John Prats dips into the indie genre

John Prats is in the cast of  the indie film titled “Sitio,” a film by Mes de Guzman, which is an entry to the Cinema One Originals Plus, a new category in the yearly indie filmfest organized by the Cinema One channel headed by Ronald Arguelles.

This is the first time for John to do an indie film and the ABS-CBN star said he had been offered to do an indie in the past but it always fell through. For some reason, most of the indie film projects which came his way did not materialize. John says he has no idea how an indie film is done but when he was offered by de Guzman to be part of “Sitio,” he felt he has found what he’s looking for and readily accepted the offer.

“I feel, with this film, nakuha ko ang gusto ko, not necessarily ‘yung kailangan ko,” said John at the presscon of Cinema One Originals Plus held at the 9501 Restaurant at the ELJ Building in the ABS-CBN compound.

“Doing an indie film is truly a remarkable experience and I can say unforgettable as well. You can feel the love for the job, the passion, and the artistry. I must say I did the right thing in accepting this project. I really wanted to do the film and I felt the hunger to do a movie again.”

“Sitio” is a psychological thriller from the script and direction of Mes De Guzman (who was behind the award-winning “Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong,” “Diablo,” and “Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti”). This is a story of siblings from an upper middle class family who decided to go to the province to lead a simple life. What they didn’t know is that living in the barrio is different and they are many scary things that they may encounter. Also in the cast are Ria Garcia, Anja Aguilar, Arnold Reyes, Biboy Ramirez, RK Bagatsing and Jess Mendoza.

Cinema One Originals runs from Nov. 11 to 19 at Glorietta, Trinoma and Robinson’s Galleria cinemas.

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One of the busiest actresses in the indie film scene is newcomer Chanel Latorre. Would you believe that this year alone she was able to do ten indies? Her last movie was “The Rebel Is Also a Poet” which was screened at the Sineng Pilipino Festival of TV5.

Last July, Chanel starred in “Babagwa,” an entry in the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. Chanel says acting is now her passion. This Nursing graduate, who is also dreaming to become a doctor someday, was drawn into acting and found immense pleasure in it. She started acting in 2009 but cut it short to finish her Nursing course.

“I really love acting so much. I put my whole heart and soul into it. I am very happy that I was able to do quite number of indie films this year. I guess I am doing a good job that’s why I am getting acting assignments from different directors. I am also happy to be given the chance to do varied roles, some of them very far from my real persona,” explains Chanel.

In the Cinema One Plus category, Chanel is part of the cast of the movie “Woman of the Ruins” together with Alessandra de Rossi, Art Acuña, Elizabeth Oropesa, Peque Gallaga, Moises Magisa, Joe Gruta and Rolando Inocencio. The movie is directed by Keith Sicat. This is a science fiction about a story that happened in an island which is often ravaged by typhoons. One day, a person whom they thought to be dead, comes back and there came forth numerous reactions on the person’s return  to the island.

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Ruby Ruiz had already done several movies under Brillante Mendoza but according to the Cinemalaya Best Supporting Actress awardee for “Ekstra,” she is playing her most unique role yet in the horror flick “Sapi,” directed by the Cannes Best Director awardee.

“This is the most challenging role I played in my entire career,” said the award-winning character actress in our interview at the presscon of “Sapi.” “I am playing the role of a woman na sinapian ng masamang espiritu pero ang gustong atake ni Direk Brillante sa role ay yung non-acting. Paano ko kaya magagawa iyon eh na-possessed nga ang role ko kaya naman talagang na-challenge ako,” she said.

Ms. Ruby also added that during the shot of the scene where she was supposedly being possessed, she felt different, as if she was really being possessed. Aside from the fact that a real quack doctor was doing the scene with her and driving away the spirit that supposedly possessed her, Ruby felt something really strange during the shoot.

“Sa isang eksena na may inilagay sila sa mga daliri ko sa paa, grabeng sakit ang naramdaman ko kaya napasigaw talaga ako. Naranasan ko nang manganak pero ‘yung sakit na naramdaman ko that time ay never ko pa naramdaman kaya ang pakiramdam ko ay talagang nasapian ako,” Ruby recalled.

“I was conscious that I was just acting out a role of a woman possessed pero naiisip ko na dapat makabalik din ako sa aking sarili. I was afraid that I might be really possessed and I might lose track of my sensibilities. Baka di na ako makabalik sa sarilli ko. It was really a chilling experience.”

“Sapi” also features Dennis Trillo, Meryll Soriano and Baron Geisler. This is produced by Solar Films of Wilson Tieng and Centerstage Productions of Brillante Mendoza.