Blogcon Exclusive: The Trial

Star Cinema is starting to do something new in movies. The Trial is the type of movie that needs you to wear your thinking cap. For co-screenwriter Chris Guzman, this movie is a mind play because of the trend of Cinemalaya and most independent movies.

L-R. co-screenwriter Chris Guzman, director Chito Rono and Ms. Jessy Mendiola

Chris adds that they did a consultation with a developmental psychologist and legal experts about the story. There was even a case that a mental deprived individual was accused of rape years ago. The developmental psychologist/consultant was on the set during shooting and coaches Lloydie for the character.

The only part of the cast present was Jessy Mendiola who plays Bessie, teacher of John Lloyd Cruz’s character. She confessed that she was star-struck with her fellow cast like Richard Gomez and Gretchen Barreto and it’s a movie by Chito Rono. Chris shared that you cannot read her emotions. She was poker-faced. For director Chito, “she performs better after every project”.

This is probably the type of movie not only it can entertain but also stimulate your brain. But despite the seriousness of the movie theme, there is still love, acceptance, and forgiveness in the story, says direk Chito.

The movie may also give us understanding about mentally deprived adults. They are still part of society but what is special about them that their emotions are raw and they have no clouded judgments like normal people do.

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Once A Princess Blogcon

Once A Princess is an adaptation from the popular Precious Hearts Romance novel of the same name by Angel Bautista. It stars Erich Gonzales, Enchong Dee, and JC De Vera and directed by Laurice Guillen. Present during the blogcon were Erich Gonzales, Enchong Dee JC De Vera and producer Enrico Santos.

When Erich was offered the role, she read the novel straight in one seating.  Erich describes it a modern fairy tales but with a twist. Here some of the highlights of the event.

Enchong Dee describes his characters as contradicting to his own because he likes to move around his character is stiff and intimidating. Enrico Santos added there will be three shifts of his character Leonard throughout the movie.

What was the most challenging scene for the cast? The climatic scene in the living room. They had many takes for scene in different camera angles.

To Erich, her challenge was the transition to loveteam/romantic comedies to mature drama like her role as Erin, who is married to Damian, played by JC De Vera.

The main cast with producer Enrico Santos

What are you expecting to see from this movie? According Erich, this movie will make the audience decide which character they can agree on and debate among their friends. You won't see who's right or who's wrong. Each character has a valid reason or argument.

What lessons can you learn from the movie or from your characters?

Enchong: You can't justify selfishness with love.

JC: From Damian, being a warrior.

Erich: "Being hurt is unavoidable but being miserable is a choice.

According to Enrico Santos, this is 100%  detailed from book except for the character descriptions and some minor details. Once A Princess opens today in Philippine cinemas and is released by Starlight films and distributed by Star Cinema.

My thanks for those who suggested their questions from my inquiry via social networks. I can't ask all the questions due to time limit and the number of questions asked. Hopefully this will do. For more upcoming blogcons, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.