Enchong Dee steps out of comfort zone for a chance to fulfill dream

ABS-CBN heartthrob Enchong Dee beamed with pride as he talked about his first official indie film “Lila.”

Directed by Gino Santos, the psychological-thriller is one of the five entries at the second Sinag Maynila film festival this month.

Dee said that when he heard the name of the eminent director Brillante Mendoza, he said yes to the project right away.

READ: ‘Diverse’ 2nd Sinag Maynila dawns this April

“I said ‘Okay, game! Whatever the story is, whatever the movie is,” he told reporters at the festival’s media launch on Tuesday.

Festival director Brillante Mendoza and Solar Entertainment CEO Wilson Tieng are the chief architects of Sinag Maynila which had its inaugural run in March last year.

In Lila, Dee plays the cousin of Jess, the troubled main character portrayed by actress Janine Gutierrez from rival TV station GMA.

READ: Janine Gutierrez escapes her dark past in ‘Lila’ by Gino M. Santos

“Piling-pili ‘yung mga projects ko na gustong gawin..nu’ng una sabi ko duguan ‘to and then I realized na ang ganda ng kwento,” he said.

(I have been very selective with the projects that I want to do. At first, I thought it was going to be bloody and I realized that the story is beautiful.

This, however is not Dee’s first foray into doing a horror film. In 2012, he starred in “The Strangers,” a Metro Manila Film Festival entry.

One of the reasons he accepted to doing “Lila” was because he wants to fulfil one of his dreams as an actor.

“Niloloko ko ‘yung mga production na please naman tuparin n’yo ‘yung pangarap ko na makapag-international film fest. Sana di ba? Lahat naman siguro ng aktor gusto makasali sa film festivals at magbigay ng honor sa Pilipinas.”

(I was kidding the production people to help me fulfil my dream of joining an international film fest. I hope so. I think every actor wants to participate in film festivals and bring honor to the Philippines.)

He recognized the necessity of having that deep acting repertoire the independent cinema requires.

“Mas wide ‘yung kailangan mong pag-aralan, ‘yung kailangan mong matutunan; mas wide ‘yung dapat mong i-offer kasi ang laki nu’ng ginagalawan mong storya.”

(The things you have to study and learn are more extensive; you have to have more to offer because the story requires it.)

He also related how fun his experience was because of the youthful work environment. “Not only is the director young but also the production members…mas madali ‘yung paggawa ng pelikula (making the film is easier).”

Dee also praised his co-star Gutierrez. “With Janine, sobrang natutuwa ako sa kanya. I didn’t realize that this is just her first movie, parang ang galing niya for her first (I am pleased with Janine. I didn’t realize this is her first movie. She seems really good for a first-timer).”

“Maganda ‘yung discipline …’yung working attitude niya (Her discipline and working attitude are commendable),” he added.

The Sinag Maynila film festival is slated to run from April 21-26 at selected SM cinemas.