“SISID” is a Vivamax movie about the love story between two men, Paolo Gumabao as Jason and Vince Rillon as Dennis, but it is definitely not your usual Boys Love or BL movie since the director is no less than Brillante Mendoza, who won the Cannes International Filmfest best director award for “Kinatay” and whose “Ma Rosa” won the Cannes best actress plum.
He earlier debuted in Vivamax with “Palitan”, a certified hit which is about Girls Love between Cara Gonzales and Jela Cuenca. Now, he deals with Boys love in “Sisid”.
Filmed on location in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, Direk Dante says “Sisid” is not just a kilig or titillating BL film.
“Seryoso ang treatment namin dito about the relationship that blossomed between two young men,” he says. “And we’re lucky to have Paolo and Vince kasi they understand the material at wala silang kaarte-arte in doing the delicate scenes. It was just very natural for them.”
He didn’t even have to convince them to romance each other for the camera.
“Alam na nila yung mga dapat na gagawin nila. They will take off their clothes and do what the scene calls for. Ganun lang. I also want to thank the mayor of Pola, former actress Ina Alegre, for all her help when we shot the movie there.”
In the story, Paolo Gumabao (who starred in “Lockdown”) plays a marine biologist who is assigned to Mindoro with his wife, played by Kylie Versoza.
Vince Rillon (who stars in the current Vivamax hit, “Siklo”), has a girlfriend who’s already pregnant, Christine Bermas (also his leading lady in “Siklo”), and wants to abort the baby.
Sparks fly between Paolo and Vince as they start working together. What can Direk Brillante say to bashers who comment that he is now into sex films?
“Lets face it, sex sells. But the sex here is very much an integral part of the story. I hope they watch it muna before they pass judgment.”
How is it working with his four stars? “With Vince & Christine, I’ve worked with them both na before, so they know my style. First time ko with Paolo and Kylie, pero I can see sobra nilang gusto ang ginagawa nila. They’re really serious in what they do at gusto nilang mapaganda ang work nila and I really appreciate yung commitment nila sa ginagawa nila.”
What about the observation that “Sisid” as a title has been used before in another movie and also a teleserye?
“It’s not a problem with me kung may iba ng ganun din ang title, but this one really suits our story. Kung ayaw ng Viva, Boss Vic would tell me naman not to use it na, but wala naman silang sinabing ganun, so just watch ‘Sisid’.”
“Sisid” will have its world premiere via an exclusive digital event on January 18. For only P499, be the first to experience the gripping narrative of “Sisid” plus you get to e-meet the cast and the director with this one-night-only event.
Then, the next day, January 19, “Sisid” starts streaming on Vivamax Plus, the newest pay-per-view service of Viva. For only P299, you get to witness Brillante Mendoza’s newest obra maestra, “Sisid”, right at the comfort of your homes. “Sisid” starts streaming on Vivamax on March 18.
