Mara, Alex in a daring movie

MANILA, Philippines - Finally showing in cinemas tomorrow, May 22, is Ato Bautista’s award-winning erotic thriller Palitan.

Set in the gritty corners of Raon, Quiapo, Palitan shows that in desperate times, bargains are made in exchange for heavy sacrifices.

The leads are played by showbiz scions Mara Lopez and Alex Medina. Mara is the daughter of beauty queen-turned-actress Maria Isabel Lopez and a darling of local independent films. While Alex is the son of veteran actor Pen Medina and a mainstay of the top-rating ABS-CBN teleserye Ina, Kapatid, Anak where he plays the character of Diego.

The script of Palitan required both young performers to do sensitive scenes. “My character is my polar opposite. The film took a lot from me. It was truly the most challenging role I had to portray not just physically but emotionally,” said Mara. “It was my first time to go bold or daring. And it was harder than I thought,” Alex admitted. In spite of the challenges, both did extremely well in the film. Mara and Alex won Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively at the Cinema One Originals Film Festival 2012.

The story begins with Nestor (Alex) who is heavily in debt to his boss Ramiro (Mon Confiado), owner of an electronics shop. One of Ramiro’s dangerous cravings is aimed at Nestor’s young, lovely common-law wife, Luisa (Mara). The love-starved and porn-tired Ramiro proposes a deal with Nestor: Secretly shoot Luisa’s naked body as she bathes and give the footage to him. If Nestor complies, his debt would supposedly disappear. Palitan is a film that pushes the characters into the limits of power play, love, lust, deceit, jealousy and pride.

Director Ato’s treatment is fearless. He said, “I always dare myself to do new things every time I make a film. For Palitan, I sought to shoot the longest and most steamy bed scene that I could.”

Palitan makes a daring move as it opens at the following Metro Manila theaters Shangri-La Cineplex, SM Megamall, Robinsons Galleria, SM North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM San Lazaro, SM Manila, SM Centerpoint, SM Fairview, SM Marikina, SM Southmall and Eastwood Cinema. It is also showing in SM Bacoor, SM San Fernando, Robinsons San Fernando, SM Clark Pampanga, Robinsons Sta. Rosa, Robinsons Lipa, SM Cebu, SM Davao, Robinsons Iloilo and Robinsons Bacolod. The film is rated R-16 without cuts by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.