Chito undisputed Horror King

There’s a fright night and there’s a fright season. The latter is upon us, and we are swamped with horror movies that scramble over one another in trying to scare the wits out of us. You have your own favorite horror movie or suspense-thriller, and I have mine. And what scares you may not necessarily scare me. Just the same, experts say that a little scare every once in a while is good for everybody.

Because some tricks have been repeated over and over again, reinvented and dusted off as new, we shrug them off as, well, tama na, kumita na ‘yan, tricks such as a black cat meowing in the dark with eyes burning like giant coals, a dog in a blood-curdling wail in the distance (yes, gabi ng lagim!!!), skeletons prowling an abandoned mansion…and what about the white lady along Balete Drive immortalized in a 1954 movie Hiwaga sa Balete Drive starring Rosita Noble (remember her?) and remade by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes in 1988 (with Zsa Zsa Padilla)?

My all-time favorite is The Innocents, the 1961 psychological thriller based on Henry James’ story The Turn of the Screw starring Deborah Kerr as a woman who takes a governess job for two orphans in a Victorian home where she begins to see what she believes are ghosts and suspects the children’s bizarre behavior is the result of supernatural powers. The movie is scary without really trying to scare you, without showing anything scary at all, but you feel your hair raising and you feel goose bumps as the curtains gently swing on a windless night and strange figures as if floating to and fro. (Watch it and see for yourself what I mean.)

I also enjoy watching Chito Roño’s suspense-thrillers (Feng Shui 1 and 2, Sukob, The Healing, etc.) and I’m curious how Chito will drive me to the edge of a (silent?) scream in his latest outing, Star Cinema’s The Ghost Bride which is opening nationwide on Wednesday, Nov. 1. (See related story on Page D4 what The Ghost Bride is all about.)

Let’s hear it from Chito, the Horror King.

Why are you so fascinated with suspense-thrillers?

“I love suspense thrillers, both in movies and novels. Since reading The Godfather and The Exorcist in the ‘70s and getting scared while enjoying the thrill I have never missed a thriller since then.”

I understand that your movies are generally inspired by and based on long-held superstitions and traditions. What do you find intriguing about them?

“My take of twisting the rather mundane practice of feng shui, the local superstition on sukob and the even the miracle healing fad of the ’80s were rather experiments that worked. I was focused more on the need of the protagonists and how in moments of associated with joy an unexpected evil comes into (and ruins) their lives.

“Ghost bride is an obscure tradition and is now banned in China. But even this has something fascinating behind it…to honor those unmarried departed by paying to have an imaginary partner for them to honor and pray for them as though they were real family. In my movie, the intention of the matchmaker is rather nefarious and, once again, something predatory.”

How was it working with Kim Chiu (who is Chinese)?

At the presscon for The Ghost Bride, from left: Director Chito Roño, Kim Chiu and Matteo Guidicelli. Produced by Star Cinema, the movie is opening nationwide on Wednesday, Nov. 1.

“Kim is not only pure Chinese but also of age for marriage. In the movie, her character believes that she is engaged to be married. Kim is one of those actors who turn out to be serious in their profession and is willing to take risky roles.”

Your home province (Samar) is noted for stories about the netherworld. What are some of those you remember from your childhood?

“I grew up during a time of no media in Samar. Instead of all those devices we were instead told tales. Those stories were often not based on veracity and instead relied on its capacity to hold interest. Many of those stories were supernatural in nature. There was a time I read every Stephen King novel, some Anne Rice and William Peter Blatty, stories by Edgar Alan Poe, and countless Pilipino komiks.”

Matteo on Chito: At first, I thought he was intimidating

And here’s Matteo Guidicelli, the lead actor in The Ghost Bride:

Is this your first time to be directed by Chito Roño?

“Yes. I primarily accepted the project because of him, a director that I’ve always wanted to work with. I think I can say that for all other actors. He was very intimidating at first from all the ‘horror stories’ I was hearing about him. Co-actors were telling me he was very strict and all that.

“Well, I experienced it all for myself. He’s very meticulous for the right reasons. You really had to listen to his instructions very carefully, from blocking, beats and nuances. Direk Chito knows what he wants. Shooting turned out to be a great experience. As an actor, I learned a lot and it challenged me. You just always had to be prepared once you stepped foot on the set.”

Describe your character.

“I play Clinton, half-Filipino and half-Chinese. Clinton is a man who loves with a childish heart, a man who couldn’t make decisions on his own.”

Any other horror movie that you have done?

“I’ve done an episode of Shake Rattle and Roll, directed by Perci Intalan.”

How was Kim (also from Cebu like you) as co-star?

“Kim is a delight to work with. The fact that she is also a Cebuano makes it almost perfect. She’s extremely hard-working and passionate. Most importantly, she brings good vibes into the working environment. Kim’s performance in this film is something to look out for. It’s really a film about a woman and that’s her. She brilliantly carries the film from beginning to end.”

What scene did you find scariest?

“I’d say my final scene with Kim’s character Mayen was the scariest for me. It’s a confrontation scene when I found out that she became a Ghost Bride.”

Do you believe in ghosts?

“I believe they are out there and they deserve prayers and respect.”

Scariest movie that you have seen?

“From the top of my mind, The Grudge. Am I afraid of the dead and do I look at the dead in the coffin? It depends. There are some loved ones who passed away that I still wish I’d be able to see…in spirit form.”

If you were to scare Kim, how would you do it?

“Kim is easy to scare. Just show her a cat, hahahaha!!!”

What about Sarah (Geronimo), your girlfriend?

“I’d bring her to a high place. She has fear of heights kasi.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)