December 6, 2024 | 12:00am
Interior (at a seemingly food joint). The character named Enrique Gil or Ken to people close to him, as implied, is talking to colleagues (yes, who are outside the film frame) and encouraging them with such a statement. “Let’s give them a good show, guys.”
It is just a part and parcel of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF)-bound movie, “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital,” and a glimpse to the narrative that thrives in a horror genre, told in meta and presented in a found footage filmmaking approach.
Enrique Gil, also known as Ken, the actor and celebrity we all know, had a fun time being on the film set and fulfilling a wish to do a horror flick.
“First of all, mahilig talaga ako sa horror (I really like horror),” said the TV and movie star in a recent press conference. “Most of the films that I watch are comedies and horror movies ever since I was a kid growing up. So, it has always been my dream to produce and be in, like a real horror movie.”
Aside from taking on the role of a leader of newbie ghosthunters, played by fellow stars Alexa Miro, Jane De Leon, MJ Lastimosa and Rob Gomez, with tarot reader Raf Pineda and content creator Ryan “Zarckaroo” Asurin, Enrique is also co-producing the film with Dondon Monteverde and filmmaker Erik Matti.
Through meta, some aspects of the cast members’ real-life personas are “crossing over” to the film narrative.
The first time Enrique wore the producer’s hat (and also the actor’s in it) was in “I Am Not Big Bird.”
“So, you know, me watching YouTube and horror things on YouTube all the time, I came across Zarckaroo, who is one of the cast members,” Enrique provided the bits and pieces on how the movie came about. “He’s a YouTuber and a vlogger. He goes around the world exploring the most haunted places.”
“I messaged Zarc, and I said, ‘Bro, I love your content,’ and then he invited me to guest in one of his episodes. And I said, ‘Sure, gawin natin yan (we’ll do that).”
And then he also suggested the idea of turning a YouTube episode into a movie and the latter was eventually chosen as among the 10 official entries at this year’s MMFF.
“I believe this is my second (MMFF entry). The first one was also a horror, a couple of years back, ‘The Strangers,’” recalled he. “It’s good to be back. Usually kapag December, laging nasa bakasyon ako, eh (I’m always on a vacation).”
This year, Enrique will be busy promoting the film and participating in the events in connection with the annual film festival. The public gets to watch the films beginning Dec. 25. It’s a welcome break from that holiday routine of his.
According to Enrique, his manager is “very close to” Dondon and Erik, who have been reaching out before for projects. And he thought “Strange Frequencies” would be the one project to commence his partnership with them.
“Mahilig sila sa mga edgy materials (they are into edgy materials),” said Enrique. “I think this is the perfect partnership to do with them.”
Following his train of thought, one could gather that the actor is interested in pursuing film concepts and characters that he has never done before. To make everything materialize, he needs a good team and the right people to develop an idea.
“I don’t really box myself to anything,” said he. “I’m really open (to new ideas and possibilities) and as an artist, you should be.”
His followers and the local tinseltown can’t wait to see how Enrique, the actor and producer, and Enrique, the character, come together and merge to tell the story of “Strange Frequencies.”
“We all wanna do something different and we’re all willing to take that risk. We cannot play safe lagi (always),” as Enrique, the character says with conviction at different points in the trailer.
The character and his friends are in for the possible most exciting adventure of their lives.
Be the first to comment