suzette ranillo co-directs a visayan film- "pagbalik"...

suzette co-directs...

suzette: a film about family relationships

ms. gloria sevilla (suzette's mom), fernando josef, and ms. suzette ranillo

suzette: a pride of Philippine Cinema

She's one of the finest character actresses we've ever seen in many of the indie films that contested in some film festivals for the past few years now. She played a Psychiatrist in Double Twisting, Double Back, a nose-bleeding woman in Children's Show, a crying Katipunera in Death March, a General's wife in one short film years ago at Cinema One Originals, a mysterious woman in Birdshot, a gentle mom in Siargao, a violent character in Amok,  and many, many more. 

But she remains so low-key,- well in fact, she's belongs to one of the most respected showbiz clans and the very first newbie to win a Best Supporting Actress award in Famas-at a time wherein veteran actors and actresses penetrated the movie industry- in 1970's.

A staunch supporter and advocate for indie films, here she comes without any pretense and all. Just as casual as she is. Just as sincere and friendly.

Her name: MS. SUZETTE RANILLO.

This time around, one of the most narural actresses that Philippine Cinema has produced has something new to tell:

"We just finished shooting a Cebuano film- a Visayan film and the title of the film is PAGBALIK", Suzette told a blogger over a heavy dinner treat at Greenhills area. "My mom- Ms. Gloria Sevilla, and I are both starring in this film which I term as a regional film of sorts. The setting is in Cebu and the period was 1970's.  And this film, I co-directed with a young and budding film maker Hubert Tibi.

"The film is about a grandson, a daughter and a grandmother", Suzette continued saying. "It's about the struggles of 3 generations of family members- about a grandson taking care of her lola, about a mom working abroad as an OFW, and about a grandson dealing with the absence of her mom and hardships of taking care of his grandma. 

"The struggles of living alone in fear on the lola's side, their story altogether, the bitterness, the resentments, the pains. It's a very simple story, but it sure will touch anybody's heart", she said.

By this month of November, Suzette plans to show the film in some key provinces in the Visayan region and in Siargao.

"Then, we'll go to many other different provinces in the South and hold special screenings. By the month of January, in time for the Sinulog Festival, we will show the film in Cebu. 

"The film will have some English subtitles so that those who don't understand the Visayan language could also appreciate it", Suzette further continued. "We had finished editing the film already and soon, we will have special school showings in selected cities in Mindanao, too. "

In one of the film's recent screening to some grade 5 students and some 2,000 students in Zamboanga City, Suzette recalled that the kids were crying as they watched the film.

"Because the film could relate upon the lives of young people", she said. "It's about family. It's about missing your parents. It's about comforting the old."

Is Suzette competing this film in some indie film festivals next year?

"Let's see", Suzette answered. "Maybe in Pista Ng Pelikulang Pilipino and Cinema Rehiyon which is focused on regional films. But I am more keen on showing the film in many schools. I want to teach the young via this film."

It's high time for Suzette to unleash another artistic talent via directing a film. But she's not in a hurry to direct a solo film someday- no more as a co-director but the main director of a film.

"I am still looking for the right material", Suzette ended saying. "Directing a film is really a man's job, but many women directors are now striving. Maybe I could be added on that list someday."

That someday is not far behind, Suzette.




(as the words were written by robert manuguid silverio)