‘Nuuk’ stars, crew struggled with Greenland’s sub-zero weather

CEBU, Philippines — It seems like there is one common denominator in every successful filming of a Filipino movie overseas – the contribution of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in helping the whole cast and crew achieve the realization of a worthwhile project.

The making of “Nuuk,” a psychological thriller top billed by award-winning actors Aga Muhlach and Alice Dixson, which is the first Filipino movie filmed in Greenland, is no exception for the courtesy of the OFW community living in the area.

The much anticipated reunion movie of Muhlach and Dixson is directed by Veronica Velasco, the director of “Through Night and Day” starring Alessandara De Rossi and Paolo Contis which was nominated Best Picture by FAMAS and Gawad Urian.

The filmmaker shared how the OFWs, most of them Visayan, helped them while shooting in the capital city of Greenland, Nuuk.

“Kung hindi dahil sa kanila, hindi namin matatapos yung shoot,” she said.

Velasco said the sub-zero weather of Nuuk was the most challenging part in shooting the flick.

“We were shooting at a -17 degree weather. Hindi siya biro,” she disclosed in a recent digital press conference for the Cebu press.

The “Nuuk” team were able to cope with the extreme weather thanks to the assistance of “kababayans” residing in that part of Greenland.

Velasco said the OFWs would make sure they were wearing the right clothing fit for the very cold weather and would bring them food at their location.

“Kahit nandun kami sa pinakasulok ng Nuuk, andyan sila…may bitbit silang mga kape. They made sure that we were alright,” she shared.

Velasco further said that the cast and crew would stay outside for at most 10 hours in a very low temperature which is crucial for some who are not used to such weather.

Up until now, they still communicate with the OFWs they met in Nuuk with whom they created a strong bond.

“Nuuk,” currently in theaters, is produced in cooperation with the Embassy of Denmark and is the first Filipino movie to be included in the Danish Film Festival in Manila.

The story revolves around Elaisa Svendsen (Dixson) and Mark Alvarez (Muhlach).  Elaisa, a Filipina immigrant in Nuuk struggling to get over her dead husband, meets Mark who lent her a hand while she was facing her struggles and eventually falls in love with him. While everything seems to be going well, Mark leaves without a trace which marks the beginning of the conflict, leading to a life-shattering mystery.

Velasco expressed her delight in working with two of the most celebrated actors in the industry. She said both Muhlach and Dixson are easy to work with.

“Kahit anong ipagawa sa kanila, gagawin nila. They talk of their characters very well. Ang daming notes ni Alice sa script niya tapos si Aga ang daming sina-suggest sa kwento relating to his character,” said Velasco.

Muhlach, for his part, disclosed that “Nuuk” is a very interesting and unique movie. They wanted to make the viewers think, experience the silence of Greenland, and discover the mystery behind their characters.

“Just when you think, na habang pinapanood mo yung pelikula, you know already what’s gonna happen…you’re wrong. Because mag-iiba nang mag-iiba, and then habang nag-iiba, mag-iiba pa siya nang mag-iiba,” the actor said.

His leading lady said that in preparation for filming, they studied their script, prepared their bodies for the cold weather, brought the proper clothing, and made sure that their schedule was open for a month to continuously shoot.

“Nuuk” is Muhlach and Dixson’s reunion movie after 27 years. They have worked together in “Joey Boy Munti” (1991) and “Sinungaling Mong Puso” (1992), both directed by the late Maryo J. de los Reyes.