FILIPINOS are getting ready for a bone-chilling and nerve-racking experience at the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) with the upcoming horror film “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital”.
The first Filipino meta found footage horror film, directed by Kerwin Go and starring MMFF-returning Enrique Gil and Jane De Leon, is destined to chill moviegoers this Christmas, but in a unique way.
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Inspired by the 2018 South Korean film Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, the Filipino adaptation promises a different touch on their own version, ensuring that this one is as unique as it can get.
Given the excitement among fans for the release of their entry, republicasia conducted an exclusive interview with the Strange Frequencies cast, allowing them to express their thoughts on the film.
Welcome back, Enrique
Without a doubt, Enrique Gil’s presence at the annual MMFF has been sadly missed for more than a decade. The actor’s most recent role came in the horror thriller The Strangers (2012).
Gil returned this year to commemorate the film festival’s 50th anniversary, but this time he had a larger role. He not only exhibited his missed acting skills, but he also showcased his other artistic side by co-producing the film.
He co-produced with known director and “Master of Horror” Erik Matti and veteran filmmaker Dondon Monteverde. This is his second produced film; the first being his comeback picture, I Am Not Big Bird.
However, the actor was captivated to the film’s shooting style, as they were given personal control over their cameras. Making this an unforgettable experience for both them and Filipino fans.
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“To be able to do a movie wherein kami na rin ‘yung cameramen, play around with the shots, it’s something that’s never been done in the Philippine cinema. So I was really drawn to that aspect,” said Gil.
“I’m also a huge horror fan, so napa-oo ulit ako. Usually kasi kapag December, nasa ibang country ako, I always travel. So every MMFF hindi ko masyadong ginagawa, kasi usually it happens all throughout December, and I’m usually gone.”
“But for this opportunity, this film, this type of movie, I cannot miss out on this. It’s Philippines’ first found footage movie, and sabi ko I really want to be part of it,” the actor further explained.
A personal touch
Gil also stated that the part he portrayed in this film differed significantly from previous ones. Strange Frequencies enabled him to portray a more authentic and realistic character.
“I think what makes it different is, dito, it’s very meta. I don’t play any character, I play as myself, as Enrique, the actor. So super true to life siya,“ the actor explained.
“So sabi ko, wow cool yan ah. I get to play as myself, I don’t have to study a character, kasi ako lang ‘yun eh. So I just come up to set, and be how I am normally.”
“It didn’t feel like work. It just felt like I was having fun exploring. I think that’s what made it different, you know, playing ourselves,” Gil went on to say.
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Despite the surprise offer for the job, Jane De Leon felt the film was already familiar to her. However, it has a distinct depth, as she must depict herself authentically in the film, as Gil stated.
“Actually this one, sobrang biglaan lang talaga akong in-invite nila Quen. Noong time na ‘yon nagre-ready na sila, that’s the same day na pumunta ako,” said De Leon.
“Nung in-explain nila, it sounds familiar kasi parang nakita ko na to sa isang movie. But ofcourse, it’s all celebrities, and it’s something new to do it. Iba ‘yung experience.”
“Pinagkaiba lang is I’m playing as myself. It’s just so hard, kasi tayo naman we cannot portray everything naman on screen. And I think ayun ‘yung isa sa challenging,” she added.
The debutants
The remainder of the cast, including former beauty queen MJ Lastimosa, Alexa Miro, Rob Gomez, Raf Pineda, and YouTuber Ryan “Zarckaroo” Azurin, are extremely excited for their debut performances at the 2024 MMFF.
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Lastimosa stated that while playing alongside Gil is familiar to her from their previous teleserye collaboration, the rest of her experiences with this project, including the other casts, are all new.
“I was very excited, kasi si Enrique nakatrabaho ko na siya sa Bagani. The rest of the cast first ko silang nakatrabaho,” said Lastimosa. “I was very excited to be a part of this project.”
“First time ko rin mag-shoot ng movie sa ibang bansa. So, andami kong firsts sa project na ‘to, and first time ko rin maging part ng MMFF. Kaya I think I wasn’t really sure kung ano ‘yung ie-expect ko.”
“Medyo different din ‘yung treatment ng movie itself. And at the same time, kabado kasi diba first time mong makakatrabaho ‘yung most of the cast. Come what may, I’m just making sure na I’m doing my best throughout the project,” she added.
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For Miro, Gomez, Pineda, and Zarckaroo, age was the glue that held them together, stating that this project not only produced a spectacular film, but also an enduring familial relationship between them.
“Hindi kasi talaga siya trabaho, minsan nga kahit rest days namin, kulitan pa rin eh. So naging family ‘yung dapat na workmates lang. Specially me, hindi ko sila kilala, sila celebrities ako social media content creator,” said YouTuber Zarckaroo.
Miro also added that this project is too big and too exciting to pass up on, given how big of a horror fan she is, “Unang sabi palang ni Quen, game ako agad, as a horror fan. It’s overwhelming and I’m beyond thankful.”
One thing is certain: when Strange Frequencies hits theaters, fans can expect a terrifyingly realistic look into one of Asia’s spookiest and most notorious locations.
Strange Frequencies will make history for being the country’s first meta found footage horror film, and it will undoubtedly leave audiences wanting more. The MMFF entry will be released nationwide on December 25, 2024.
