On October 25, actor Matteo Guidicelli discussed the pressure of Penduko’s success in the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival 2023.
At the media conference for ‘Penduko,’ which LionhearTV covered, Guidicelli acknowledged the scale of their upcoming movie.
“Sa totoo lang, like what Direk said kanina, many-many factors coming into this no, many factors. Alam po natin ‘yung pangalang Penduko, napakabigat po nito and like what Direk said kanina, people would question, ‘Bakit Direk Paul? Also bakit Matteo?'”
He also highlighted the challenge of taking on a full Tagalog role, which led him to prepare for his character with the actress Ruby Ruiz as his acting coach.
“I came to this knowing na talagang malalim na Tagalog ang gagawin namin dito, matinding mga fight scenes, at matinding dramahan din ito. So sabi ko talaga sa aking producer si Miss Nina, ‘Ma’am I want to be prepared before I step into this set.
“Not just physically, but also acting wise. So I personally requested Tita Ruby Ruiz to be my acting coach, so nag-training po kami ng mga three-four weeks bago kami pumunta sa set. Sabi ko talaga, gusto ko handa tayo bago tayo pumasok.”
He then discussed the filming process of their director, Jason Paul Laxamana.
“So I did that and going inside the film, you know, si Direk sobrang precise po siya. Like what he said just now, he really know what he wants pati sa mga fight scenes, naalala ko pa ‘yung sinabi eh, ‘yung fight director-fight choreographer si Erwin, ‘Oh dito ka, dito ka, dito ka.’ Sabi ni Direk, ‘Guys alam ko na ‘yung mga shots ko, na-envision ko na lahat, please ‘wag na natin dagdagan.’
“So he really stitched everything in his head already. It’s [very] impressive, it’s very enlightening to see, very inspiring to see.”
However, Guidicelli clarified that he felt more pressured to present a good film that showcases Filipino culture and folklore.
“Kung napre-pressure ako kung box office or movie, I think my main goal is to create a beautiful film [that] represents Filipino culture. It makes the [whole] world see how rich [of] culture we have in our country, from folklore to albolaryo, to Pinoy martial arts, to how you do things in the Philippines. So ang main goal na makapaglabas ng pelikula na ma-enjoy ng kabataan. So kung ano man ang pagkatapos noon, bonus na po ‘yun.”
As for the upcoming MMFF 2023 fantasy movie, ‘Penduko’ stars Matteo Guidicelli, Albert Martinez, John Arcilla, and Kylie Versoza.
The cast also features Mark Anthony Fernandez, Phoebe Walker, Marissa Sanchez, Candy Pangilinan, Andrea Del Rosario, Arron Villaflor, Gene Padilla, Joe Vargas, Martin Venegas, Keagan De Jesus, Kurt Delos Reyes, Tyro Daylusan, Zombie Tugue, TJ Valderrama, Jobelyn Manuel, JC Tiuseco, Andrea Babierra, and Annika Co.
Under the direction of Jason Paul Laxamana, Viva Film’s ‘Penduko’ opens in cinemas nationwide on December 25.
