At the press conference for Martyr or Murderer? on February 9, director Darryl Yap admitted that he wanted to provoke people through his art.
Yap discussed the final scene for his trailer of Martyr or Murderer? which shows the actress Eula Valdes portraying the role of present-day Senator Imee Marcos.
He clarified that while he wanted to provoke his viewers, the heads of Viva only wanted to help the film industry.
“Alam ko po kasing ipapabago ng Viva kaya ginawa kong phone scene, kasi po pag pina-arte ko na ‘yung Bongbong talaga doon mamumulube kami. So ginawa ko munang phone scene. Alam ko po kasi papapalitan eh. So, ‘yun na po ‘yung pinaka-mabait.
“Hindi po talaga ‘yun ‘yung pinapasabi ko, pero nag-usap po kami ni Boss Vic and ni Boss Vincent na you know, they only–ang goal ko talaga is mag-provoke, to Senator Imee to tell the story, the Del Rosario’s want to help the entertainment industry lang, period. They don’t want any intrigues or anything, they just want the movie to do good.
“But you know, as a [very/ bad] person, I always try to magnet controversy because it sells. I’m not putting that line to gather hate, but that’s what it is, but the Marcoses filed electoral protests, so ano po tingin natin ‘yun, nag-file sila ng protest tapos trip-trip lang? Ibig sabihin noon, ‘yun ‘yung feeling nila.
“So ako, I’m just being true to the message, but of course, I’m still [being bounded] by contracts and moral clauses, so I said yes.”
He noted how he wants his art to shock and provoke people, citing that it’s a marketing strategy.
“Well, that’s my art. I always want to shock people, provoke people. Basically, that’s my tactic. I don’t deny it. It’s not something to be ashamed of–that’s a marketing move. I find it a very legitimate aspect of marketing. Well–to shock people and [to] entice them to watch and support the movie industry– is something that I think is noble job, and giving artists a job as well.”
His film, Martyr or Murderer? stars Cesar Montano, Ruffa Gutierrez, Cristine Reyes, Diego Loyzaga, and Ella Cruz.
The film also features a stellar cast with Kyle Velino, Isko Moreno, Giselle Sanchez, Beverly Salviejo, and Elizabeth Oropesa.
Joining the Yap’s second film out of his trilogy are Cindy Miranda, Franki Russell, Marco Gumabao, Jerome Ponce, and Sachzna Laparan.
Martyr or Murderer? opens on March 1, 2023, in cinemas nationwide.
