On November 20, filmmaker Alvin Yapan revealed his goal to create a contemporized version of Florante at Laura.
In an interview for Call Me PAPI, which LionhearTV covered, Yapan discussed that they would produce a modern version of the Philippine Literature-classic with a touch of action sequences.
“Ito pong isang seryosong gagawin ng Feast na kinakabahan ako dahil kasi very ambitious, Florante at Laura. Tsaka gusto ko parang contemporized, kasi ‘yung Florante at Laura kasi may mga kabayo, giyera.
“Siyempre, hindi naman ma-afford ‘yan. So contemporized namin parang romantic, Romeo and Juliet, barilan, action, so instead of digmaan, action.”
He cited previous adaptations of the Pinoy literature.
“First time kasi, na-research ko ‘yung mga past film adaptations ng Florante at Laura ay hindi gumamit ng mga dialogue from Balagtas. Kaya ito, parang Balagtasan, patula talaga.”
He then confirmed that the production of the movie would be in 2024.
“Tapos at the same time, para maka-relate ‘yung mas maraming tao, action siya. Kaya sabi ko baka hindi kaya nitong 2023, kaya baka 2024.”
He also disclosed that he had a cast in mind, with Albie Casiño taking on the titular lead role and Royce Cabrera portraying Aladin.
“Dahil talagang I love the dynamics nitong limang boys na ‘to. Gusto kong Florante, si Albie. Kasi si Florante talaga, tisoyin talaga siya. Tapos ang Aladin ay si Royce. Ang Laura ay si Anya, kasi okay din kasi siya dito.
“Si Albie nakausap ko na tungkol dito, sabi ko Albie ha, ‘yung dialouge. Kasi ‘yung dialouge kasi nito patula.”
He then emphasized the significance of creating a modern version of the story, especially with the growing interest in classic Philippine literature.
“Kaya talagang kinakailangan talaga nito, tapos ‘yung last nitong film adaptation, 1951 pa at hindi pa original–‘yung dialouge hindi pa galing sa Balagtas.
“I think gino-signal ng Feast dahil sa may ano ngayon, Noli ngayon, nagkakaroon rin ng interest ‘yung mga classes.”
As for their tropa-comedy film, Call Me PAPi stars Casiño, Cabrera, Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, and Aaron Concepcion. The cast includes Katya Santos, Irma Adlawan, and Anya Aguilar.
Directed by Yapan and produced by FEAST Foundation and distributed by Viva Films, Call Me PAPI will open in cinemas on December 7.
