The Rapture of Fe

Last January 24-25, the Cultural Center of the Philippines held an open auditions for all ten Cinemalaya finalists.  People from all walks of life, whether they are professional actors or just testing the waters for fun, flocked to the CCP.  Somehow, it reminded of the auditions of the American Idol but fortunately to the auditioners, they were not grilled or given harsh comments as seen in the reality show.  They were just asked to file in, individually face the camera, say something about themselves and their acting experiences and then turn sideways towards and away from the camera.  If any of the filmmakers like a particular talent, they are either asked that person to step out, audition specifically for a movie or come back in a different day and time.

 

 

 

 

 

There were five of us from Rapture in the auditions, the director, assistant director, production manager, associate producer and myself, the executive producer.  We were looking for three characters: the role of Gie, the pretty mistress, Nestor, the quiet brother, and the “datu-like” character.  Among these, it is the last character that we had to take great pains in casting as his role will only appear a crucial moment in the movie.

 

After day 1, we were already able to cast the first two roles as well as all the other characters like the priest, the invalid father and other workers in the rattan factory.  In fact, we had four Nestor’s already to choose from.  But we were still missing out the “datu-like” character. 

 

By day 2, we were already losing hope to cast our “datu-like” character.  The other directors were laughing at us because it seems that every single goodlooking guy with a nice body who stepped into the room was asked to step out and audition for us.  Fortunately, on the last few hours of the day, Joel Molina, a stage actor from the University of the Philippines who recently alternated with Franco Laurel in a film adaptation of Jose Rizal’s Noli/Fili, stepped into the room.  We asked him to deliver the lines for us and he was perfect.  Among all those whom we auditioned for the role, he was the only one to pull off the character with minimal comments or direction from Vim.  He not only fitted the profile that we were looking for but his voice was perfect for the role.  

 

In case you’re wondering about our leads, we need not audition them anymore because for one, Vim wrote the script specifically for Ms Irma Adlawan, acclaimed theater and film actress, as the titular role of Fe.  If you haven’t seen her on stage, then I suggest you find out her next play and watch her because you are missing one of the great talents in Philippines theater.

 

 

 

 

 

We then proceeded from a short list of possible male leads. We were strongly advised by the Cinemalaya organizers to cast a commercial actor for the role.  From the short list of actors, we were actually doubtful with the acting capabilities of most them.  Since our movie requires the actors to have a wide range of emotions, it was very difficult to just pick an actor because of his commercial value.  

 

After a series of discussions, the name of TJ Trinidad popped into our minds.  His looks fits the brooding manner of the character of Arturo.  Vim also remembered him from the movie Kulam, where he was given a chance to show his acting prowess, albeit it was directed and edited poorly.

 

 

 

 

Joining this fine cast is the phenomenal and multi-talents Nonie Buencamino.  I still have chills thinking about one of his theatrical performances that I saw.  It was in the play Love Letters.  I remember balling my eyes out even after the play.  Though he seemed to be typecasted in the role of wife-beater, we him to treat the character of Dante different from any of the roles he has already done.  How will he break the mold, well, that’s when we’ll see his genius in acting. 

 

 

 

 

 

So after a month of seeking out and auditioning different talents, we were able to complete our cast.  All of which we are very confident of their capability to pull off the roles given to them and make this movie worth watching, not just because of its story but because of amazing acting of the ensemble.