‘Citizen Jake’: A personal project for Mike De Leon, a risky move for Atom Araullo

It has been 17 long years since the release of legendary director Mike De Leon's last film, "Bayaning 3rd World." Much has changed since then and fans have been eagerly anticipating his return in "Citizen Jake."

The film follows the story of the titular character Jake Herrera, played by journalist Atom Araullo.

Araullo also co-wrote the script with De Leon and comics creator Noel Pascual.

Nelson Canlas reporting for Balitanghali on Thursday said that the project is "very personal" for De Leon, who sees the film as a tribute to LVN Studios.

The film is also an expression of his alarm over the return to power of the Marcos family.

"I have often wondered, why make a film again after almost 18 years? I cannot say with absolute certainty. There were two possible reasons.

"One, perhaps the sad fate of the LVN studios which the family eventually lost still weighed heavily on my mind. I pondered long and hard how a family blessed with such a unique cinematic legacy could squander it and not even blink. I always think of 'Citizen Jake' as some sort of fitting end to the legacy of two filmmakers from two generations – my grandmother, Lola Sisang, and my Dad, Manuel or Manny," De Leon shared in a post on the movie's official Facebook page.

He added, "Another reason is perhaps the specter of the Marcoses returning to power spooked me, and we had just elected a President who believed that the regime of Ferdinand Marcos was not bad at all. And as things are turning out, this President is determined to outdo the dead dictator in his sociopathic quest for absolute power."

In an interview with GMA News Online, Araullo admitted that there were apprehensions about crossing over to making films — but the chance to work with De Leon was just too goo to pass up.

"I knew that there were risks, but the potential of doing something new and something worthwhile and a project with Mike De Leon was just too amazing an opportunity to let go of," Araullo said, adding that whether or not it adds to or detracts from his credibility as a journalist will be up to the audience.

"Palagay ko naman kahit gumawa ka ng pelikula, hindi naman nawawala 'yong kakayanan mong gumawa ng istorya," he explained. "As a journalist, hindi naman all of a sudden makakalimutan mo kung ano 'yong journalism ethics...the skills that have been acquired all those years. I hope that people look at it positively."

De Leon's films ("Kisapmata", "Sister Stella L", and "Batch '81") are considered masterpieces both in technique and in their deft handling of disquieting themes.

The acclaimed director shared that the film is closest to "Kisapmata" as it is "first and foremost a human drama, a personal saga of a young man struggling with the contradictions within his own social class and the demands of a dysfunctional political family. It is also a thriller of sorts, minus the shoot-outs and the car chases."

Joining the cast are Max Collins, Luis Alandy, Cherie Gil, Gabby Eigenmann, and Teroy Guzman.

A release date for the film has yet to be announced. — LA, GMA News