"Captive" - Even A Choice Is Not An Option

Captive is about self-preservation, about survival in the face of hardships and situations beyond one’s control.

The story of Captive is adapted from the Dos Palmas kidnapping of two US missionaries by the Abu Sayyaf Group in 2001.

On May 27, 2001 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group abduct 20 local and foreign tourists from the DOS Palmas resort in Palawan and transport them via a fishing boat across the Sulu Sea to the island of Basilan.

On the boat, the ASG demand ransom from the hostages. One of the hostages arranges an easy transfer of the ransom to a bank in Zamboanga, the reason why the group makes a stopover in Lamitan City hospital en route to their hideout in the mountains. A bullet mistakenly shot by one of the ASG leaders at a passing military truck triggers a military assault on the hospital that lasts the whole day the next day.

Amid the firing, three hostages are freed after what is implied as payment of ransom. Four more hostages are taken from the hospital staff when the group leaves, even if the kidnappers release three others with orders to arrange ransom for their loved ones whom the kidnappers are taking with them in the mountains. Two are left behind after being wounded from ambush assault by the militia.

The first natural casualty of the kidnapping is an old Filipina social worker, who dies during the journey. Her companion, Therese Bourgoine, a French social worker, wins a score over the kidnappers when she succeeds in giving Soledad a Christian burial.

On the eve of Philippine Independence Day, the kidnappers beheaded one of the foreign hostages, a result of a failed negotiation with the government.

Finally, the military manages to stage a daring rescue. Only Therese Bourgoine and the missionary Sophie Bernstein are saved alive from the clutches of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Directed by the 2009 Cannes Film Festival Best Director winner, Brillante Ma Mendoza. 

"Taking into account all these factual events, what to me is more essential, is the fact that we are all 'victims' in a larger scheme of things. We become insignificant when placed in a bigger picture, especially when we are faced up with nature's rage." 

- Brillante Mendoza

A Film by Brillante Ma. Mendoza, Official Philippine Entry to the 2012 Berlin International Film Festival.   Will be shown in France / Philippines / Germany / Great Britain. 

Swift Productions in association with Centerstage, B. A. Produktion, Studio 

Eight Productions, Arte France Cinema

This is in 120 minutes In English, Tagalog, French, Tausug, Hookien, Chavacano with English subtitles. Rated “A” by the Cinema Evaluation Board.

Starring Isabelle Hupper, (Two-time Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Awardee) and with special participation of Coco Martin.

With Ronnie Lazaro, Raymond Bagatsing, Sid Lucero, Mon Confiado, Timothy Mabalot, Tado, Neil Ryan Sese, Pipo Alfad, Raul Morit, Perry Dizon, Kristoffer King, Oliver Gaton, Bombi Plata, Raymond Nullan, Lauren Novero, Vince Rillon, Ronaldo Nacianceno, Rustica Carpio, Kathy Mulville, Mercedes Cabral, Mark Zanneta, Peter Overbeeke, Madeline Nicolas, Maria Isabel Lopez, Bianca Zialcita, Bobby Jerome Go, Bernard Palanca, Jon Achaval, Jelyn Chong, Goldilyn Uy, Elizabeth Chua, Archie Adamos, Bea Garcia, Richard Manabat, Boom Latorre, Jess Evardone, Nico Antonio.

The movie is also with Angel Aquino, Allan Paule, Che Ramos, Marinela Lumeran, Anita Linda, Arlyn de la Cruz, Joel Torre, Perry Escaño, Evelyn Vargas-Knaebel, Harold Montano, Micah Muñoz, Cris Garrido

"Captive" will have its Philippine Philippine premiere at SM Pampanga on 02 September 2012.
Gala premiere at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 2 on 03 September 2012. Regular cinema screening starts on 05 September 2012. This is released by Star Cinema.