Directing Ate Vi a ‘high point’ for Joyce Bernal

Bb. Joyce Bernal is upbeat at the chance given her by Star Cinema to be the director of “Everything About Her,” the comeback movie of Governor Vilma Santos after three years and the opening salvo of the film arm of ABS-CBN for 2016.

Direk Joyce said it was a big honor to be handed the opportunity to work with the multi-awarded actress and showbiz icon like Ate Vi. “Hindi mo dapat pag-isipan pa kung tatanggapin mo ang ganito kalaking project. Dapat yes agad ang sagot mo,” said the lady director at the presscon of “Everything About Her” last Sunday at the ELJ Building of the ABS-CBN compound.

She said she can consider directing the Star for All Seasons a high point in her career, if not the highest point. She didn’t want to think of the number of awards that Ate Vi had won or her lofty stature in the industry for she will surely be overwhelmed. What Direk Joyce did was to erase from her mind the idea that Ate Vi is an iconic figure. She wanted to start on a clean slate. Ate Vi is no Star for all Seasons. For the meantime, she is the just the lead actress of “Everything About Her.”

Direk Joyce says that strategy worked to her advantage. She did not become starstruck. “Ang problema ko pa naman eh nai-inlove ako sa mga nagiging artista ko kaya parang nakakaapekto ito sa trabaho ko,” she said. But with Ate Vi, it was different: not because she didn’t fall in love with her, but Ate Vi expressed her desire to be a close friend of Direk Joyce and wanted an opportunity to get to know the director better.

Direk Joyce believes they were able to make a beautiful film in “Everything About Her” because of the support given to her by the wonderful cast headed by Ate Vi, Angel Locsin and Xian Lim. She is confident that the audience will love this family drama about love and forgiveness that will open in cinemas on January 27.

And yes, Direk Joyce is looking forward to becoming a close friend of the outgoing Governor of Lipa City.

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It is a dream for Matteo Guidicelli to do an action film. That is why he is very thankful to BG Films International and producer Ms. Baby Go for giving him the lead role in the action movie “Tupang Ligaw” which opens February 3 in theaters nationwide.

“I have been dreaming to do an action movie and I am really glad that BG Films International thought of me when they planned this project. I may not be the first choice for the role that I am playing – an ex-Marine who is looking for his missing brother, but I am glad that I got the part,” said the Kapamilya heartthrob who was a former racing car champion before he got into showbiz.

Matteo took pains to prepare himself for the role. He did a number of death-defying stunts, which he was prepared for. Aside from undergoing training in martial arts, he had security consultants on set to guide him in action scenes.

“I wanted to do my own stunts to make it more authentic. I won’t indulge in the action scenes if I am not prepared for it. I am equipped for the role because of my athleticism and besides, we are guided on set how to do the stunts so we won’t get hurt,” said the aspiring action star. Matteo said he was taught hand defense and firearms techniques.

He added that there were instances that he and Paolo Contis (who plays El Diablo, the film’s villain) hurt each other unintentionally because they got carried away with the scene. “Okay lang naman since it’s part of the job. No pain, no gain. Besides, we needed to do the fight scenes and it was a thrill doing them.”

But it is not only the action sequences of Matteo that viewers ought to look out for. His drama scenes are also something to anticipate. These were so intense that those watching the scenes were moved by Matteo’s acting.

In the movie, Matteo plays the role of a soldier who is looking for his missing brother (Rico Barrera). His search takes him to Barrio Paraiso, a place that is full of evil and danger and is headed by El Diablo (Paolo Contis). Matteo’s character discovers the tragedy that befell his brother in the hands of El Diablo. He will meet the family of his brother (Ara Mina and child actor Johnny Regana). Will he be able to bring justice to his kin’s death? Can he save the people of Barrio Paraiso from the hell that they are in?

Ms. Baby Go, the Executive Producer of BG Productions, was impressed with the professionalism that Matteo showed while filming “Tupang Ligaw,” including his acting prowess. That’s why, Ms. Baby Go is thinking of doing a new project for Matteo, a Visayan movie to be shot in Cebu, the actor’s hometown. This should be much anticipated since it is going to be a major acting challenge for Matteo since he will play a poor fisherman, while his dialogue will be 90% Visayan.

“Tupang Ligaw” is a timely action film from the script and direction of famed komiks novelist Rod Santiago, whose novel “Bad Boy” made Robin Padilla a big star.