Brillante Mendoza’s latest film ‘Moro’ to premiere on Netflix

Brillante Ma Mendoza | PHOTO: Facebook page of Brillante Ma Mendoza

Renowned Filipino director Brillante Mendoza’s new film “Moro,” which delves deep into the complex social and political fabric of the Maguindanao region in Western Mindanao, Philippines, is set to make its global premiere on Netflix on July 19.

In an Instagram post, veteran actress Laurice Guillen, who stars in “Moro,” shared behind-the-scenes photos from their recent shoots. She captioned, “Behind the scenes of ‘Moro’ when we recently shot unfinished scenes from before the pandemic.”

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A post shared by Laurice Guillen (@lauriceguillen)

Aside from her, “Moro” also features Christopher de Leon, Piolo Pascual, Baron Geisler, Ina Feleo and many other actors.

“Moro,” which is set in Maguindanao, narrates the tale of two brothers, Jasim and Abdel. IMDb describes Abdel, the younger brother who is careless and has wasted his savings on gambling, as very different from Jasim, the older brother who works hard and is prudent.

Their mother tries to make amends with her sons after having a worrisome dream about her deceased husband. A little period of peace is achieved for the family with the assistance of their local community. But unexpected government interference shatters this peace, bringing horrific violence to the entire region.

The film’s setting and narrative promise to shed light on the socio-political issues faced by the Maguindanao region, a recurrent theme in Mendoza’s work, which often highlights the struggles of marginalized communities in the Philippines.

Born in 1960, the director gained international recognition with his 2005 film “Masahista” and won the Best Director award at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival for “Kinatay.” His other films, such as “Thy Womb” and “Ma’ Rosa,” often highlight the lives of marginalized individuals, characterized by a raw, documentary-style approach.

In addition to “Moro,” Mendoza’s other films, “Apag” and “Pula,” are already available on the streaming platform, showcasing Mendoza’s signature style of raw, unflinching storytelling that has earned him international acclaim. His profound dedication to social realism continues to inspire audiences.