Irma Adlawan reveals getting ‘too involved’ while filming one scene in ‘Edna’

Actress Irma Adlawan revealed that she got too deeply immersed in one scene and had to take a breather while doing her film “Edna.”

In “Edna,” Irma portrays the title role of an Overseas Filipino Worker who returned to the country and found her family in a miserable situation.

“Edna” is the directorial debut film of the veteran actor Ronnie Lazaro (who also plays Irma’s husband) and produced by Tonet Gedang’s Artiste Entertainment. It was first shown as part of exhibitions at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival last year.

“During that time when I did it (the scene)…this was the scary part of our process as an actors, sometimes you get too involved in a scene that it’s hard to get out. That’s why after the scene I asked for a break. I have to continue crying and release and rest for a while. I actually did that,” Irma told INQUIRER.net.

She was referring to a scene where her character saw bruises at the back of her son, evidence that the boy was being battered by her sister-in-law.

BACKSTORY: Instituto Cervantes holds film series on migration issues

“Sometimes pumapasok ‘yung personal when you’re doing a scene and then ‘yung hindi mo na makaya. It came to that point when I give in [to that] that scene that’s why I have to get out. ‘Yun ang mahirap sa aming actors especially when you’re using your personal experience which for me I don’t like,” she said.

Using one’s personal feelings in a scene, Irma said, should not be the case.

“Dapat wag eh kasi, wala kang control. Kapag ginamit mo ang isang personal experience sa isang eksena baka hindi mo ma-control..baka bumalik dun sa how you felt [before] especially if it is a very heavy, delicate scene.”

Irma also said that she misses the “creation process” behind the movie which she called a collaborative effort within the team.

“Ronnie doesn’t arrive at the set as the director. Everybody arrives at the set as a team. Ang sarap ng feeling. Nakakamiss nga eh because it was done very short. Pero nakakamiss ‘yung the creation..that is what is really good about the movie.”

“Edna,” which ultimately highlights the sacrifices of a mother for her family, also stars Sue Prado, Kiko Matos, Nicco Manalo, Micko Laurente, Frances Makil and Mara Marasigan.

The film received a rousing reception from its audience after it was screened at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila on April 28.

It was part of Instituto Cervantes’ “En tránsito,” a film cycle dedicated to migration issues, a widely featured theme in Spanish and Philippine cinema.

“Edna” will be re-screened at Instituto Cervantes on May 9 at 2pm. It opens May 20 in cinemas. CC

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“Edna” Trailer

“Kakaiba sa karaniwang OFW story”Ang pelikulang Edna ay tungkol sa pakikipaglaban at mga pasakit ng isang OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) na isinasalarawan ni Edna (Irma Adlawan).”Edna, the first indie film directed by award-winning actor Ronnie Lazaro, has been Graded “A” by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB).””Topbilled by Cinemalaya 2013 Best Actress Irma and Direk Ronnie himself, Edna stars Nicco Manalo, Sue Prado, Frances Makil, Mara Marasigan, Micko Laurente, and Kiko Matos.”Showing REALLY SOON in cinemas near you.

Posted by Edna on Tuesday, March 24, 2015

*ALL PHOTOS FROM ARTISTE ENTERTAINMENT INC.