On February 9, director Darryl Yap asserted that his source for Maid in Malacañang and Martyr or Murderer?–is the Marcos Family.
At the press conference for Martyr or Murderer?–Yap noted that he utilized the experience of the Marcos family as a source for his films.
“The reaction of the Marcos family, I don’t find it very delicate, sir. The source of their [reaction] and [their] experiences will always be their experience, and I think having them as the source is the ultimate gesture a storyteller must undertake.”
He then cited the sources he used for other aspects of the film, such as historical data regarding the events during 1986.
“When it comes to the historical parts of the film, it’s like what I’ve said earlier, lahat po ng makikita ninyo mga clips, ng mga interviews and mga speeches na mapapanood ninyo sa pelikula ay nandudun na bago pa man ako isilang. And ang laman ng pelikula, ay reaction ng pamilya Marcos doon sa nangyari ‘yun.”
He then clarified that his films, Maid in Malacañang and Martyr or Murderer? were family-in-crisis films instead of political movies.
“So hindi ko po mabibigyan ng magandang sagot kung ang inaantay ninyo or nila, ay kanino ko kukunin ang validation ng reaction, pakiramdam sa puso, sakit, pag-iyak ng mga Marcos, kung hindi sa mga Marcos lamang.
“That’s why at the very beginning of this press con, when I [was] asked if I’m doing another political movie, I corrected the person immediately, just like what I said in Maid in Malacañang, the trilogy is not a political movie, it’s a family in crisis movie. And I think the best consultant for a family in crisis movie is the family themselves.”
He then noted that he wasn’t bound to consult with the Aquino family regarding the storyline of his latest film. He pointed out that other filmmakers have told their family’s stories.
“Did I consider consulting the Aquinos? They did not pay me to do so. So, I’m not bound to ask them anything– I’m not required to ask their reaction. A lot of Filipinos, for almost three decades– sir, have been telling their stories.
“I don’t think they need a young war-freak director like Darryl Yap to tell their story. I think [a lot] of great directors have told their stories in the best way they can. I’m just here to tell the story of the Marcoses. Whether I’m doing it right or wrong, we’ll find out on March 1, 2023.”
Martyr or Murderer? stars Cesar Montano, Ruffa Gutierrez, Cristine Reyes, Diego Loyzaga, and Ella Cruz.
The film features a stellar cast with Kyle Velino, Isko Moreno, Giselle Sanchez, Beverly Salviejo, and Elizabeth Oropesa.
Joining the Yap’s new film are Cindy Miranda, Franki Russell, Marco Gumabao, Jerome Ponce, and Sachzna Laparan.
Martyr or Murderer? premieres on March 1, 2023, in cinemas nationwide.
