On July 4, Viva director Roni S. Benaid detailed what sets his upcoming horror film ‘Mary Cherry Chua’ apart from the 2018 film ‘Eerie.’
At the media conference for ‘Mary Cherry Chua,’ Benaid explained that while the two horror films follow similar lore, his upcoming Viva movie focuses on the lead character’s search for justice.
“So, ‘yung Eerie po, maaring pareho po ‘yung lore na may estudyante na namatay na nagmumulto. Pero, dito po sa kwento po namin, mas nag focus po ako doon sa estudyante na hinahanap niya– mayroon po siyang hinahanap para doon sa kaso ni Mary Cherry Chua kasi very related po sa kaniya ‘yun. Very ano, mahalaga po sa kaniya na mabigyan ng hustisya si Mary Cherry Chua.”
He also highlighted the twists and the pacing of ‘Mary Cherry Chua.’
“Malalaman po natin kung bakit, at the same time, mayroon pong kakaibang twist and turns ‘yung sa ending na malalaman po natin sa kwento.
“Magkaiba po siya in terms of pacing, paraan ng pananakot, at the same time, iba rin po ‘yung mabibigay niyang fulfillment sa end ng pelikula.”
He then narrated how he began his fascination with horror films and how they terrified him as a kid.
“Naalala ko po kasi noong bata ako, mahilig din po ako manood ng horror movies, horror stories. Tapos nagbabasa din ako ng True Philippine Ghost Stories dati. Tapos ang laki ng terror na dinulot nila sa akin. So parang tinakot nila ako dati noong bata ako. So parang ngayon, gusto ko gumanti, ako naman ‘yung gustong manakot sa manonood, tapos pelikila po ‘yung napili kong medium para gawin ‘yung pananakot na ‘yun.”
He then talked about the five-year creative process behind ‘Mary Cherry Chua.’
“Then it took me five years din po bago makagawa kasi na-busy rin po sa work. Kasi po, currently employed din po ako sa Viva, sa under creatives po, under Valerie Del Rosario. Then actually, na-approve po itong pitch ko na ‘to before pandemic pa. Pero nagkaroon lang ng writer’s block noong pandemic. Tapos nakapag-simula lang po talaga kami ng production 2022 po.”
@mangyanblogger #MaryCherryChua now showing in vinemas nationwide! @LionhearTV @Kokoy De Santos @Lyca Gairanod @Viva Films @krissha @Migo Valid
‘Mary Cherry Chua’ stars Ashley Diaz, Joko Diaz, Alma Moreno, Kokoy De Santos, Lyca Gairanod, Abby Bautista, and Krissha Viaje.
Under the direction of Benaid, the Viva Films production opens in cinemas starting July 19.
