“It’s not just a matter of bringing back sexy films,” he says. “Right now, local viewers are offered only three kinds of films: romantic love stories, horror, and indie films. ‘Rigodon’ is sexy but it’s a different kind of sexy film. Lahat ng love scenes dito, tuhog, shot in one long take that runs for 5 to 6 minutes. Kaya madugo ang rehearsal namin kasi kapag nagkamali ang three main actors na sina Yam Concepcion, John James Uy and Maxine Eigenmann, inuulit ko ang buong eksena. One love scene, inabot ng 15 takes before they perfected it kasi ayoko nung may putol.”
Why is the title “Rigodon”? “Kasi the story starts with the character of Yam as Sarah, a young woman dumped by her boyfriend who meets the host of a TV shopping show, John James as Riki. They become friends, he woos her, they end up in bed. Then we follow Riki going home. Sarah doesn’t know he’s married to Maxine as Regine. Then we take the point of view the wife, Regine. From there, the film shifts to all the various characters, kaya ‘Rigodon’, palipat-lipat sa kanila.”
All his stars are newcomers. Do they act well? “Yes, they all deliver. For Yam’s role, we auditioned 40 girls. Siya yung standout. Sweet and innocent ang dating, pero palaban pala. For John’s role, we auditioned about 70 guys, pero marami, ayaw mag-bold. Si John, game na game. Si Maxine, given nang magaling kasi she comes from the Eigenmann clan. They took a sensuality workshop to make them comfortable with each other in doing the sexy love scenes.”
“Rigodon” will have its premiere at Robinson’s Galleria this Tuesday and opens nationwide on Wednesday.
