Roxanne plays an empowered woman in int’l movie

MANILA, Philippines - Reason over emotion is the battle cry of Roxanne Barcelo’s character in the psychological-thriller Way of the Cross. The Kaizen Studios film sees Roxanne as Maria, the church volunteer wife of Rafael Rosell’s Michael. Maria and the ensemble of characters, whose lives somehow interact with each other, are set in the milieu where a series of killings takes place during Holy Week and an FBI agent is lured to uncover what has triggered it.

“More than being emotional, she’s very cerebral, she’s very mental,” described Roxanne of Maria in a brief one-on-one with The STAR. “Her brain is the one that rules her.”

Perhaps living up to the hybrid genre, Roxanne scrimped on giving juicy details about her meaty role, which, according to the Viva Artist talent, is “the most out-of-the-box role I have done” thus far. “Sometimes, we (actors) play roles that are very close to us or we share certain similarities with the characters. (With Maria,) I’ve never experienced any of the things that she (went through) and I’ve only heard stories (about her plight).” Since she was challenged to create a totally different person from her previous dramatis personae, Roxanne watched interviews and YouTube videos of and read articles about people who became Maria at some point in their lives. “I can’t say what exactly she went through. What I can say is, (there were) twists and turns in her life.” These surprise detours also resonate all throughout the movie, which banks on the power of film in depicting life.

Given the movie title and Maria’s daily work, one can’t help but get intrigued by the religious themes embedded in its storyline. “The term religious, for me, can be interpreted in so many ways. (It) could be good or bad,” said Roxanne. “You’re doing things because of traditions (since) they are passed on to you and not because you believe in them. (However,) some people practice things because they believe in them. They had certain experiences that brought them to that faith or religion.” Based on that, the conflict Maria might face in the narrative is internal and personal. “Let’s just say that your faith is separated from the church and your church is separated from people, people are separated from your beliefs. Sometimes kasi inapi ka ng isang tao, ayaw mo sa religion na ito.”

Is Maria’s spiritual experience being defined by her group affiliation or by her personal relationship with Him? That’s something film enthusiasts will look forward to when Way of the Cross mounts its special screening soon. Also in the cast are Anthony Diaz V (also the film’s screenwriter and Break’s director), Alvin Anson, Daiana Menezes, Giovanni Respall, Miguel Vasquez, Oz Rivera, Yussef Esteves, Danielle Chopin and Jordan Castillo.

What else Roxanne can say about Maria?

“She had certain thoughts as a child, had certain feelings and actions as a child... she is an empowered woman. She is patient and she loves her partner deeply,” she replied.

Prior to filming the Gorio Vicuña and Antonio Diaz-directed full-length, Roxanne wrapped up another movie Blood Hunters early this year and starred as aswang (shapeshifting, blood-thirsty monster) slayer. Like the Way of the Cross, it will also have its international release (in China and in the US). She is also the lead, opposite Wil Devaughn, in the independent film I Found My Heart in Sta. Fe. They went to Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu to shoot the movie.

With that, 2017 is an exciting year for Roxanne who has already “done three films and it is only May,” she said. Meanwhile, on the small screen, Roxanne was seen as Nathalie, the mayor’s possessive girlfriend in Wildflower. Many praised her performance as a kontrabida. “They say my role will come back,” she shared. “Kailangan lang niya ng paghuhugutan... I don’t know what’s gonna happen. We don’t know what’s gonna happen. We (usually) get the script a week before (taping). No one really knows what’s gonna happen. I will just (follow) where Nathalie goes.”

As an artist, Roxanne wants “to become a character actress. That’s really my goal, meaning makakalimutan mo dapat si Roxanne in every role (you won’t see any traces of me). That’s what I want to happen.” Roxanne also added that she auditioned in all her international projects and the roles were not given to her on a silver platter. Off the acting grid, she hosts reality show Bet Mo Ba? on Viva channel.

Having done local and international productions, Roxanne never fails to remind herself to “always do your best. It doesn’t matter how small or big the production is or how small or big the role is. Do your best, yun ang laging binubulong ng mom ko,” and she sticks to it wherever her career will take her.