Jerrold Tarog (left) and his “Bliss” star Iza Calzado in Osaka —Facebook
When Audie Gemora auditioned for a role in Jerrold Tarog’s latest film “Bliss,” the seasoned theater actor was at first confused. “I thought it was a historical epic.”
Turned out it was a contemporary thriller, and Gemora won the role of a furiously flamboyant director over esteemed colleagues.
Tarog confirms the anecdote: “Plus, Audie thought it was a comedy.”
Gemora’s initial impression wasn’t really off the mark. It’s “a comedy, in a way,” Tarog concedes, “but the dark, confusing and violent kind.”
Add “bloody” to the laundry list.
The claim that “Bliss” marks a departure for the director behind the surprise hit, “Heneral Luna,” can surely qualify as the year’s biggest understatement.
“I wanted to do something completely different from ‘Luna,’ to get my mind off historical films for a little while” he owns up.
Curiously, the filmmaker can’t exactly pinpoint the main inspiration for the story. (It centers on a disabled actress who is pushed off the edge of madness.)
“I was inspired by so many things that I can’t even keep track anymore,” he quips. “But one of the seeds was a dream that I had that I actually included in the film.”
Set in the deceptively glossy world of show, “Bliss” can be viewed as a critique of modern manners and mores.
“I wanted to explore the idea of ‘cycles of abuse’ and how people tend to get trapped in it once they’re surrounded by selfishness and greed,” he explains. “Whatever the audience takes away from it, I hope they have fun along the way.”
“Bliss” is also a turning point for lead actress Iza Calzado, who won a best performer trophy at the Osaka Asian film fest for her daring portrayal.
The filmmaker recalls that the actress had no qualms about the role’s rather risqué requirements. (Calzado not only sheds her sweet image, she actually shucks off her clothes, and inhibitions, in front of the camera.)
“I didn’t need to convince Iza,” he recounts. “She just said ‘yes.’ I believe she really liked the material and was willing to go as far as the story required.”
Another revelation in the film, according to Tarog, is relatively untapped actress Adrienne Vergara, who is “a bright ball of energy.” “I’m excited for everyone to see her performance.”
Now, for the tricky part.
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board had originally slapped “Bliss” with an X rating, which was eventually amended to R-18 on second viewing.
“The MTRCB needs to update its guidelines and remove the X rating due to its unconstitutionality,” Tarog asserts. “The only ground for censorship is if a film presents a clear and present danger to the state. If they’re censoring because of nudity and violence, the burden of proof is with the panel to show that those elements constitute an immediate threat to the state.”
He hopes the board will heed his suggestions: “Revise the guidelines. Do not censor in favor of a conservative group. Rate films for the entire population, whether they’re conservative or liberal.”