YAM LARANAS directs his third film for Vivamax, “Greed”, which comes after “Death of a Girlfriend” and “Paraluman”.
“Greed” is about a young couple, Nadine Lustre and Diego Loyzaga, whose lives change after winning the lotto. This was filmed at the height of the pandemic.
“Malaki ang effect ng pandemic sa pagdidirek ko, kasi laging nasa isip ko kung ano nangyayari sa mga kababayan nating walang trabaho, their economic situation.” he says.
“My dad passed last year. Regular siyang tumataya sa lotto and when he wins, pinamimigay niya kahit malaki o man maliit. He showed me that there’s nothing wrong with sharing but just keep some for yourself. He’s not greedy.”
Was the movie tailor made as the comeback movie of Nadine?
“I wrote the story during the wake ng dad ko last year kasi nga he likes to play lotto and I wrote it in just one sitting. I don’t know yet kung sino ang gaganap sa lead role, but naisip ko si Nadine, so I called her.
"I haven’t pitched it yet to Viv, kasi I want to talk with her muna. I felt she’s perfect for the role and I really want to work with her.
"Now that we’ve finished the movie, I cannot even think of anyone else who can play the lead role. This movie is really meant for her.”
Since it’s his first time with Nadine, how would he assess her performance?
“Yes, sa kanilang tatlo, siya lang ang hindi ko pa naka-work. Si Epi, I’ve done several films with him and I know he can be a good dramatic actor.
"Si Diego naman, in ‘Death of a Girlfriend’, he proved he is more than just a heartthrob. With Nadine, I felt she will deliver in her role as Kitchie and she did, 2,000 percent.
"Ang maganda, the three of them have a good working chemistry. The whole cast is very good and I will give them 5,000%.”
In the end, he says the film is a cautionary tale.
“It serves as some kind of a warning: what will you do kapag nanalo ka sa lotto? Will you share it?
"Makikihati ka ba, tutulong ka ba sa mahihirap? O itatago mo lang sa sarili mo sa takot na baka manakawan ka? It shows how money can change people.”
What is Greed for him?
“When you want something na meron ka na, pero gusto mo pa rin to have more, that’s greed.
"Dapat din, you're willing to share, although sa panahon ngayon, mahirap din kasi basta mag-share sa di mo kilala, kasi may mga umuutang na kapag pinagbigyan mo, hindi ka naman babayaran. So we all have to be careful.”
