The Flor Contemplacion Story

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The Flor Contemplacion Story
Story byEfren Contemplacion
Produced by
  • William C. Leary
  • Starring
    CinematographyRomy Vitug
    Edited by
    Music byVehnee Saturno
    Production
    company
    Distributed byViva Films
    Release date
    • June 7, 1995 (1995-06-07)
    Running time
    122 minutes
    CountryPhilippines
    LanguageFilipino

    The Flor Contemplacion Story is a 1995 drama film directed by

    Ricky Lee and Bonifacio Ilagan, based on a story supplied by Efren Contemplacion. Starring Nora Aunor, the film tells the story of a Filipina domestic helper who was hanged in Singapore
    for allegedly killing her fellow maid. The story was chronicled in a film which operates on various personal, social and political levels.

    A film produced by Viva Films that was both critically acclaimed and controversial, it brought Nora Aunor numerous citations for her intense portrayal as the fallen heroine of the story.[1]

    It was later screened and exhibited in different film festivals around the world, particularly at the 19th Cairo International Film Festival where the film won the Golden Pyramid Award and its lead star, Nora Aunor, won the Princess Pataten Award for Best Actress.[1]

    Plot

    domestic helper
    in Singapore thinking it will solve her problems. Unlike many other servants, she is well-treated by her employers. However, in 1995, she was arrested and was charged of killing her fellow Filipina, Delia Maga and the little boy she was caring for. After a hasty trial, the Singapore government finds Flor guilty and sentences her to death by hanging.

    Flor's predicament brings an outpouring of sympathy from Filipinos, who refuse to believe her guilt. There was a national appeal for clemency and a re-investigation to be done. The office of the President appealed to the Singaporean Government; however, the Singapore Government remained steadfast with their decision, and Flor was executed in March 1995.[2]

    Cast

    Production

    Over a week after Flor Contemplacion's execution on March 17, 1995, Viva Films was already negotiating with Romeo Capulong, the lawyer representing Contemplacion's family, for the film rights to her story, with Nora Aunor cast to portray Contemplacion in the anticipated film.[3] On April 5, 1995, Viva Films president Teresita Cruz announced that the studio has officially acquired the film rights to Contemplacion's story, which cost up to ₱2 million.[4] Screenwriter Ricky Lee pushed himself to finish the film's screenplay by his set deadline of April 15 after the rights were acquired.[4]

    It was broadcast on May 6, 1996 on the newly-launched Viva Cinema channel of STAR TV Network available on Home Cable, Sun Cable, Destiny Cable and Cignal

    Critical response

    The film received positive reviews, especially for Aunor's acting.[5][6]

    Theme song

    The theme song in the film is "Kahit Konting Awa" composed by Vehnee Saturno and interpreted by Aunor herself.

    Accolades

    International

    Year Group Category Nominee Result
    1995 Cairo International Film Festival Princess Pataten Statue for Best Actress Nora Aunor Won
    Golden Pyramid Joel Lamangan Won

    Philippines

    Year Award-giving body Category Nominee Result
    1996
    Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS)
    Circle of Excellence Nora Aunor Won
    Best Musical Score Vehnee Saturno Won
    Best Director Joel Lamangan Nominated
    Best Picture Nominated
    Best Supporting Actress Jaclyn Jose Nominated
    Best Screenplay
    • Ricardo Lee
    • Bonifacio Ilagan
    Nominated
    Best Sound Ramon Reyes Nominated
    Best Movie Theme Song "Kahit Konting Awa" by Vehnee Saturno Nominated
    Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino)
    Best Actress Nora Aunor Won
    Best Director Joel Lamangan Won
    Best Supporting Actress Jaclyn Jose Won
    Best Picture Nominated
    Best in Cinematography Romeo Vitug Nominated
    Best Music Vehnee Saturno Nominated
    Best Sound Ramon Reyes Nominated
    Best Supporting Actress Rita Avila Nominated
    Luna Award (Film Academy of the Philippines) Best Picture Won
    Best Actress Nora Aunor Won
    Best Director Joel Lamangan Won
    Best Adapted Screenplay Ricky Lee Won
    Best Sound Ramon Reyes Won
    Best Supporting Actress Jaclyn Jose Won
    Best Editing Edgardo Vinarao Nominated
    Best Original Song "Kahit Konting Awa" by Vehnee Saturno Nominated
    Star Awards for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club) Best Actress Nora Aunor Won
    Best Director Joel Lamangan Won
    Best Picture Won
    Best Supporting Actress Jaclyn Jose Won
    Best Movie Theme Song "Kahit Konting Awa" by Vehnee Saturno Won
    Best Musical Score Vehnee Saturno Won
    Young Critics Circle
    Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role Nora Aunor Won
    Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design Romeo Vitug (director of photography)
    Manny Morfe (production designer)
    Won
    Best Film Nominated
    Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role Jaclyn Jose Nominated
    Best Screenplay Ricky Lee Nominated

    List of Film Festival Competed or Exhibited

    • 1995 - Toronto International Film Festival
    • 1995 - Competition Film, 19th Cairo International Film Festival
      • Winner, Golden Pyramid Award (Best Picture)
      • Princess Pataten Statue Best Actress, Nora Aunor
    • 1996 - Human Rights Watch International Film Festival New York, June 13
    • 1996 - Pan Asian Film and Video Festival, April 12–26
    • 1996 - 3rd Southeast Asian Film Festival
    • 1996 - Fukuoka International Film Festival, September 13–23, Feature Film: Philippine Films Collection,
    • 1996 - Hawaii International Film Festival, November
    • 1996 - Pusan International Film Festival, Korea
    • 1996 - Dublin Film Festival, Ireland
    • 2003 - Philippine Film Festival Fukuoka City, Japan, November 1–16

    References

    1. ^ a b "Nora Aunor Filmography". Archived from the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
    2. ^ "The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2007. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
    3. ^ Japitana, Norma (March 27, 1995). "Nora plays Flor in Viva Movie". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 20. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
    4. ^ a b Red, Isah Vasquez (April 9, 1995). "Golf body-budies". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. A4. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
    5. ^ "Flor Contemplacion Story, The". June 25, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
    6. ^ "Flor Contemplacion Story, movie review". Retrieved May 4, 2013.

    External links