The Flor Contemplacion Story

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The Flor Contemplacion Story
Flor contemplacion story movie poster.jpg
DVD cover of The Flor Contemplacion Story
Directed by Joel Lamangan
Screenplay by
Story byEfren Contemplacion
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Romy Vitug
Edited by
Music by Vehnee Saturno
Production
company
Distributed byViva Films
Release date
  • June 7, 1995 (1995-06-07)
Running time
122 minutes
Country Philippines
Language Filipino

The Flor Contemplacion Story is a 1995 drama film directed by Joel C. Lamangan from a screenplay written 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.

Contents

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

Flor (Aunor) suffers from poverty and decides to work as a 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 first broadcast for television on May 6, 1996 on the newly-launched Viva Cinema channel of STAR TV Network available on Home Cable, Sun Cable, Destiny Cable and Dream Satellite TV. During the same year, GMA Network premiered the movie for free TV via the movie block Monday Viva Presentations (MVP).

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

YearGroupCategoryNomineeResult
1995Cairo International Film FestivalPrincess Pataten Statue for Best ActressNora AunorWon
Golden PyramidJoel LamanganWon

Philippines

YearAward-giving bodyCategoryNomineeResult
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 PictureNominated
Best Supporting Actress Jaclyn Jose Nominated
Best Screenplay
Nominated
Best SoundRamon ReyesNominated
Best Movie Theme Song"Kahit Konting Awa" by Vehnee SaturnoNominated
Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) Best ActressNora AunorWon
Best Director Joel Lamangan Won
Best Supporting Actress Jaclyn Jose Won
Best PictureNominated
Best in CinematographyRomeo VitugNominated
Best MusicVehnee SaturnoNominated
Best SoundRamon ReyesNominated
Best Supporting Actress Rita Avila Nominated
Luna Award (Film Academy of the Philippines) Best PictureWon
Best Actress Nora Aunor Won
Best Director Joel Lamangan Won
Best Adapted ScreenplayRicky LeeWon
Best SoundRamon ReyesWon
Best Supporting ActressJaclyn JoseWon
Best EditingEdgardo VinaraoNominated
Best Original Song"Kahit Konting Awa" by Vehnee SaturnoNominated
Star Awards for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club) Best ActressNora AunorWon
Best DirectorJoel LamanganWon
Best PictureWon
Best Supporting ActressJaclyn JoseWon
Best Movie Theme Song"Kahit Konting Awa" by Vehnee SaturnoWon
Best Musical ScoreVehnee SaturnoWon
Young Critics Circle Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting RoleNora AunorWon
Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual DesignRomeo Vitug (director of photography)
Manny Morfe (production designer)		Won
Best FilmNominated
Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting RoleJaclyn JoseNominated
Best ScreenplayRicky LeeNominated

List of Film Festival Competed or Exhibited

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References

  1. 1 2 "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. 1 2 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.
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