December 6, 2024 | 12:00am
“Celestina: Burlesk Dancer” actresses Yen Durano and Christine Bermas admitted that it was tougher to film the dance sequences rather than the sex scenes in the upcoming VMX movie.
Yen and Christine gave a glimpse of those steamy dance moves before the presscon for the flick, which was helmed by award-winning director McArthur C. Alejandre in collaboration with National Artist Ricky Lee.
Set in the 1940s, when the Philippines is under Japanese control, the movie depicts the story of a mother who becomes a sexy dancer to be able to raise her child while the country is facing one of the most trying times in history.
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To prepare for her role, Yen researched and watched some clips on how to execute the dance scenes. “It was challenging. I like to dance but with feeling. But if it’s choreographed, it’s difficult because I’m more of a singer than a dancer,” disclosed Yen.
“This is more sensual and slower. It’s tiring even though its slow. Because it’s more of like yung control mo sa body mo plus you would have to think of the acting (aspect). I’m naturally an overthinker and direk knows that,” she continued.
Christine echoed that it’s challenging, even though she came from a girl group because you put emotions to it while you’re on stage. “Especially with the scenes that are super heavy,” she added. “Usually, when we dance, it’s just dance. Sometimes matapos mo lang yung dance. But for this movie, doing the heavy scenes while dancing was really tough for us.”
The VMX actress earlier stated that “Salsa ni L” was her last sexy film. But she remarked during the “Celestina: Burlesk Dancer” presscon that she will still continue to do erotic movies. “Yes, of course, if the story is super ganda and worth it naman to do, ‘Why not?’” She also clarified that she filmed “Celestina: Burlesk Dancer” first, prior to “Salsa ni L.”
Moreover, direk McArthur made it clear that “Celestina: Burlesk Dancer” is totally different from Celso Ad. Castillo’s 1977 movie “Burlesk Queen” starring Vilma Santos.
“Malayo siya sa ‘Burlesk Queen,’ but this is a story of a Burlesk dancer. Let’s use the title of ‘Burlesk Dancer’ because he (Ricky) is confident na malayo (from ‘Burlesk Queen’) and that it can stand on its own na hindi siya ma-compare. And during our brainstorming, we agreed to put the name of the lead, Celestina,” recalled direk McArthur.
“That’s the evolution. It has nothing to do with the film. We both like Celso Ad.’s ‘Burlesk Queen.’ Gandang-ganda kami pareho sa pelikula. We didn’t want to touch that in deference to the film. It is OK to say na inspired siya.
“All good films ay inspired ng mahihilig sa films but it does not in any way have any reference to ‘Burlesk Queen.’ We were very, very careful about that,” he clarified.
The cast of “Celestina: Burlesk Dancer” also include Sid Lucero, Arron Villaflor, Aiko Garcia, Allan Paule, and Angie Castrence. The movie will hit the big screen on Dec. 4.
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