QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Renowned production designer-turned-film director Richard Somes was beaming with excitement during the press conference of his movie ‘Corazon, ang Unang Aswang’ held at Dolphy Theater, ABS-CBN compound on February 29. He shares, “
This will not be just another indie or horror film. Although I specialized in horror before, this one is special since the previous ones I made are mainstream films. This one is digital.”
Erich Gonzales is paired anew with Derek Ramsay in this film that talks about an extraordinary love story of a couple yearning to have a child.
Proving how visionary independent films are, ‘
Corazon, Ang Unang Aswang’ will ride with the movement of Filipino indie from poverty and political stories to featuring other contemporary subjects including Philippine folklore. Also spiced-up with romance, this new film does not only take pride on the plot but also on great cinematography and art direction, among other technical highlights that are quite unexpected from an indie film.
Somes adds, “
This project is so close to my heart as I grew up from an Ilonggo family who believed in so many myths including Aswang.”
The movie is topbilled by one of television’s primetime darlings Erich Gonzales, and 2011’s so-called ‘Box Office King’ Derek Ramsay. Derek himself was excited with the movie since he considers it on a genre of its own.
“
Aside from the fact that this is digital, this movie is not pure horror. Ang ganda ng love story dito (This movie has an excellent love story)
which shows what true love really is”, Ramsay reveals.
The official poster of the film titled: 'Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang' (Corazon: The First Monster).
Erich plays the title role of Corazon who carries with her a tragic memory from the World War II. She and her husband Daniel, played by Derek Ramsay, are obsessed to bear a child. In their 5th year of marriage, they were finally gifted with a child but as Corazon is about to give birth, the baby is already dead. This is where the problems of the ‘aswang’ (a mythical term for monsters) set in.
“
I wrote this story as the origin on how aswang started. But I ended up creating my own legend! More than the horror, it’s a story about undying love”, says Somes.
“
This can be synonymous to the love story of Dracula (played by Gary Oldman)
and Mina Harker (played by Winona Ryder)
in a 1992 Dracula movie but this movie focuses on the accounts of our very own myth, the Aswang.”
Meanwhile, ‘
Corazon, Ang Unang Aswang’ is the sophomore offering of ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc’s independent film label, Skylight Films. The movie outfit was launched through Maja Salvador- Matteo Guidicelli-Xian Lim starrer flick ‘My Cactus Heart’ in February. Skylight Films promises to provide a new digital playground for the best indie filmmakers.
Aside from the lead stars Erich and Derek, the movie also features Tetchie Agbayani, Mark Gil, Jeffrey Quizon, Mon Confiado, Maria Isabel Lopez, Mosang, and Sharlene San Pedro. Richard Somes did not only direct the movie but he also shares writing credits with Jeffrey Gracio.
‘Corazon, Ang Unang Aswang’ is set to open on March 14 in over 100 theaters nationwide.
