Esteemed film director Joel Lamangan on Tuesday, January 11, had no problems directing seasoned artists Claudine Barretto and Mark Anthony Fernandez in their comeback movie Deception, saying they still have the chemistry as a loveteam.
“Silang dalawa, kahit hindi mo gawin, meron silang chemistry. Mahusay ang kanilang tambalan. Alam mo na meron silang tinatagong kahusayan sa isa’t-isa, alam mo na sila ay mga propesyunal,” Lamangan said during the film’s virtual media conference.
Deception, a mystery drama film, will be the first project of Barretto and Fernandez after 27 years. But the director admitted he had no struggle managing the two during their scenes since they were “really experienced artists.”
“Wala akong naging hirap na pagtambaling muli sila sapagkat sila’y mga talagang propesyunal na aktor at aktres. Mahuhusay na aktor at aktres, napatunayan na naman nilang muli sa kanilang muling pagtatambal na hindi nag-iba ang kanilang kategorya bilang mahuhusay na aktor at aktres,” he pointed.
He further emphasized that his decades of directing experience taught him to characterize and care for his actors.
“Hindi naman ito ang kauna-unahan kong pag-handle ng veteran actors. Alam ko na kung paano i-handle ang veteran actors.
“Alam ko kung paano sila pahalagahan, alam ko ang kanilang pinagdaanan bilang mga aktor at aktres, alam ko ang kanilang kahinaan at kalakasan, alam ko kung ano ang bibigyan ko ng emphasis o palalakasin sa kanila pagdating sa kanilang kahinaan at kalakasan.”
Lamangan also has a principle that whenever an artist had been in the industry for a very long time, they already earned his respect.
“Sa akin, kapag matagal nang artista, nandoon ang respeto ko. Nirerespeto ko ang kanilang pinagdaanang karanasan bilang aktor at aktres. At alam kong marami silang paghuhugutan na hinihingi sa kanilang role.”
Claudine and Mark’s discoveries after working with each other after 27 years.
The two stars’ last project was the 1996 film Mangarap Ka and working together in Deception, Barretto found out that her leading man became a much-improved actor.
“Ako ang na-discover ko kay Mark ngayon, mas lumalim siya bilang aktor at tsaka talagang pinag-aralan niya ang role niya, at mas adventuruous siya at nag-explore talaga siya dito sa pelikulang ito. Na-expect ko na magaling si Mark. Matagal nang alam ng tao ‘yon pero lalo na ngayon na nagulat ako na sobrang gumaling talaga si Mark. Parang nag-mature siya tapos binibigay niya lahat ng mga requirements ni Direk Joel,” she shared.
On the other hand, Fernandez revealed that the actress has bloomed to be a wonderful artist and a mother.
“Inspiring si Boss Clau pagkatrabaho. Super through the time, nag-bloom siya bilang lady, naging tunay na babae siya, at napaka-loving mom niya bukod sa superstar natin siya.”
Deception is the project for their return.
The actress pointed out that it has been so long since the last time that she worked with Fernandez, and it would be a waste of opportunity not to work with the actor again and with the great Joel Lamangan.
“Yes. Like what Tita Esther said, what you said na 26, 27 years na kami huling nagtambal ni Mark. Si Mark hindi talaga mahirap na makatrabaho o makasama. Talagang naano naman ako na parang sobrang professional niya, sobrang lalim niya
“No second thoughts about Mark. Matagal ko na talaga siyang gustong makatrabaho. Walang ilangan. Nag-uusap kami kung anong gusto naming gawin sa scene. Happy ako. Ano pa ba ang p’wedeng hingin? Si Direk Joel na ang direktor at si Mark pa. So ang laki-laking pasasalamat ko sa Borracho Films at sa Viva,” Barretto stated.
Fernandez also agreed, adding that the script as a whole was perfect for the comeback movie with Barretto.
“Opo. Talagang magsisisi ako kung hindi namin nagawa ‘tong pelikulang ito. Pero tamang-tama, timely din yung script. Kasi kung nagawa namin ito earlier, malamang hindi ito yung script.
“So nagpapasalamat din ako na ito din yung naging script namin. Dahil itong script na ‘to may suspense, may drama, and kikilitiin ka pa ng kaunti sa funny bone mo eh. So talagang pagsisihan ko kung hindi ito yung script din na gampanan namin.”
He was also excited to work again with the actress in this project.
“Sa akin more of excited kasi matagal nang dapat kaming gagawa ni Miss Clau ng pelikula. Buti ngayon natuloy na and natsambahan namin itong script na ‘to. Depende talaga sa script eh pero ito yung script na mabenta. I mean mabenta sa akin eh, ako bibilhin ko agad ‘to eh.”
Deception will be available for streaming on Vivamax, January 28.
