Quark and the Keka of his heart

If you were to ask the people involved in the making of Keka, the sophomore outing of hip and hot filmmaker Quark Henares seemed like a mighty challenge, in more ways than one.

It took one big artistic stretch for both Quark and his team of talented professionals. A leap of faith, no doubt. The actors especially were allowed to push themselves further, to explore hitherto unexplored parts of their craft.

That was actually how nubile nymphet Katya Santos, Materyales Fuertes of the Viva Hot Babes stable, felt. It was as if she was asked to step out of the confines of her comfort zone and tackle a role that is a departure from her sultry characterizations in the past (like Sukdulan and Sex Drive).

"The role is totally difrerent," Katya confirms. "The movie itself is really unique."

Katya plays the title role of Keka, a child-woman who suffers the loss of her boyfriend and copes by going on a murder spree against the frat men who wronged her. Keka is a darkly rich and complex character – a cross between La Femme Nikita and Amelie.

"She’s brusko," Katya describes her onscreen persona. "She’s brutal. She’s a killer."

To prepare for the movie, Katya actually watched La Femme Nikita, upon direk Quark’s suggestion. When the cameras started grinding, however, Quark was plesantly surprised with Katya’s on screen transformation.

"She delivered more than what I expected of her," Quark quips. "She is a pro. Very game. I felt useless as a director because she could easily accomplish what I instruct her to do, even without my help."
She was also very much willing to go as far as the character would take her, unmindful even of the cuts and bruises in her wild fight scenes with Ryan Eigenmann.

"They were a joy to work with," Quark recalls.

Just as impressive was Keka‘s bitter (or is it better?) half in the film, Jason, portrayed by Wendell Ramos. It is Wendell’s second time to work with Quark, in fact.

"I was so fulfilled with his performance in Gamitan, that I specifically asked for him to play Jason," Quark reveals. "He is super cooperative. You only need to tell him once and he knows exactly what to do. He delivered what I expected of him and I had very high expectations of him."

To think that Quark originally conceived the project with Jolina Magdangal and Epi Quizon in the lead roles. After Katya and Wendell were cast, Quark remained focused on his goal and was gratified to find two just-as-passionate collaborators in Katya and Wendell.

Wendell volunteers that Keka was also draining for him – physically, mentally, emotionally.

"It‘s really difficult because it’s suspense-comedy," Wendell elaborates. "You have to shift quickly from being serious to being funny. Imagine, you need to internalize a dramatic moment and then suddenly crack a joke at the end of the scene. It was very demanding."

But Wendell soon got the hang of it, with a little help from his director and fellow actors.

"I always listen to my director," Wendell relates. "I always consult him. I ask him if what I did was enough. If it was right." Wendell describes their on-the-set camaraderie as almost familial.

"We’re like brothers and sisters on the set," Wendell affirms. "And Quark is very open to us. He willingly listens to our suggestions. He even asks for our opinions."

"We‘re like one big barkada (gang) on the set," Katya proffers. "But on the set, I still look up to Quark as my director. The respect is still there."

Quark himself acknowledges that Keka presented precious opportunities for him to learn more about his craft.

"It‘s really different," Quark expounds. "For one thing, it’s a dark comedy. It’s not a formula film. Most movies these days are either romantic-comedies or sexy dramas. Keka is neither. It has a little action. A little comedy. A little suspense. Pang Gen X."

Even when it comes to storytelling, writer-director Quark says that Keka goes against the grain.

"Structure-wise, it also deviates from the usual. First it follows the story of Keka, then jumps to the story of Jason," Quark pipes up. "Until their paths cross. I’m actually scared about how viewers will take the concept. It’s really a big risk."

But risk-taking, Quark fervently believes, could very well revitalize Pinoy cinema and elevate it from the doldrums of mediocrity and formula moviemaking.

"Another challenge in Keka is making the viewers fall in love with Katya’s character," Quark owns up. "Considering how negative her role is. She’s a killer, but the way Katya plays her, she still ends up so adorable. So lovable."

Upping the ante, Keka is particularly close to Quark’s heart. It‘s his dream project – a movie idea he has been nurturing in his mind since his teen years.

"I’ve always wanted to do this movie," Quark reiterates. "I never thought that I would be given the chance to do it. That is why, after seeing the rushes, I felt so excited. I’ve never been so happy in my life!"