Posted by ReyFort Media
Actor Richard Gutierrez is returning to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) with a stronger commitment to supporting local cinema, a sentiment he says is echoed by many artists and producers trying to revive the country’s moviegoing culture.
Speaking at the press conference for MMFF entry Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins, Richard described the project as a perfect alignment of timing, opportunity, and passion.
“Shake, Rattle & Roll really came at the perfect timing; everything just aligned. It’s the resurgence of Regal, and I’m so happy to be part of it,” he said.
The actor has not had an MMFF entry since 2018, and he sees his return as part of a larger industry push to rebuild audiences disrupted by the pandemic and the rise of streaming platforms.
“We have an advocacy now from artists, producers, and everyone to get people back to the cinemas to fill up the seats again. That’s really what we hope to achieve this Christmas season,” added Richard.
The actor stars in the third episode of the anthology, alongside Ivana Alawi and Dustin Yu, set in a post-apocalyptic 2050 where survival against all odds drives the story. While the film is firmly rooted in horror, he said it incorporates a fresh brand of action.
“This is a horror film, but we added a touch of action to it. It’s not tactical. We tried to do it more raw, like survival,” he shared.
He also praised co-star Ivana for her dedication to performing her own stunts.
“She always wants to give her best. In her action scenes, she almost never uses a double,” Richard said, adding that despite the physically demanding work and long hours, professionalism prevailed.
Returning to horror for the first time since Patient X, Richard emphasized the deeply Filipino identity of the series.
“Shake, Rattle & Roll is truly Filipino. We all grew up with it, and I’m just so happy that it’s back. It’s back at the MMFF, and I’m happy to be part of it. It’s my first Shake, Rattle & Roll,” the actor told Manila Standard Entertainment.
“And yes, from the moment the concept was presented to me, I said it’s good to be back in a horror film. I want to do a horror film like this again,” he added.
Looking beyond MMFF, he is also preparing for upcoming teleserye work with ABS-CBN and another Regal film. But for now, his focus is on supporting the local film industry and encouraging viewers to rediscover the magic of the big screen.
“We just really want people to come back to the theaters,” he stated. (A. Villanueva/Manila standard)
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