Benjamin Alves and TJ Trinidad portrayed Manuel L. Quezon at different ages in ‘Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.’ TBA Studios/ Instagram: @tj_trinidad
MANILA — The final film in the trilogy launched by the popular "Heneral Luna" will mark a genre shift for the series, according to its director.
The historical biopic about former President Manuel L. Quezon will be a comedy, Jerrold Tarog said Wednesday in #KuwentuhanLang, a fundraiser that aims to help film industry workers whose livelihood have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The program, spearheaded by Cinema '76 in collaboration with Lockdown Cinema Club, interviews filmmakers on their body of work through Facebook Live.
The Quezon movie will be the latest in TBA Studios' linked historical films about Philippine heroes, following "Heneral Luna" in 2015 and "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral" in 2018.
Quezon, who figured in the lives of both war heroes, was portrayed by Benjamin Alves and TJ Trinidad at different ages in "Luna" and "Goyo," respectively.
Both actors are reprising the role in the Quezon film, with Tarog explaining that its story will span decades of historical events involving the president.
Tarog, in fact, described the movie's structure as "four short films."
"Lahat iyon, tungkol sa kung paano siya nag-attain ng power. Parang chess game sa kaniya ang politics, e. In fact, marami siyang mga sinabi na, 'You shouldn't take politics too seriously.' Parang nilalaro niya lang 'yung mga tao. Iyon 'yung pinakatema, kung paano niya na-manipulate 'yung sistema to keep himself in power," he said.
Explaining his choice of genre, Tarog went on: "Wala na akong ma-imagine na tono kung 'di comedy, satire, para sa ganoong klaseng pagkukuwento."
Tarog, who has personally been doing the research for the Quezon film, described the project as the "most difficult" he has had to write.
He explained he is currently in the process of writing its storyline, which will then be converted into a screenplay by collaborator Rody Vera.
They yet-titled film will be next in line for production under Tarog's helm, once he finishes the filming of the supehero movie "Darna."
TBA Studios, Heneral Luna, Goyo, Manuel L. Quezon, Jerrold Tarog