With his latest film Fatherland finally showing in cinemas nationwide, director Joel Lamangan said he can finally show his latest work to PInoy audiences everywhere.

“Masarap at masaya. At least, ipapalabas na ang Fatherland. Makikita na ng mga tao ang isang pelikulang hinubog namin ay mula sa isang katotohanan na isang bata na inalagaan ng kanyang tatay, sa paghahanap niya sa kanyang tatay sa buong bayan, nakita niya ang condition ng bayan,” he told PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview during the Fatherland celebrity screening. 

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The Fatherland director also talked about one of his stars Inigo Pascual, who flew in from the US last week just to help promote the film as he is currently based abroad.

“Napaka-importante na si Inigo, main actor siya dito. Umuwi para lang ma-promote ang pelikulang ito. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya dahil napakalaki ng kontribusyon niya sa pelikulang ito. Kung wala si Inigo, wala itong pelikulang ito. Ganoon ka importante ang karakter niya sa pelikula,” he admitted. 

Just like the other members of his talented cast, direk Joel revealed that he personally handpicked Inigo for his role as Allen Dizon’s son in the film.

“Nakita ko na siya sa mga movie na ginawa niya. Alam ko mahusay siyang artista. Kaya siya ang kinuha ko. Nung sinabihan ko sila na kukunin ko silang artista, tuwang tuwa naman sila.

"Dito naman nag-reverse yung roles nung mga nakasama ko sa FPJ's Batang Quiapo na si Cherry Pie Picache at Mercedes Cabral. Dito, ang mabait si Mercedes. Ang salbahe ay si Cherry Pie. Eh, tuwang tuwa naman sila and pinaglaruan nila yung role. Kaya naging maganda, effective!” he explained. 

READ: Allen Dizon on playing three roles in new film Fatherland: 'Meron siyang personality disorder'

Direk Joel also hoped the Filipino audience will appreciate and bemoved after watching Fatherland, which has family at the core of its story.

“Sana maramdaman nila na napaka-importante ng bayan. Na maramdaman nila ang pagmamahal ng isang anak sa kanyang ama. Ang pagmamahal ng ama sa anak. Pagiging isang pamilya,” he said. 

Watch Fatherland, now showing in cinemas nationwide. The film stars Inigo Pascual, Angel Aquino Mercedes Cabral, Cherry Pie Picache, Max Eigenmann, Richard Yap, Ara Davao, Jeric Gonzales, Kazel Kinouchi, and Rico Barrera. Written by Roy Iglesias and directed by Joel Lamangan.