‘Virgin Forest’ is jarring, yet eye-opening film

“Virgin Forest,” a new film from famed director Brillante Mendoza, is not for the faint-hearted. The images of sex and violence has a jarring effect on the viewer, but Mendoza wanted it that way to startle audiences and make them think.

Viewing the film can be harsh on the audience but the story of the rape of our forest, exploitation of women, and the use of violence is an age-old problem that should not be swept under the rug. Behind the beauty of the forest lies greed, lust, and violence perpetrated by men in power. We cannot turn a blind eye to the reality that it still happens in this day and age.

Sid Lucero lends his impeccable screen presence and superb acting portraying the journalist Francis. The confusion and bewilderment that torments him as he goes deeper into the forest engulfs him until he can’t think straight no more.

Giving him ample support is Vince Rillon whose acting gets better and better with every movie he does. Angeli Khang proves she is more than a sexy star, holding her own against Sid in their dramatic scenes. Ditto with the explosive confrontation she had with her grandma, played by Erlinda Villalobos.

Angeli gets to show more of her acting and is proud of it. Thanks to her director, she gets to show her potential as an actress.

“Virgin Forest” says a lot about corruption, rape of the environment and the way society treats women. True, there are snakes in the forest. Pray that it doesn’t bite you.

Mendoza took it upon himself to tackle various issues in “Virgin Forest”, which starts streaming on Vivamax today, when it was greenlighted by Viva for production.

“We all know that the audience of Vivamax looks for sex so there is the theme of prostitution. I just don’t want to use prostitution to show nudity, love scenes and all. They are all intentional, not just to shock viewers but also for us to have critical thinking,” he explained.

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Kapuso heartthrob and award-winning actor Edgar Allan Guzman plays the male lead in director Joel Lamangan’s new film for AQ Prime. Titled “Peyri Teyl,” this is a comedy written by Eric Ramos, who wrote “Isa Pang Bahaghari” and “Rainbow’s Sunset.”

EA plays the role of a shy and timid gay from the province who gets the chance to be granted three wishes by a fairy godmother.

The last time EA played gay was in the Vivamax movie “Huling Beki sa Balatlupa”, also directed by Lamangan.

According to “Peyri Teyl” line producer Dennis Evangelista, the movie has a lot of rib-tickling scenes guaranteed to make audiences laugh from beginning to end.

EA probably liked the script written by Ramos that’s why he accepted offer. When he did the award-winning “Deadma Walking” in 2017 for which he won a number of Best Supporting Actor awards, he said that will shy away from accepting gay parts.

“Peyri Teyl” was first offered to EA although Direk Joel was supposedly eyeing another actor for the role. But the filmmaker decided against it as he was kind of worried that they might encounter a problem with the actor’s management if they will get him for the character.

EA is a good choice as he is a competent actor, as proven by his movies and television shows.

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