Joel Torre hopes to star in a film that embraces Philippines many languages

May 7 ------ “Isolated” star Joel Torre dreams of a film where characters speak in different Filipino dialects and languages as an authentic reflection of the country’s cultural diversity. “I hope we come up with a movie later on na iba’t-ibang dialects, they’re all in one… like a fraternity, na iba’t-ibang klase so that we’re able to embrace each other’s cultures, we embrace each other’s language, and nagpapakita yun na yan talaga ang Filipino,” Joel said. 

The seasoned actor, who stars in the Benedict Mique-directed and Viva Films-produced psychological horror “Isolated,” shared that he’s happy to see more regional representation in cinema, including through language, in recent years. For one, he plays the Ilonggo father of Maris Racal’s character in “Incognito.” Their scenes are always trending on social media. Praising Maris, he said: “She’s not an Ilonggo but she’s able to deliver (her lines) as a real Ilongga. Because she’s from Davao, that’s why.” 

What Joel appreciates most is how Ilonggo or any regional language is no longer used as a punchline. “Ay sus, nagpasalamat gyud ako sa mga Ilonggo (for making our scenes trend),” he said, stressing how it’s “using the Ilonggo accent not as a means of comedy.” “Hindi siya (ginagamit) sa pagpapatawa. We’re doing drama sequences, pero pasok siya. So I think people should stop looking at Bisayan accent or Ilocano accent or Kapampangan as a means of comedic effect,” he further stressed. 

As regional cinema continues to gain momentum, Joel hopes filmmakers will keep pushing boundaries — not just in genre or story, but in the very languages we use to tell our own narratives. He points to places like Palawan as a microcosm of language diversity. “If you go to Palawan, for example, I think it’s the most complete set-up of mga migrants na nagpupunta dun, galing sa iba’t ibang probinsya — from Visayas, Mindanao, may Ilonggo, may Tagalog, and if you look at the language, nag-evolve, which I think is a perfect example of how a Filipino language can evolve. Hindi lang Cuyonon, hindi lang yung local language nila, kundi. It’s a welcome thing.” 

Joel shared that early in his career, he struggled with using his own voice on screen due to his strong Ilonggo accent. “‘Oro Plata Mata,’ I didn’t use my voice because I was very, very Ilonggo,” he recalled.  “So it took me three years or three movies before I started using my own voice.” That moment finally came in the film “Bituing Walang Ningning,” where he was able to use his voice and didn’t have anyone else dubbed it. He stressed the importance of comfort and authenticity in language. “First language is first language, kahit papaano mas secure tayo magsalita,” he explained. “I feel nga kung mag-Tagalog ako, may pause ako… delayed pause for a few seconds.” 

Joel also expressed his admiration for regional cinema, which continues to grow through platforms like Cinema Rehiyon. “It focuses on films from different regions in the country,” he said, quoting acclaimed filmmaker Lav Diaz: “To be a global film foremost is to be local.” He also cited writer Nick Joaquin, who once said, “To be regionalistic is to be foremost nationalistic.” Joel believes that filmmakers should take pride in their roots: “Kelangan magamit mo yung kung saan ka nanggaling.” 

He pointed out that audiences — both local and international — are now more accepting of diverse languages in film, especially with subtitles bridging the gap. “It’s accepted. Meron naman tayo subtitling. Kung lalabas tayo ng pelikula sa ibang bansa, may subtitling na naman, tinatanggap naman ng mga tao.” He cited the success of his Netflix film “Lolo and the Kid,” also directed by Benedict Mique, as an example of how language need not be a barrier. “It’s Tagalog, but there are subtitles. Nag-No. 1 sa ibang bansa, nag-No. 1 sa Netflix UAE. That’s understandable kasi maraming Pinoy.” The film, retitled “Abuela and the Kid” in some Latin markets, showed that emotional and family-driven narratives can transcend language. “It just shows that film — especially films that involve family — is very universal,” he said. 

Meanwhile, in “Isolated,” which sees him portraying a former US military man, Joel navigates accents with care. “I play an ex-US military guy. English naman yung (accent). That was a challenge so sabi ko kay Direk, kelangan ko ba ng… ‘if you can put in a little accent,’ he said, pwede. Pero hindi ko na pinilit na kailangang may twang or whatever because it won’t come out natural.” He added that while he enjoys playing around with languages, the lack of time in local productions can limit that exploration. “It’s nice to play languages, it’s just that, we don’t have the luxury of time,” he admitted. 

Source: philstar.com