Why sweet Shy, stunning Sarah were cast in twisted film

CEBU, Philippines - Filipino horror movies are often easy to dissect. They usually follow the same formula, relying on superstition and folklore.

A group of teens get lost on an outing during the Holy Week, a mysterious yaya arrives and she doesn’t quite fly the same way as Mary Poppins, newlyweds move in to a haunted house in a small town, or maybe some guy uproots a tree and suddenly his body is riddled with boils.

There is always a white lady, an aswang, an angry spirit, or a sordid history around every corner. The concepts of good and evil are simple.

Possession stories are hard to come by however, probably because of the country’s religious beliefs.

But “Ang Pagsanib Kay Leah Dela Cruz,” out in theaters today, takes a leaf from Robert Frost by taking the road less travelled.

The film, a collaboration by Viva Films and Reality Entertainment through Kamikaze Pictures, is directed by Katski Flores, with the script written by Charlene Esguerra of “Saving Sally” and produced by award-winning director Erik Matti of “Seklusyon.”

“Ang Pagsanib Kay Leah Dela Cruz” is a horror film and yet not.

It follows the mystery surrounding the little town of Dalisay where a cop, Ruth Liwanag (Sarah Lahbati), moves into after a haunting past in the city. Ruth witnesses how the seemingly innocent teen Leah Dela Cruz (Shy Carlos) jumps off a balcony in broad daylight. Ruth joins the investigation to redeem herself and save Leah who has been accused of a serious crime. Turns out, the devil isn’t just after Leah, but is coming for all of them as well.

“I’m not a fan of horror movies. I hate being scared. But when I got my hands on the story, I was just so drawn to the material,” director-writer Katski Flores says during an interview Monday at Robinsons Galleria’s Buzzz Café before a film preview at Cinema 5.

She says that her good friend Erik Matti and other writers had worked on the film’s story three years ago.

Flores says she doesn’t feel pressure with the high expectations surrounding a Matti-backed project, but the unbelievable amount of support she’s received was leverage enough for her to go the extra mile.

“It doesn’t have to be tatak Erik Matti. It just has to be a good film. It may be a bit daunting but it’s a good kind of excitement. And with all the support and trust, you’re kind of scared to disappoint,” she says.

Flores revealed how difficult it was for them to find the right cast.

“When I met Shy, kinilabutan ako because she really looked the part,” Flores says after recalling the long search for the perfect Leah which consisted of more than 100 auditionees and endless go-sees.

“The moment she left the room, I turned to the producers and said, ‘I want her. She’s my Leah,’” shares Flores of how the 22-year-old Fil-Swiss actress and consulate democratic affairs student won her over.

Noting how it was a blessing in disguise that the actress who was to originally play Leah backed out at the last minute, Flores says, “As a director, you kind of try to look for someone who has most of the qualities you want and Shy checked everything off my list. She embodied the role’s sweetness and innoncence, pero may dilim din sa mga mata ni Shy eh.”

The search for Ruth Liwanag took a while as well. When Matti announced to Flores that Sarah was cast for the unglamorous and tough role of Ruth, Flores was initially doubtful.

“Ruth is the main protagonist. There was no sidekick, no love team, so there is a lot of responsibility riding on the character. But when you watch the movie, Sarah disappears and all you’re seeing is Ruth,” Flores quips.

Rated R-13 by MTRCB, the film is dark and twisted – Shy leaps from the second storey of her house a few minutes into the film. The flick discusses cults, sex and human frailties. As much as it explores possession by the devil, “Ang Pagsanib” probes a much more searing question.

Sure it’s a horror film, but it doesn’t rely on the only apparent evil that takes control of Leah’s life. In what Sarah describes as an “intelligent and modern film,” the movie also poses the inner workings of  human nature, the demons inside of us, and how fragile innocence can be.

Flores admits that it’s not in her personal taste to make films that preach. But if there was anything that could be had from “Ang Pagsanib,” it’s that good and evil isn’t as simple as black and white.

“Saan ba talaga nanggagaling ang kasamaan?” Flores says of the film’s questions.

“Is evil the work of the demons in the Bible? Are they the terrifying ones taught to us as kids? Or are they the same creatures we see every time we look in the mirror? At kung totoo sila, alin ang mas nakakatakot?” (FREEMAN)