A Binibini is at the helm

There are women directors and women directors (from the likes of Consuelo “Ateng” Osorio and Susana de Guzman circa the ‘50s and ‘60s; to Laurice Guillen, Marilou Diaz-Abaya following them; and the new breed that includes Olivia Lamasan, Rory Quintos and Gina Alajar). And then there’s Joyce Bernal, the only one who affixes “Bb.” before her name.

Is it to emphasize her being a woman (empowerment) in an aspect of filmmaking once perceived to be male-dominated?

“Wala lang,” said Bb. Joyce. “Trip ko lang when I was a film editor.”

Editing is something she just can’t leave behind even if she’s preoccupied with directing. During this phone interview, Bb. Joyce was busy editing her latest work, Star Cinema’s Da Possessed (opening on Black Saturday, April 19), a horror spoof which marks the comeback of Vhong Navarro after he survived a real-life harrowing experience, with Solenn Heussaff as leading lady.

The “binibini” can be, you know, one of the boys, on equal footing with them especially over red wine or vodka (no beer, please).

“Just one or two shots, pampasaya lang,” she clarified. “More than that, masyado nang masaya. Malalasing na ako and I can’t direct anymore.”

Some people are wondering if you are related to Ishmael Bernal.

“No, I’m not.”

But I suppose you have seen some of Ishmael’s movies…

“Oo naman. Mas Bernal ako more than (Lino) Brocka.”

Why?

“Mas gusto ko ‘yung grit ng movies ni Bernal. Sir Lino’s films are more socially-relevant. ‘Yung tapang ni Bernal is more internal. At mas baliw siya, mas matindi ang tupak niya, so I like him even more for that.”

At what point in your life did you realize that you wanted to be a director?

“Ah…I think it was on my second movie, Dahil May Isang Ikaw (with Aga Muhlach and Regine Velasquez), that I realized na gusto ko ang directing. Until then, I just wanted to do editing. That movie is one of my favorites among those that I’ve done, including Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw (also with Regine and Robin Padilla) and Booba (with Rufa Mae Quinto).”

You took up scriptwriting under Ricky Lee, didn’t you?

“Yes, it was Ricky Lee who awakened my passion for movies.”

Did you have any formal education in filmmaking?

“Yes. I studied Film and Audio-Visual Communication sa UP.”

Aside from Ishmael, who are the other directors who have influenced your style?

“Among local directors, pinaka-gusto ko si Chito Roño. I love the way he mounts his films. He is able to create shots that you think are impossible to do. Also, baliw din siya. I love directors who are baliw kasi baliw din ako, eh. Among foreign directors, my idol is Martin Scorsese. Baliw din yata siya, di ba?”

You are an all-around director, at ease in all genres — action, drama, comedy, musical. Saan ka pinaka-at-home?

“Comedy. My approach in comedy is parang lalaki, medyo bastos.”

You are back to comedy in your latest work, Da Possessed. It’s not the first time you are working with Vhong, is it?

“I’ve directed Vhong in a few films — Mr. Suave, Agent X-44 and D’Anothers.”

I’m sure you are familiar with Vhong’s comic style. How has the recent incident affected it, if it did?

“He has reinvented himself through the years. His hosting It’s Showtime has helped hone his comic style. Napapanahon din ang jokes niya. Even before what recently happened to him, talagang mahusay siyang mag-bitiw, mahusay siyang mag-ad-lib. Oftentimes kasi, if an actor comes from television, you need to adjust his pacing. With Vhong, he’s fast so kahit ako, kelangan ko humabol sa kanya.”

It’s a good thing that Vhong is back in tip-top shape and his style wasn’t cramped by that incident. 

“Because of what happened, the shoot was called off. When we resumed, I noticed that Vhong was really affected by what happened. You see, comedy is confidence…you know, na kaya mong ibato ‘yung linya, you make fun of yourself and your co-actors. In the beginning, medyo hindi siya ganun ka-confident, medyo alanganin siya how Solenn would react. He was also conscious of the reaction not only of his other co-stars but also of other people on the set. So I told the people around, ‘Let’s not make him conscious, otherwise hindi siya kokonekta at hindi siya bibitaw.’ At first, ni hindi siya nakikipag-eye contact with anybody. I talked to Vhong to make him feel relaxed. Before long, he was back to his old self.”

What is the advantage of a woman director?

“I may sound feminist but I think women directors have a certain respect for the characters. You know, hindi sila ‘yung kapag masama kang tao, talagang masama-masama ka. They have reservations. They may be judgmental in presenting a character but not as judgmental as (male) directors.”

And the disadvantage?

“They are more emotional. Lumalabas ang kanilang maternal instinct. Like in the case of Vhong, I’m over-protective of him, masyado akong sensitive for him. Because of my respect for what happened to him, I couldn’t really push him as hard as I wanted to; ayoko siyang madaliin. I don’t want to pressure him into moving on. Dahil sa respeto ko sa kanya, ‘yung mga dati kong gusto ipagawa sa kanya, hindi ko magawa, unlike noong bago siya nabugbog.”

Was it challenging directing a movie when you were pregnant (12 years ago)?

“I was directing Sharon (Cuneta) and Robin at that time, in Pagdating ng Panahon. It was hard, especially during the first few months when I was infanticipating (naglilihi).”

Your daughter is 12 years old. How are you as a mom?

“Uhm, okay lang; chill lang.”

Many people are wondering…is Robin the father of your child? (Robin is among Joyce’s close friends, including Judy Ann Santos and Aga Muhlach)?

“Hindi, eh. People have been asking me that question. No, it’s not Robin but his friend.” (No further comment.)

What is your dream project? (She has done more than 30 movies.)

“A sex-drama, love-triangle. May grit, may sex, at masakit. A crime of passion.”

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