Director Diane Ventura Introduces Loren Burgos As Her Lead Actress For The Psychological Drama, 'Mulat'

ONE OF THE entries in the Metro-Manila Filmfest New Wave section is “Mulat (Awakened)”, written and directed by Diane Ventura, starring Jake Cuenca, Ryan Eigenmann and introducing Loren Burgos in the female lead role. Diane used to be just known as Ely Buendia’s ex but she is definitely coming to her own as a filmmaker. After debuting in the short film “TheRapist” (a play on the words therapist and the rapist), she now directs her first full length feature which won best actor award for Jake Cuenca in the International Filmfest at Manhattan, plus the Best Director – Global Feature award for her. What’s “Mulat” all about? “It’s about Sam, a woman with a strange mental affliction,” says Direk Diane. “She is about to wed her fiancé but then, she meets another guy and starts having nightmares so she seeks the help of a hypnotherapist who brings her to an altered state of consciousness.”

Playing Sam is newcomer Loren Burgos, with Ryan Eigenmann as her fiancé and Jake Cuenca as the new guy. “We had an open casting call for the role of Sam and the moment Loren entered the room, she made an impact with me and I knew she’s my Sam. This is her first lead role but she delivers. Hindi siya nasapawan ng more experienced stars working with her. She’s like a breath of fresh air kasi hindi aral ang acting niya kundi mas natural lang.”

Loren, a Vanessa del Bianco lookalike, is a 24-year old balikbayan from Los Angeles. “I was born here in Manila but my family migrated to the U.S. when I was 10. I first came home when I was 20 to join Mutya ng Pilipinas. I tried acting in the U.S. and I had a short role in ‘New Girl’ of Zoey Deschanel. I took acting workshops with ABS-CBN and did bit roles in ‘Home Sweetie Home’ and ‘Maria Mercedes’. I feel so blessed nakuha ko rito sa ‘Mulat’. My role is so complex at nahirapan ako as I was in every scene and had to memorize long lines of dialogue. First time ko to work with Jake and Ryan and I want to thank them dahil sobrang bait nila at inalalayan nila ako in interpreting my role.”

“Mulat” is an entry in the Metro Filmfest New Wave section and will be shown at SM Megamall and Glorietta from December 17 to 24.