Many thought Richard Gomez was done with filmmaking. It’s been quite a while since his last movie, after all. But the actor, who’s also a long-time public servant, is back, headlining “Salvageland,” described as a neo-Western suspense drama that examines love, family, power, ambition, and the interminable search for truth and justice.
“I never said I’m retiring or that I’m retired,” Gomez said. “Actually, I’m still very much open to doing film work contrary to what others might have said. It’s just that, of course, at this point, I am looking for something special, something that could challenge me enough to say yes.”
He added, “‘Salvageland’ offered me that and more.”
After years devoted to public service — he is now congressman of Leyte’s 4th District — Gomez admitted that returning to showbiz feels like coming home.
“Masarap, masaya,” he said. “Noon nasa set nga kami e, talagang ang saya lang makisalamuha sa mga kapwa ko artista, kina direk, sa crew. It felt like coming home. Napakakomportable ko.”
In the Philippines, the term “salvage” carries a darker meaning in that it has become synonymous with extrajudicial killings.
The word evolved from its original English use, “to recover,” after authorities often described recovered bodies as having been “salvaged.” Over time, the term became a euphemism for summary executions.
“I like it that the film is gritty, realistic,” said Gomez. “Of course, lahat naman tayo siguro e, along the way, we hear or read na about these kind of things. In ‘Salvageland,’ these things are tackled matter-of-fact. Kaya nga nung binabasa ko pa lang ang script, kinikilabutan na ako. Hindi ko mabitawan.”
Set against the volcanic landscape of Mount Pinatubo, “Salvageland” centers on a veteran police officer and his rookie son who must defend their station when a crime syndicate target seeks sanctuary with them. The situation forces the father and son into a violent confrontation that challenges both their bond and their sense of morality.
“Salvageland” is also a homecoming for Lino S. Cayetano, who returns to feature directing after years focused on producing at Rein Entertainment, which he co-founded with Shugo Praico and Philip King.
“This film resonates with me on a very personal level,” Cayetano said. “Ang ganda ng mga tina-tackle niyang mga themes, like, in terms of family, responsibility, justice. It also asks difficult questions, like how do you define evil? How far would you go in terms of your responsibility to your job, your family? How far would you go to right a wrong? Are you willing to sacrifice everything you have for the sake of justice?”
Produced by Rein Entertainment in partnership with Viva Films, “Salvageland” also stars Mon Confiado, Elijah Canlas, Cindy Miranda, McCoy De Leon, and Angela Morena.
It opens in Cinemas, November 26.
