Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Entertainment

Mendoza spotlights Manila family’s poverty in Cannes film ‘Ma Rosa’

By Reuters 2 min read
Director Brillante Mendoza and cast members leave after the screening of the film "Ma' Rosa" in competition at the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes

CANNES, France (Reuters) – Against the glamorous backdrop of the French Mediterranean resort of Cannes, prolific Filipino director Brillante Mendoza’s latest offering at the world’s biggest film festival is an exploration into the difficult living conditions of a poor family in Manila.

“Ma’ Rosa,” which premiered this week at the Cannes Film Festival, tells the story of Rosa Reyes (Jaclyn Jose), a woman who owns a convenience store in a poor neighborhood of Philippines’ capital Manila, making ends meet with her husband Nestor (Julio Diaz) by selling drugs.

Advertisement

Both are detained at a police station after their home is raided, leaving their three children to find the money needed to pay off corrupt police officers in order to free their parents.

“This situation is really happening back in the Philippines and it’s quite alarming because it comes to a way of life,” Mendoza told Reuters on Thursday.

“The small-time drug selling and all that is happening and it’s quite alarming and something needs to be done. That’s why I decided to make a story out of this situation.”

Mendoza believes the story has wider appeal as the Philippines is not the only country plagued by corruption.

“It’s a painful truth,” the filmmaker said. “There is a lot of bigger corruption that is happening all over the world maybe on a different scale.”

“Ma’ Rosa” is among 21 films competing for the festival’s coveted top Palme d’Or prize, which will be awarded on Sunday.

Mendoza, 55, who previously won the best director award at Cannes in 2009 for “Kinatay,” said that showcasing a film in the festival’s main film competition would help get the world to think about the topics of the film.

“This is where the whole world, you know, watch films from different walks of life and from different parts of the world,” he said.

(Reporting by Reuters Television in Cannes, France; Writing by Piya Sinha-Roy in Los Angeles; Editing by James Dalgleish)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC4I1NP-VIEWIMAGE

Advertisement - Continue reading below

Microsoft to crack down on content promoting extremist acts
News
Reuters 2 min read

Microsoft to crack down on content promoting extremist acts

Baton Rouge: A city divided between police and the policed
News
Reuters 3 min read

Baton Rouge: A city divided between police and the policed

LeBron delivers on promise, leads Cavs to NBA title
News
Reuters 3 min read

LeBron delivers on promise, leads Cavs to NBA title

Box Office: ‘Sausage Party’ scores with $33.6 million, ‘Suicide Squad’ plunges in second weekend
Entertainment
Reuters 4 min read

Box Office: ‘Sausage Party’ scores with $33.6 million, ‘Suicide Squad’ plunges in second weekend

U.S. Air Force eyes decision on F-35 combat readiness soon
News
Reuters 1 min read

U.S. Air Force eyes decision on F-35 combat readiness soon

‘Game of Thrones’ author’s ‘Wild Cards’ to become sci-fi TV series
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

‘Game of Thrones’ author’s ‘Wild Cards’ to become sci-fi TV series

Rihanna, Ariana Grande set to perform at MTV Video Music awards
Entertainment
Reuters 1 min read

Rihanna, Ariana Grande set to perform at MTV Video Music awards

Mom Claims Her Son Was Kicked Out of Cub Scouts Pack for Asking About Gun Control
Social Issues
Brian Delpozo 4 min read

Mom Claims Her Son Was Kicked Out of Cub Scouts Pack for Asking About Gun Control

Judge dismisses Citizens United challenge to New York donor rules
News
Reuters 2 min read

Judge dismisses Citizens United challenge to New York donor rules

Judge in Stanford rape case receives death threats amid recall efforts
News
Reuters 2 min read

Judge in Stanford rape case receives death threats amid recall efforts

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy