In “Septic Tank 2”, he reprises his role from the first movie as Rainier, an indie film director. “‘Septic Tank 1’ was the first movie I ever did,” he says. “That was in 2011 and after five years, marami nang nagbago kay Direk Rainier. Kilala na siya, he has won several awards for directing and he’s now married at may anak na, just like me in real life. So after six years, he wants to work again with Eugene Domingo. Si Cai Cortez as Jocelyn na production assistant niya sa first movie also repeats her role, but this time, siya na ang line producer. Ang P.A. this time is played by Khalil Ramos as Lenon, na just like Cai before, wala ring speaking lines.”
So Khalil replaces JM de Guzman who was his colleague in the first movie? “Yes, of course.”
Does he miss JM? “Siempre naman. Naging maging maganda ang bonding namin kasi first film ko, kasama ko siya, and I consider him as kapatid ko rito sa industriya. But I haven’t seen him lately so I really wish him well.”
So he clashes with Eugene in the making of the movie within a movie? “Yes, kasi yung script, which I myself wrote, is a personal project for me as it mirrors what is happening to me and my wife in real life. It’s a portrait of a marriage that’s about to crumble. Kaso may sariling ideas si Eugene na ipinipilit niya. I like Joel Torre to play the husband, pero si Jericho Rosales ang gusto niya and later, she even ends up with a teen actor. So, it’s basically a conflict with a director who has a vision and a big star with her own ideas, na nangyayari talaga sa industriya natin. Ang problema, ayaw ni Direk Rainier to meet halfway at mag-compromise. How this ends, makikita nyo sa movie. Nakakatawa talaga.”
We’ve seen the movie and Kean really gives a good performance as the beleaguered the director. Take note of his wordless last scene when he goes home to his apartment as it is very quiet and very touching.
