The official trailer of Viva’s “Martyr or Murderer” has been earning raves on social media the past few days.
It was as expected.
Delving into the shared life of two of the most popular figures in Philippine politics, Ninoy Aquino and Ferdinand Marcos, it is geared towards igniting fervour, particularly among keen devotees of the now long dead rivals.
Creator Darryl Yap made sure of this.
Near the end of the trailer, the voice of the country’s current president BongBong Marcos could be heard telling his sister Imee: “Dinaya ako ni Leni.”
Leni, of course, as everybody knows, pertains to Leni Robredo, who is identified as affiliated with the Aquinos and PBBM’s main political nemesis.
Asked as to his main impetus inserting such in the teaser, Darryl explained he is simply exercising a self-mandated duty as creative.
“I want to provoke viewers. I want them to react. Kahit ano. Kahit papuri man ito o batikos,” he said.
But he made clear, “I won’t create illusions while at it. I won’t create lies. Mas maganda kasi ang totoo at yun ang ipapalabas namin dito.”
He added, “Mabait na version pa nga yan e.”
“Martyr or Murderer” also follows the story of the Marcoses after they were expelled from Malacañang up until Bongbong’s failed stab at the vice presidency.
Darryl will not clarify the film’s title.
“Kung i-explain ko yan ngayon baka wala nang manood sa pelikula,” he reasoned.
Starring Cesar Monato, Ruffa Gutierrez, Cristine Reyes and Isko Moreno as Ninoy, among others, “Martyr Or Murderer” hits cinemas March 1.
