VIVAMAX HELD an online premiere night for the horror movie, “Bahay na Pula”, with its stars Julia Barretto, Marco Gumabao, Xian Lim and director Brillante Mendoza.
It was also a special meet and greet event with the fans who were given the rare chance to interview the stars directly and also to play online games with them where they get to win valuable prizes.
Julia Barretto gives her most daring performance in “Bahay na Pula”.
She has a rape scene in the film and it’s not any of her leading men, Marco Gumabao or Xian Lim, who violates her but an evil spirit. There is also a revealing scene showing her only in her undies.
Julia says she did it because she has full trust in her director, Cannes winner Brillante Mendoza. “It’s a leap of faith I have to take,” she adds.
“After all, it’s part of growing up and growing old if I really want to be committed to and passionate with my craft. I recently did another film, ‘Expensive Candy’, which also required a lot of courage on my part.
"So, little by little, nakakagawa ako ng kind of daring sexy films, just like yung mga ginagawa ni Marco Gumabao.”
Ultimately, she might make a project without any limitations.
“It’s not just about doing love scenes or doing daring things for the first time. It’s part of your willingness to show how committed you are in your profession as an actress.
"Ayoko rin namang masyadong magkaroon ng limitations, kasi siyempre, parang binibigyan ko rin ng limitations ‘yung mga taong nasa likod ng creative process ng pelikula.
"So, you have to give them that trust because they’re giving me their trust and malaking bagay kasi sa akin na pinagkakatiwalaan nila ako. So, as much as possible, pinahahalagahan ko yun, iniingatan ko ‘yun.
"And I’m now 24, tumatanda na rin ako, so wala na akong excuse na umayaw. Marco is the goal for me.”
In contrast to her, Marco is totally wholesome in “Bahay na Pula”. He didn’t even take off his shirt in any scene, which is something unusual for him.
“Yun naman kasi ang sinabi ni Direk Brillante,” says Marco. “He wanted something totally different for me in my role in our movie. And it’s fine for me.
"Hindi naman palaging may sex scene na kailangang maghubad ka, di ba? We also want to show we can do a film without resorting to disrobing. But it doesn’t mean hindi na ako maghuhubad.
"I’d still do it given a very good project. But here, in ‘Bahay na Pula’, it’s a horror movie and our primary goal is to give the audiences a good scare. And judging from the reactions of the viewers on premiere night, I think we succeeded naman in doing just that.”
“Bahay na Pula” is now streaming on Vivamax.
