DIRECTOR JOEL LAMANGAN’S engaging family drama, “Ang Ina Mo (Your Mother)”, is his second movie intended for the coming December Metro-Manila Filmfest (the first is “Lola Magdalena” which we have already reviewed).
This is his homage to his mentor Lino Brocka’s classic 1976 drama classic shown in the Cannes Filmfest, “Insiang”. “Insiang” starred Mona Lisa and Hilda Koronel who both won acting awards for their performance as a warring mother and daughter.
“Ang Ina Mo” now stars Lotlot de Leon as the mom and Charlie Dizon as the daughter. Both of them have also won acting awards. Lotlot for “On the Job, the Missing 8” and Charlie for “Fan Girl”. Direk Joel says he is very much satisfied by their lead performances in the movie.
And it’s true. Both Lotlot and Charlie give superlative portrayals as Bella and Donna. Lotlot as Bella has been a widow for 14 years and she has raised Charlie as Donna all by herself, working as a laundrywoman.
But now, they’re at odds after Bella got herself a younger lover, Xander (Rico Barrera), who Donna resents because he’s a jobless bum and a “palamunin”.
In contrast, Donna's boyfriend, Jameson Blake, is a very responsible, educated and focused young man.
This is about the only similarity that “Ang Ina Mo” has with “Insiang”. From here, “Ang Ina Mo” traverses a divergent path that is totally different from “Insiang”.
The story definitely becomes more complicated and Donna gets to face a lot more problems. But in the end, all the complications are ironed out for a very commercial feel good film with the usual happy ending.
We ask Direk Joel which of his two entries is nearer to heart and which would he wish to be accepted as an official entry in the MMFF this December?
“Naku, ayokong sagutin yan,” he says. “Pareho silang malapit sa puso ko.
"Puede namang mag-qualify sila pareho. Nangyari na yan sa movies ko before.
"Tatlo sa kanila ang nag-qualify as official entries in 2004. Una ‘Mano Po III: My Love’ that won best picture and best actor and best actress awards for Christopher de Leon and Vilma Santos.
"Sumunod yung ‘Aishite Imasu 1941’ that won best supporting actor awards for Dennis Trillo.
"Last yung comedy na ‘So Happy Together’ with Kris Aquino and Eric Quizon that made a lot of money at the box office.”
If “Lola Magdalena” and “Ang Ina Mo” will both be lucky and qualify in the MMFF this December, for sure, the actresses in these two movies will get acting nominations as they’re both superbly acted.
