Janine Gutierrez never been more proud to be Pinoy at Venice

MANILA  — Kapamilya actress Janine Gutierrez never felt more proud to be Filipino than at the world premiere of Lav Diaz’s “Phantosmia” at the Venice Film Festival.

According to Gutierrez, the 4-hour film, which she believes showcased the best of Filipino filmmaking to the world, received a standing ovation.

“Nakakatawa kasi si ate Hazel (Orencio), our producer, she was teary-eyed kasi puno screening. Puro Europeans ang audience. Ramdam ko na ang dami tagahanga ni Direk Lav. 30 minutes in the film I realized kami lang nakaka-intindi. Sila subtitles, the same way we do sa K-drama. Sobra nakakakilig.  Ang saya na Filipino films pinapanood nila,” she said in an interview in Quezon City.

“Si Direk Lav is too true to Filipino stories. Siyempre, di ‘ba minsan may pressure to be K-drama style or Hollywood style, pero kay Direk it is so simple and stripped down. There is also beauty on that,” she also explained.

 

Gutierrez also shared that walking on the red carpet of the Venice Film Festival was a “dream come true.”

“Surreal. ‘Yun na pinakamalaking red carpet na nalakaran ko ever. Ang dami kasi mga tao nag-aabang sa red carpet. Nag-ca-camp-out sa Hollywood stars. It was exciting to walk lang with our team,” she recalled.

The “Lavender Fields” actress added that the experience motivated her to further push her limits.

“Sobrang I am all the more inspired now. Sobrang pangarap ko mag-Venice and these types of film festivals. When I was there, may fan who flew from the US. TFC. To see so much effort, sobrang ganon din nararamdaman ko na effort,” she said.

Although Gutierrez has had projects that were recognized internationally, such as “Dirty Linen,” she revealed she does not plan to pursue opportunities abroad but hopes to instead continue creating local projects that will put a spotlight on Filipino talents.

“I really prefer gumawa ng project dito. Hopefully that is what gets discovered internationally. Not really for me to move elsewhere and start a career there. Gusto ko if I do have project outside, it is something I did here,” she reasoned.

The actress is also thankful for the “continuous blessings” she has recently received— such as the positive reception of “Lavander Fields” which premiered on the same day.

“We are so happy. I guess unexpected ‘yung reception and ‘yung number of viewers. Sobrang thankful kami. We look forward din watching the scenes on Netflix. Makita sa X or Facebook reactions. Excited kami na excited sila sa eksena,” she said.

“I am so happy na parang sunod-sunod  blessings. ‘Lavender Fields’ nagkataon on the same day nag-premiere. I am so grateful sa lahat ng nagbibigay ng pagkakataon maging parte ng project. Sobrang I owe it to them,” she added.