Giselle Sanchez has been chastised by director-playwright Floy Quintos for her “artistic” explanation for playing late former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino in the film “Maid in Malacaang.”
The teaser for the film depicted Aquino, as played by Sanchez, playing mahjong with nuns while seeking refuge in the Carmelite Monastery in Cebu City during the early stages of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. The scene drew criticism and was labeled “malicious” by the convent’s prioress, Sister Mary Melanie Costillas. Costillas criticized the film for historical distortions and inaccuracies as well as the filmmakers’ failure “to gather information on what really happened during Aquino’s stay.”
Sanchez announced her new role on her Facebook page yesterday, August 2. The post was based on an article she wrote for her “Gossip Girl” column in the Manila Bulletin on Monday, August 1.
Sanchez stated that she took the role because she had always wanted to work with the film’s director, Darryl Yap. She also quoted Sen. Imee Marcos, who said during the film’s press conference, “Art should disturb, confuse, provoke, seduce, and agitate.”
Quintos was among those who commented on Sanchez’s post, claiming that “Maid in Malacaang” is “in no way art.”
“It is not the work of artists, but of provocateurs who simply want to gain likes, views, instant fame and notoriety. Art has nothing to do with it at all,” Quintos stated.
“Please just stop using the term, and the argument that your movie is Art since it disturbs and agitates. Your movie stops there.”
“How can a movie that is already condemned for falsification of history, for an overwhelming bias and for sheer bad taste, possibly be art?” he added.
Sanchez’s explanation for accepting the role, according to Quintos, amounted to “justification for doing the unthinkable” and a “desperate attempt to convince yourself that you made the right artistic choice.”
“Art has nothing to do with your choice. Just say you needed and wanted the work. At least, you will have maintained some integrity,” he stated.
