Atty. Ferdie Topacio of Borracho Films on Tuesday, January 11, has starred Claudine Barretto in the upcoming film Deception as it was his promise to her years ago, also marking her comeback to the movie industry after seven years.
“Actually, nauna po d’yan is that I promised Claudine, who is a close friend of mine, na given the opportunity, ay magpo-produce ako ng pelikula sa kanya. Because kilala ko na siya since 2012, 2013. Kaya nga pinaglaban ko siya ng husto noon because I believed in her,” he revealed during the film’s virtual media conference.
Topacio also said that the actress deserved it as she was one of the “gems of the movie industry”. The first-time producer pointed that all signs have led to Barretto starring in his film since she will be working alongside Mark Anthony Fernandez, whom she hasn’t worked with for 27 years.
“I’ve always thought that Claudine deserved a comeback. She’s a gem of the movie industry. At nagkatugma lamang na available din si Mark. Sabi ko, ‘Aba! A double whammy ‘to! Comeback na ni Claudine, reunion pa nila ni Mark Anthony.'”
Furthermore, he stressed that the character she is playing in Deception was also similar to some of her real-life experiences.
“Medyo hawig din ang istorya kay Claudine na siya na nga ang naagrabyado, siya pa rin ang sinisisi ng tao.”
The two were believed to make their return via a romantic-comedy film, but Topacio did not like the idea of wasting the experiences of Barretto and Fernandez by putting them in that genre.
“I think Mark and Claudine are well beyond the rom-com genre. Sayang naman yung lalim ng kanilang life experiences. Anyone can do a rom-com kahit yung mga baguhang loveteams p’wede ‘yon. But this should be something special.”
Deception is a mystery-drama movie telling the story of an actress out for redemption after serving time in prison when she committed parricide and arson.
The movie will be available for streaming on Vivamax, January 28.
