Circa pays tribute to Adolf’s film muse

MANILA, Philippines – “It’s different but it seems like my continuing tribute to Anita Linda,” said director Adolf Alix Jr. of Circa: One Hundred Years of Memories, an official entry to this year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), which runs from Sept. 13 to 19 in select theaters nationwide, during an interview with The STAR.

The veteran actress was first seen in Adolf’s Adela as a radio star and then in Presa as a former celebrity-turned-inmate. In Circa, one of the movies to be shown in the centennial year of Philippine cinema, Anita plays a once celebrated movie producer and she seems to be Adolf’s film muse, who, according to the director, is perhaps “the oldest working Filipino actor.” She deserves the tribute that Adolf has given her. He spoke about this in the media call for Circa.
“When I did Adela in 2008, I thought of making three films, a trilogy, for her na tumatalakay po sa industriya (that tackled the film industry),” he said. “(Adela) is about a radio star, na nawalan ng trabaho (who became jobless). In 2011, we did Presa, mga babae silang nakakulong sa correctional (it’s about women in a correctional facility). Tita Anita played the role of a former actress, who is imprisoned and waits for a presidential clemency, kasi birthday ng presidente. (At that time), sabi ko kay Tita (Anita) na ‘Gawa pa tayo ng isa (pang movie), maghanap lang po tayo ng tamang timing,’ at naikuwento ko sa kanya yung Circa (I told her that we would do another one and wait for the right time for it. Then I shared with her the story of Circa).”

What also propelled him to pursue the story about a movie producer was to capture the actress’ recollection of the local filmmaking in its early years.

Director Adolf Alix Jr.: Circa is my continuing tribute to Anita Linda.

“Everytime na natatapos yung shooting or in-between (takes), nagkukwento siya ng experiences niya sa paggawa ng pelikula noong araw, simula kay (direk) Gerry de Leon hanggang kay direk Lino Brocka at lahat nang nakatrabaho niya (At the end of shoots or in-between takes, she would share her experiences in doing films with the likes of [National Artists] Gerry de Leon and Lino Brocka and other [creative people]),” said Adolf. “Sabi ko kay tita gusto kong gawan siya ng pelikula (at) dun nagsimula ang kwento ng Circa (I told her that I wanted to direct her in a movie and that’s how Circa started).”

When Adolf and his team presented Circa to the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum, they received a grant for the movie. Then, Adolf called up the actors who would form the movie cast and they all agreed. Circa stars Laurice Guillen, Gina Alajar, Jaclyn Jose, Ricky Davao, Elizabeth Oropesa and Enchong Dee (as the filmmaker grandson). Lending support are Eddie Garcia, Rustica Carpio, Perla Bautista, Liza Lorena, Rosanna Roces, Menggie Cobarrubias, Alessandra de Rossi and Alan Paule.

Asked about the nostalgia (the happy and sad memories) the title evokes, Adolf answered by giving details on the actress’ character named Doña Atang. “It’s about her, she (was) a producer in the past. Now that she is 100 years old and celebrating her birthday, her wish is to be reunited with the people — like actors and people behind the camera — she has worked with.” Doña Atang, in a way, symbolizes Philippine cinema and the public is given the lens to see how movies were done in its infancy. Circa also pays tribute to the local movie industry.

“If I like the story, dun lagi ako mag-re-respond, if I like the material and tama naman yung circumstance na gawin (if the circumstance/situation is right, I will do it),” said Adolf of his considerations in greenlighting projects.

On film narratives that he would like to direct, Adolf shared, “Sometimes, the world that I don’t know (or I am not aware of) like the one in the movie kasi hindi pa ako pinapanganak nung time na yon (I wasn’t born yet at that time). So I’m curious about how they [the filmmakers of the previous era] do films and their philosophies... So when you finish the film, you will learn something from it.”

What are his takeaways from working with Circa’s star-studded ensemble or being in the company of actors?

“I think how they value their work,” Adolf replied. “You see how dedicated they (were) during the shoot, and they have a different kind of discipline (as far as their craft is concerned) I guess.”

Adolf was not just in charge of the mise-en-scéne, he also wrote the film’s screenplay. “It depends (if I will direct the movie and write the screenplay or I will just direct and then I will ask someone to write the screenplay),” he said. “There are cases (instances when) I can’t (because) I’m not too familiar (with the story) and I’m (not) comfortable (na) gawin o sulatin, then I ask (someone to do it).”

For Circa, he did research on the story milieu and based it on real accounts, you know social facts.

“You are familiar with the material, you can do kung ano ang pwede at hindi pwede,” said Adolf of him being both Circa’s director and screenwriter. “But at the end of it, mas, kumbaga, you’re just at home.”

Given his body of work on the big screen from Donsol to Circa (as well as on the small screen), Adolf has come a long way and can handle narratives of cultural importance or with commercial appeal.