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In this powerful and emotional interview, The Hearing director Lawrence Fajardo and producer Krisma Maclang Fajardo dive deep into the harrowing realities that inspired their latest film—a bold and necessary portrayal of sexual abuse within the deaf community in the Philippines.

We discuss:

The shocking statistic that over 70% of deaf children in the Philippines experience abuse Challenges of visually and aurally representing the world from a deaf perspective Depictions of religious trauma and abuse within the Church Working with deaf actors and ensuring authenticity Enzo Osorio’s powerful lead performance Balancing artistic direction and editing in post-production Behind-the-scenes hurdles in an underfunded, socially urgent production

Don’t miss this compelling conversation on representation, justice, and the power of cinema to confront taboo issues.

Exclusive: London-based Sc Films International has picked up Brillante Mendoza’s latest film project, Chameleon, for worldwide sales ahead of the Cannes market.

Currently in post-production, the Philippines-Japan crime drama focuses on a Filipino transgender dancer named Marie (played by Mariko Ledesma) who joins the Japanese Yakuza underworld. Set in early 2000s Sapporo, Japan, Marie becomes entangled with the dangerous Yakuza world after an immigration raid pushes her into the orbit of the deadly Yakuza. Desperate, she takes a job at the Chameleon club and quickly becomes a favorite of the Yakuza boss, named Shimamura. Marie must find a way to escape even though the promise of freedom may be fleeting.

First footage from the film will be available during Cannes, with the film receiving support from Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs. Production took place over two years in Japan.

Chameleon stars veteran Japanese actor Eiji Okuda as Yakuza boss Shimamura, alongside Tsuyoshi Ihara, Rina Takeda (Attack on Titan) and Shogen (Gensan Punch).

Besides Ledesma, Filipino actors in Chameleon include Ruby Ruiz, Gigi Hernandez and Vince Rillon.

Mendoza won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009 for his feature film Kinatay.

Troy Espiritu, who also served as a writer on Mendoza’s 2016 Cannes entry Ma’ Rosa, penned the screenplay for Chameleon alongside Mendoza.

Chameleon is produced by the same group of producers who previously collaborated on boxing biopic Gensan Punch, which won the Kim Jiseok Award at the 2021 Busan International Film Festival. Producers include Takahiro Yamashita from Japan’s Yaman Films, Krisma Maclang Fajardo of The Philippines’ Center Stage Productions, UK-based Fumie Suzuki Lancaster of Sc Films International and Bobo.

The film is also executive produced by Yoshi and Hironobu Arai , with music composed by Yoshihiro Hanno (Mountains May Depart).

“We’re thrilled to reunite with director Brillante Mendoza and his outstanding team,” said Lancaster, who serves as one of the film’s producers. “This powerful comeback film is deeply rooted in Mendoza’s unique vision, shedding light on the untold stories of Filipinos who came to Japan in the early 2000s with hopes and dreams of a better life. Following our successful collaboration on Gensan Punch, an HBO Original that won acclaim at the Busan International Film Festival, we are proud to continue supporting Brillante’s bold storytelling on the global stage.”...

Acclaimed and controversial Filipino director Brillante Mendoza has set “Chameleon,” the fact-based tale of a transgender woman who joins the Japanese underworld, as his next movie to direct.

“Chameleon” is inspired by the true story of a Filipino transgender woman, Marie, who is drawn into the Yakuza gangster life after befriending Ai, the rebellious daughter of a powerful Yakuza boss. Set against the pulsating background of the 1990s nightlife in Sapporo, Hokkaido, the film charts the almost impossible decisions Marie faced and her tumultuous journey to discovering family, love and ultimately her true identity.

The film is now in pre-production ahead of a February 2023 start of production in Sapporo. Delivery is anticipated in time for the fall festival season.

While auditioning for the lead character is ongoing, a confirmed Japanese cast include Okuda Eiji, Ihara Tsuyoshi, Takeda Rina, and Shogen.

“Chameleon” is being produced by Yamashita Takahiro of Japan’s Yaman Films,...