section sa Glorietta 4 at SM Megamall mula Dec. 17 to 24.
Si Direk Arlyn ay kolumnista rin ng Bandera na may titulong Off Cam na mababasa tuwing Lunes.