Bernal helms ‘Kimmy Dora’ sequel

BERNAL. “Filmmaking is a creative and collaborative endeavor.”

LAST month, we visited director Joyce Bernal at the Mowelfund Intensive Filmmaking Workshop, where she lectured to young filmmakers.  Over lunch, she shared the “secret” of her cheery outlook in life: “I learn humor from my drinking buddies!”

Bernal credits her mentor, Edgardo “Boy” Vinarao, for her decision to persevere in the movie industry. She observes, “A person’s experiences are very useful in directing. They will differentiate you from other filmmakers.  Pare-pareho lang naman kasi ang mga eksena, pero maiiba mo depending on how you execute them.”

Her tip to aspiring filmmakers: “Be open, because filmmaking is a creative and collaborative endeavor—and, dream big!” Unknown to many, Bernal’s dream project is a sex drama (“I want something with grit!”).

Bernal fuses comedy and horror in the comedy sequel, “Kimmy Dora & the Temple of Kiyeme.” She relates, “We retrace the history of the twins’ family and how it is affected by Korean tradition.”

What were the challenges they encountered when the production shot in Korea during winter?  She replies, “It was shocking! A member of the crew said she wanted to go home, kasi hindi na n’ya kaya ang lamig! That was how difficult it was!”

How was it working with Eugene Domingo this time around?  Bernal notes, “She’s more confident—whether slapstick, mabait, masungit—kaya n’ya lahat! Eugene portrays three characters in the movie. It was a complicated juggling act for her—but, she came through with flying colors!”