“INDIE filmmaking is our bridge from the ‘old world’ of cinema to the present one,” says Mario O’Hara.

MANILA, Philippines--“Do you have an audience?”

This was the first question that Mario O’Hara asked film producer Robbie Tan when the movie director was offered to join this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

When Tan, monitoring committee head, replied in the positive, O’Hara said: “I’ll submit a story.”

So now “Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio” is one of the five entries in the “Directors’ Showcase” category, for local filmmakers who have directed at least three full-length features that have been released commercially.

“Paglilitis” is about the trial of Andres Bonifacio under the Philippine revolutionary government of Emilio Aguinaldo.

O’Hara will compete with Mark Meily (“Isang Pirasong Buhay”), Joselito Altarejos (“Pink Halo-Halo”), Joel Lamangan (“Sigwa”) and Gil Portes (“Two Funerals”) in the July festival.

O’Hara’s last film was the critically acclaimed “Ang Babae sa Breakwater” (2004).

Do you have a dream cast for “Paglilitis”?

I’m very practical. I get whoever is available. I haven’t asked anyone.

Seems it requires a lot of research.

I got a lot of help from the writer, my niece Janice O’Hara. I’ve always been interested in history. I did a lot of research on early Filipinos. Do you know that we don’t have enough history books at the National Library?

When did you decide to make this film?

I’ve long wanted to do this because our history books are too sanitized. Ayaw makasakit ng damdamin, so most writers opted to play it safe. We don’t know the real story, considering that this is a crucial part of our history. This is the root of Philippine politics.

Aren’t you wary about how descendants of families featured in the film will react?

The best book I’ve read so far about the trial is the one by Teodoro Agoncillo. He wasn’t wary; why should I be? Agoncillo was confident that what he wrote was factual. How long should we keep our students in the dark?

What do you look for in the actor who will portray Bonifacio?

Andres was a laborer but he was very smart. He knew how to deal with people and was very vocal about his opinions, but wasn’t boastful. Thus, he was a very successful leader. An effective head of a society should be like that.

What about Aguinaldo?

Emilio was an ilustrado, from a rich and influential family. He was also a brilliant military strategist. The actor who will play him should be very articulate classy.

Is indie filmmaking the future of Philippine movies?

Indie filmmaking is our bridge from the “old world” of cinema to the present one.

How can we can encourage local viewers to watch indie films?

Filipinos love watching movies. The problem is, only those who have computers, or those who are well-informed, get to watch indie films. Let’s build one theater where the masses can go. One such theater in the University Belt would be good. People in malls pay to watch only big Hollywood movies, like “Avatar.

How can we make Filipino films more interesting to the world?

The Filipino film is losing its identity; the characters talk and behave more like Americans or Koreans than Filipinos. For example, the Filipino male’s nature is to hide his feelings. These days, male actors cry on screen as if they’re women, letting tears run down their cheeks. Our filmmakers are … influenced by Hollywood.

If we want to make it abroad we should make something that best represents our country. It’s good that Brilliante Mendoza’s “Kinatay” won in Cannes. Suddenly, people all over the world are interested in us. Let’s all capitalize on this interest. Let’s give them more stories about us.