The Flor Contemplacion Story

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 and was chronicled in a film which operates on various personal, social and political levels.

The Flor Contemplacion Story
DVD cover of The Flor Contemplacion Story
Directed byJoel Lamangan
Screenplay by
Story byEfren Contemplacion
Produced by
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
Box office₱70 million[1]

A film produced by Viva Films that was both critically acclaimed and controversial, The Flor Contemplacion Story brought Nora Aunor numerous citations for her intense portrayal as the fallen heroine of the story.[2] 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.[2]

Plot

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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 charged with killing her fellow Filipina, Delia Maga, and the little boy she was caring for. After a hasty trial, the Singaporean 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.[3]

Cast

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Production

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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.[4] 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.[5] Screenwriter Ricky Lee pushed himself to finish the film's screenplay by his set deadline of April 15 after the rights were acquired.[5]

Music

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

Critical response

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The film received positive reviews, especially for Aunor's acting.[6][7]

Accolades

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International

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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

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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
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

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  • 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

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  1. ^ Red, Isiah Vasquez (June 16, 1995). More canteen 'disclosures'. Manila Standard. p. 251.
  2. ^ a b "Nora Aunor Filmography". Archived from the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ Japitana, Norma (March 27, 1995). "Nora plays Flor in Viva Movie". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 20. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Red, Isah Vasquez (April 9, 1995). "Golf body-budies". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. A4. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  6. ^ "Flor Contemplacion Story, The". June 25, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  7. ^ "Flor Contemplacion Story, movie review". Retrieved May 4, 2013.
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