“Seklusyon,” one of the eight official entries to the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival, earned rave reviews from The Hollywood Reporter.
In his review, THR critic Clarence Tsui described Erik Matti’s horror thriller as “a grainy, gory parable about the triumph of evil.” Set in 1947, “Seklusyon” is written by Anton Santamaria and stars Ronnie Alonte, Dominic Roque, John Vic de Guzman and J. R. Versales as the four deacons; Phoebe Walker as the mysterious nun, and Rhed Bustamante as the young girl with miraculous healing power. Also in the cast are Lou Veloso, Neil Ryan Sese, Elora Españo, Jerry O’ Hara and Teroy Guzman.
Tsui added: “Set mostly within the confines of a rickety house in the middle of nowhere, the film provides chilling bursts of outright shock and tapia-tinged, creepy atmospherics. Unflinching in its darkness, it spirals towards an all-out horrifying climax – and boasts of a disturbing coda which, like in ‘The Omen’ or ‘Infernal Affairs,’ could be considered a social allegory about how good doesn’t necessarily defeat evil.”
He concluded his review, thus: “‘Seklusyon’ drips with a ferocity about how false Messiahs manipulate meek minds who, as the film’s finale suggests, then propel even more malicious pretenders onto the pedestals of power. The film is Matti’s call for an awakening, and it certainly stirs with spine-tingling moments aplenty.”
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1st audition experience
Rhian Ramos was 19 when she filmed “Saving Sally” six years ago and felt she did okay that time in her career. Rhian was in the GMA-7 series “Zorro” when she auditioned for “Saving Sally’ and got the lead role. It was TJ Trinidad who urged her to audition.
“There are so many things that I would have done differently because I was at a different stage in my life. But where I was at that time, it was very honest how I attacked it and everything… I wanted to be a realistic Sally in the world that the story was told. It’s a world where there’s so much imagination and monsters existed. I just wanted to be different as the film was,” explained Rhian at the “Saving Sally” press conference.
“Saving Sally” is one of the eight official entries to the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival starting Dec. 25.
“I am happy and emotional about this film kasi it was the first time I went to an audition. Most of the time kasi, like in GMA 7, they just give you the part. So this was my first audition experience … wala akong masyadong expectations. But it was a real surprise to me na nakuha ko ’yung part. I was very happy to do it. I had so much fun doing this movie,” shared Rhian.
“Saving Sally” director Avid Liongoren recalled he was surprised to see Rhian audition. In fact, he even asked her if she would like to go ahead of the others but she opted to wait for her turn. He then knew they could work with someone like Rhian because she didn’t come to the audition as a star but as an actress.
From the screenplay of Charlene Sawit-Esguerra and produced by Rocket Sheep Studios, “Saving Sally” also stars Enzo Marcos and TJ Trinidad.
So what’s “Saving Sally” all about?
“It’s a simple love story with monsters,” Avid replied.
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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 22: go to Atty. Jose Lina, president of Manila Hotel, Atty. Cora Jacob, Dr. Ine C. Mauricio, Monina Co-Palma, Ma. Allegra Sibal-Limjoco, PDI society columnist Maurice Arcache, Simplicio Mathay, Trixie Garcia, Dorothy Trinio, Mrs. Josie C. Domingo, Lyd Ballesteros, Nina D.C Alegre, and Makisig Morales of Star Magic... Happy wedding anniversary to Humberto and Evita Tavora... Dec. 23: Leonardo “Remy” Monteverde, Cesar Sarino, Marichu Maceda, Lorna Tolentino, Gilopez Kabuyao, Daniel “Bitay” Lacson, Luciano Mangiafico, Zeny Tengco, Portia Leuterio, Lito Nepomuceno, Lourdes Sy, Jonas C. Cruz, Charito Corpuz, Joricel Carlynd Espiritu, Mary Jane Bacaron-Roldan of Tagum City, Juan Ramesis P. Marina, and Garie Ibuna Concepcion… Happy wedding anniversary to Pablo and Loleng Panlilio...Belated b-day greetings to JC Crisostomo of Bay, Laguna, Mariel Lopez, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" editor Jok Tan and Philip "Dada" Roxas (Dec. 21)
