Nora Aunor (left) in “Himala (1982)” and Aicelle Santos in “Isang Himala (2024).” Photographs: Courtesy of Experimental Cinema of the Philippines and CreaZion Studios
Whereas the enigmatic aura of Nora Aunor is her defining trait as Elsa within the 1982 movie “Himala,” Nationwide Artist Ricky Lee identified that Aicelle Santos’ tackle the character highlights how an odd individual was chosen to be the chosen one.
Lee is the screenwriter of the basic movie starring Aunor because the titular Elsa, who was claimed to be the “chosen one” after allegedly encountering a Marian apparition. Forty-two years later, he returned because the co-scriptwriter of the 2024 musical movie with Santos taking reign because the character.
The Nationwide Artist and composer Vincent de Jesus determined to adapt the movie’s screenplay into “Himala: Isang Musikal” in 2003 which was first staged on the Cultural Middle of the Philippines (CCP). It was then restaged in 2013 by the Philippine Instructional Theater Affiliation, then in 2018 by 9 Works Theatrical and The Sandbox Collective the place Santos portrayed the lead character.
In keeping with Lee, what separates Santos from Aunor’s portrayal of Elsa, is how the latter is extra “refined” to her modern counterpart. He added that an individual’s darkish aspect couldn’t be correctly seen in actual life, which will be correctly portrayed by the musical.
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“Kay Nora, ginawa naming mas refined. Ang Elsa niya ay refined na refined lang. Lumalabas lang na enigmatic si Nora, makikita mo [kung sino siya] sa mata niya,” he informed reporters on the sidelines of the media con of the MMFF 2024 entry.
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“Noong ginawa namin ang play and movie, naging mas klaro na ang darkish aspect ni Elsa. ‘Yung kanta niya kung [saan humiling siya] maging immortal, klaro na, mas luminaw na,” he continued.
(We made Nora refined. Her portrayal of Elsa could be very refined. Nora was very enigmatic, however you’d know the character’s nuances by her eyes. Elsa’s darkish aspect turned clear after we did the play and movie. She had a music the place she requested to be immortal, which made her characterization extra obvious to the viewers.)
The forged, director, scriptwriter, and group behind “Isang Himala.” Picture: Courtesy of CreaZion Studios
Elsa earlier than, then now
When requested what makes Santos the “excellent Elsa” as an alternative of a well known actress, Lee stated it’s her “odd” nature that solidifies the stand because the “chosen one.”
“Kapag could industrial attraction na, meron siyang dinadala na consciousness. Pero si Aicelle, para siyang odd individual na gaya natin na [maaaring mangyari] ang himala. Hindi tayo Nora. Enigmatic si Nora. Chosen siya,” he stated. “Pero si Elsa ngayon, chosen siya pero odd siyang tao. Could darkish aspect rin siya. Hindi nila pinilit na pantayan. Iniba nila.”
(If an actress has a industrial attraction, she brings an air of consciousness to her. However Aicelle is like an odd one that can expertise miracles. We’re not Nora. Nora is enigmatic and she or he’s chosen. However Elsa is now chosen, however she’s odd. She additionally has a darkish aspect. The movie didn’t power itself to come back near the 1982 materials. They made it completely different.)
The Nationwide Artist additionally famous that “Isang Himala” is a “tribute” to the 1982 movie. “Mula noong ipalabas ito midday, matapos ay naging musikal sa entablado at ngayon naman ay naging pelikula base sa musikal.”
“Sa palagay ko patuloy itong magkakaroon ng iba’t ibang bersyon at magpapatuloy pa ang pagkukwento natin ng tungkol sa himala,” he additional defined.
(When it was first proven in theaters, it turned a musical onstage. It’s now a movie primarily based on the musical. I really feel that it’s going to spawn many variations and we’ll proceed to inform tales primarily based on miracles.)
For Lee, what makes “Himala’s” storyline related is how wanting a “sturdy determine” to take management of the general public resonates till immediately. “Masarap isipin na hanggang ngayon, malakas siya pati na rin ang points na tinatackle niya. Pero nakakalungkot pa ring isipin na related pa rin ang points niya.”
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“Sa ngayon, karamihan sa ating mga kababayan ay naghihintay pa rin ng isang Elsa na magliligtas, kakapitan, at magpapakita sa kanila ang daan,” he continued. “Hindi nila nare-realize na nasa puso ninyo ang magbibigay ng solusyon, hindi si Elsa.”
(It’s good to listen to that its story stays sturdy immediately, even the problems it covers. But it surely makes me unhappy realizing that its points are nonetheless related. Till now, a lot of our countrymen have longed for an Elsa who will save, be a pillar, and can present the precise path. They haven’t realized that it’s inside ourselves to resolve our issues, not an Elsa.)
The Pepe Diokno-helmed movie additionally stars Bituin Escalante, Floyd Tena, Neomi Gonzales, David Ezra, and Kakki Teodoro.