The Flor Contemplacion Story
The Flor Contemplacion Story is a 1995 film produced by Viva Films about the story of the 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. Both controversial and critically acclaimed, it has brought Nora Aunor numerous citations for her intense portrayal as the fallen heroine of the story.[1]
| The Flor Contemplacion Story | |
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 DVD Cover of The Flor Contemplacion Story | |
| Directed by | Joel Lamangan |
| Produced by | Vic del Rosario, Jr. |
| Written by |
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| Starring |
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| Music by | Vehnee Saturno |
| Cinematography | Romeo Vitug |
| Edited by |
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Production company | VIVA Films |
| Distributed by | VIVA Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
The Flor Contemplacion Story was screened and exhibited in different film festivals around the world. The film won the Princess Pataten Statue for best actress for its lead star, Nora Aunor and the film won the Golden Pyramid Award at the 1995 Cairo International Film Festival.[2] Aunor also swept all the best actress awards given by the different award giving bodies in the Philippines including the Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role given by the Young Critics Circle.
Synopsis
Just like many impoverished people, Flor (Aunor) thought that by working abroad she could give her family a better life even though it means sacrificing her own happiness. She decided to work as a domestic helper in Singapore thinking that this could be the answer to her problems. Unlike many other servants, Flor was 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 that she was caring for. Unfortunately, all evidence points to Flor's innocence. After a hasty trial, the Singapore government finds Flor guilty and sentences her to death by hanging. Her predicament brings an outpouring of sympathy from Filipinos, who refuse to believe her guilt. There was also a national appeal for clemency and a re-investigation to be done. Even the office of the President appealed to the Singaporean Government. However, the Singapore Government remained steadfast with their decision.
Flor was executed in March 1995. The film also examines the effects of Flor's absence upon her family. Her husband, unable to stand the wait, begins an affair and then forces the two oldest girls to marry.[3]
Cast
- Nora Aunor as Flor Contemplacion
- Julio Diaz as Efren Contemplacion
- Jacklyn Jose as Neneng
- Ian De Leon as Xandrex Contemplacion
- Vina Morales as Russel Contemplacion
- Jon-Jon Contemplacion as Himself
- Joel Contemplacion as Himself
- Tony Mabesa as Philippine Ambassador in Philippine Embassy in Singapore
- Ali Sotto as Spokesperson of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore
- Rita Avila as Evangeline Parale
- Amy Austria as Delia Maga
- Charito Solis as Lydia Montilla
- Gloria Sevilla as Flor's mother
- Caridad Sanchez as Flor's mother-in-law
- Ronaldo Valdez as Atty. Romeo Capulong
- Bennette Ignacio as Nicholas Huang
Awards and recognition
International Awards and Nominations
| Year | Group | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Cairo International Film Festival | Princess Pataten Statue for Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Won |
| Golden Pyramid | Joel Lamangan | Won |
Philippine Awards and Nominations
| 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 | Jacklyn Jose | Nominated | ||
| Best Screenplay |
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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 | Jacklyn 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 | Jacklyn 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 | Jacklyn 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 | Jacklyn 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
- "Nora Aunor Filmography". Retrieved 2013-01-24.
- "1995 Cairo International Film Festival". Retrieved 2013-01-24.
- "The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995)". Retrieved 2013-01-24.
- "Flor Contemplacion Story, The". Retrieved 2013-05-04.
- "Flor Contemplacion Story, review". Retrieved 2013-05-04.
- "Flor Contemplacion Story, movie review". Retrieved 2013-05-04.