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Joel Lamangan: Nora hurt over National Artist snub

Nora Aunor plays a dark character in the Cinemalaya entry Hustisya, directed by Joel Lamangan (Dante Diosina Jr/NPPA IMAGES)

Nora Aunor may not have shown how bad she felt about being rejected as a National Artist for Film. Her much-publicized statement did not contain hurtful words towards a government that deprived her of the well-deserved honor.

Director Joel Lamangan: Nora deserves the National Artist award (Voltaire Domingo/NPPA IMAGES)
Director Joel Lamangan: Nora deserves the National Artist award (Voltaire Domingo/NPPA IMAGES)

Her director, Joel Lamangan, didn’t notice any change in her laser-like focus as she played a member of a human trafficking syndicate in the Cinemalaya entry, “Hustisya.”

But the director, who has helmed five of Nora’s films (“The Flor Contemplacion Story” and “Sidhi”, among them), can read her like a book. He knows how upset she was at the big rebuff.

Individual secrets

“Ate Guy (as showbiz insiders call Nora) felt bad. She will not let people knowt it. She will continue working to prove she deserves the award.”

The multi-awarded director, a long-time Noranian, feels for his idol.

“They must give it (the award) to her. No other artist is qualified. Siya lang ang may track record of local and international recognitions. Iisa lang siya na di matutularan.”

Direk Joel takes a swipe at the morality issue that disqualified Nora for the National Artist title.

Nora Aunor with Joel Lamangan and Ricky Lee, director and scriptwriter respectively of 'Hustisya.'
Nora Aunor with Joel Lamangan and Ricky Lee, director and scriptwriter respectively of 'Hustisya.'

“Yung iba bang national artists, pure white ba or perfect? May kanya kanya yang (secrets).”

Dark character

What’s important, Direk Joel says, is that Nora can set any screen on fire by a mere glance or a single look that can change an entire movie’s direction.

This look was the kind Nora’s co-star, Rocco Nacino, dealt with when they shared a prolonged scene in “Hustisya.”

It was not easy.  But the actor stepped up to the challenge.

“Nagawa ni Rocco (who plays a lawyer) ng mahusay ang role niya,” declares Direk Joel.

He promises to surprise even fellow Noranians with their idol’s portrayal of Biring, a dark character who unwittingly falls into a human trafficker’s trap.

International filmfests

The Nora whom Cinemalaya – and soon, international viewers will see in  “Hustisya” – says Direk Joel, doesn’t throw a fit. She doesn’t morph into a local deity the way her character in “Himala” did.

“Masama siyang tao dito, pero maiintindihan mo siya.”

This early, the director reveals “Hustisya” has several invites to compete in international filmfests. Direk Joel, whose other film, Kamkam, is competing in a US filmfest, said he can only grace one event -- somewhere in Europe (exactly where, he refuses to say out of respect to the organizers).

Nora can downplay her chances of winning another Best Actress award, thanks to “Hustisya’s” dramatic highlights. But this early, prospects are bright that it will add another feather in hers – and director Joel Lamangan’s well-decorated caps.

“Hustisya” also stars Sunshine Dizon, Rosanna Roces, Gardo Versoza, Chynna Ortaleza, Jaime Pebanco and others. It gala premiere is on Saturday, August 2 at the CCP Main Theater. Succeeding screenings are at the CCP, Greenbelt, Trinoma, Fairview Terraces and Alabang Town Center cinemas.