Comedian Empoy Marquez flexes his dramatic muscle for his reunion with much awarded actress Alessandra de Rossi, “Walang KaParis.”
The movie also serves as their reunion with their “Kita Kita” director and writer Sigrid Andrea Bernardo.
At a recent roundtable with the “Walang KaParis,” Direk Sigrid said she had to make sure her actors could be able to deliver in their roles.
“Gusto ko i-challenge ‘yung capacity nila umarte,” said Direk Sigrid. “Kilala ko naman si Alessandra — ang capacity niya, but always drama. So tignan ko kung kaya — sa personal sobrang komedyante siya pero sa screen, if she can pull it off. And I’m very happy na na-pull off. Si Empoy sa drama naman.”
Direk Sig revealed that the BAFTA nominated actress Dolly de Leon was hired to be Empoy’s acting coach.
“Ako naman ang acting coach ni Miss Dolly,” Empoy interjected.
How did Empoy find being coached by the acclaimed actress?
“Tabi kami lagi matulog,” he cracked. “Ten days, subuan kami habang naka quarantine.”
Direk Sig said Dolly take the role of acting coach very seriously and was already prepared as early as 4 a.m.
Alex related that at one point, “na hurt na si Miss Dolly kasi hawak hawak nya yung tubig ni Empoy at cellphone, ‘Ano ba ako dito yaya mo or eating coach? Hindi ka naman nakikinig!’”
But it was all in jest, as Empoy was able to acquit himself in his dramatic scenes.
“After 10,000 takes,” joked Direk Sig.
It took Direk Sig a couple of years before she decided to do a follow-up to her 2017 surprise hit “Kita Kita.” And she really made sure “Walang KaParis” would be a worthy project for Alex and Empoy.
Even the title had to be right. Direk Sig said she would have wanted the film to be called “Nothing Compares” – but it did not have the word Paris in it, hence it became “Walang KaParis.”
“Walang KaParis” will be available on Prime Video starting March 23.(E. Ramos, Malaya)
CAPTION: Julia Barretto and Gerald Anderson in Paris, France. Julia Barretto via Instagram