Traditionally the Metro Manila Film Festival always feature the signature horror movies of Regal Films and for the 2020 edition of the Film Festival, Regal is offering a different kind of horror in The Missing.
Set in Saga, Japan. The island capital of the Saga Prefecture will be the center of the story of the three main character played by Ritz Azul, Miles Ocampo, and Joseph Marco.
The Missing will also be the debut of director Easy Ferrer in both the MMFF and in the horror genre, Easy is known for his work in Finding You and in the recently concluded Ben X Jim as the director, and his other works as a writer.
This December 25, enter the world of The Missing.
1. Direk tell us something about “The Missing”.
The Missing is Regal Entertainments latest horror presentation. It was shot in the autumn of 2019 in Karatsu and Imari in Saga Prefecture Japan. It stars Joseph Marco, Miles Ocampo, and Ritz Azul.
2. Direk what’s your inspiration in writing/doing “The Missing”?
Originally, when it was written in 2013, it was set in the Philippines, taking inspiration from the cases of missing journalists and other victims of extra judicial killings, but its mainly derived from the Ampatuan massacre. It takes on the premise of what if, something horrible is buried beneath a building you are forced to live in.
3. This is your first time doing a horror movie, how different is your approach in this genre?
The difficult thing about horror is it has to be precise. One little adjustment in one unit of the story will affect its entirety. It should be perfect timing, and perfect setting of mood. I tried to incorporate J-Horror sensibilities at the same time putting in superstitious beliefs common in Japan and the Philippines, such as offering blood in places of constructions like bridges and dam. This is actually the movie I really Worked hard on story boarding so I won’t make a mistake.
4. You've shot the movie in Japan, how was it shooting there? What were the challenges you’ve faced while shooting the movie?
What we loved in there are the respectful people. They respect that you are there to work, and they won’t disturb you. They are very cooperative as well. They won’t take monetary payment for using their spaces, simple tokens of thankfulness are enough. Of course, the challenge of shooting overseas, especially horror, is you have to be very very resourceful, as there is limited supply and haggling in a foreign land is difficult. But everything worked out fine because the entire production is hardworking. We had so much fun shooting there actually.
5. The film really looks like a Japanese Horror movie, how would you compare the Japanese Horror movies with the Filipino one (Since regal films is known for their horror movies).
Japanese horror movies are deeply rooted in folklore and bizarre. It capitalizes on mood, and it plays on eerie ness of everyday situations. Main characters doesn’t have to be active in a specific goal, but just normal people living their everyday lives who one day experience haunting or horror. Filipino movies are different in such that characters here are more goal driven, such that they disturb peace or they made an imbalance in a once undisturbed paranormal being, that’s why horror happens
6. Were Ritz Azul, Miles Ocampo, and Joseph Marco your first choice as actors? And can you introduce us their characters?
Yes they are my first choice. Ritz Azul plays Iris Valerio, a restoration architecture. She restores old buildings to bring back their original form. She has post traumatic stress disorder because of an incident that happened to her sister. In the present time, she trying to heal from it, by trying to live her life as normal as possible. Joseph Marco is Job Arca, also an architect, and Iris’ former lover. He now lives in Saga, and he’s the one who invited iris to restore the ancestral house of their former Japanese professor, who he is deeply indebted to. Miles Ocampo is Len Santos, an intern who may have or have not any connection with the hauntings in the house.
7. Before “The Missing” you’ve done several remarkable projects with Regal as both writer and director, do you feel any pressure? since this is also your first time in the MMFF.
There is tremendous pressure for me, since Regal is known for having the library of the most iconic horror movies. I was under the expectation of keeping up to it, that’s why I try to give my best. Plus the fact that it’s gonna be done online, i had to make sure it will be worth the people’s time and money during this holiday in the new normal world.
8. What are you feeling now that finally after a long delay, The Missing is finally coming not on cinema, but instead it will be Streaming on Christmas day?
I’m excited and optimistic about the whole scenario. I believe the Philippine cinema is entering a new era, and setting a new viewing habit to the audience. I’m really overwhelmed that I am part of this amazing transition.
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