MARAMI ang masosorpresa sa ginawang paglabas ni Julia Barretto sa kanyang comfort zone para sa kauna-unahang horror movie niyang Bahay na Pula ng Viva Films.

Kung dati ay pa-tweetums o rom-com lamang ang nilalabasan niyang mga proyekto, sa Bahay na Pula, na streaming na sa Vivamax simula February 25, meron siyang shower at lovemaking scenes.

Malaking bagay daw ang tiwala at suportang ibinigay sa kanya ni Direk Brillante Mendoza para magampanan nang buong husay ang karakter ni Jane, misis ni Marco (Xian Lim), na magkakaroon ng nakakakilabot na karanasan nang umuwi sa kanilang ancestral home.

Pahayag ng aktres sa katatapos na press preview/presscon ng movie, “It’s my first horror film so I didn’t know what to expect and that’s what was really scary. And sa napanood n’yo naman ho, I’m really overwhelmed watching myself get out of my comfort zone although it’s something that at the same time, I’m proud of myself. And my experience working with Direk (Dante), like I said, I think I’ll never be the same as a person, as an actor after having that experience with Direk. Ayun, I had quite… just a turning point experience siguro, kasi nga, ang layo nito sa mga nagawa ko before.”

Gustung-gusto nga ni Julia ang istilo ng pagdidirek ng batikan at multi-awarded director kaya pakiramdam niya, binago nito ang kanyang pananaw sa lahat ng bagay.

“It really takes us to discover a new experience and the entire journey and parang you don’t miss out on any moment and as a moviegoer, and I love watching movies also, I like being in the experience and being in every footstep and every move of the characters that I’m watching, so, handheld.”

Kwento pa ng aktres, sobrang bait at cool na direktor ni Direk Brillante. “Legend” nga raw ang tawag nila rito habang nasa lock-in shooting sa Pola, Mindoro.

“We like to call him that on the set. But what’s wonderful about him is you get to talk to him. I think it’s a very healthy environment when you get a conversation with your director, with the captain of the ship,” dagdag pa niya. “I just never felt the same when I’m done shooting the film.”

Pagdating naman sa maseselang eksena sa Bahay na Pula, nakatulong daw na bago pa nagsimula ang production ay nailatag na niya sa direktor at sa producer na si Boss Vic del Rosario ang mga bagay na kumportable at ’di siya kumportableng gawin.

“We’re growing old and we’re growing up and if I really wanna be committed and passionate to my craft, it’s a job I have to take.

“I recently did a film, Expensive Candy, and I think that’s another film that required a lot of just courage and bravery so I feel paunti-unti, nakakagawa na ako ng mga pelikulang ginawa ni Marco Gumabao,” hirit pa ni Julia.

Speaking of Marco, nasa cast din siya ng Bahay na Pula bilang si Roger, ex-boyfriend ni Jane.

“It’s not just about doing love scenes and doing things for the first time, it’s just always being brave and courageous and very… I just wanna, as much as possible, be willing and be committed to the craft that I’ve committed myself to.

“Ayoko rin naman na masyadong magkaroon ng limitations kasi, siyempre, parang binibigyan ko rin ng limitations ’yung mga tao na nasa likod ng creative process ng pelikula. So you have to give them the trust because they’re giving me the trust and malaking bagay kasi sa akin ’yung pinagkakatiwalaan ako so as much as possible, pinapahalagahan ko ’yon, iniingatan ko ’yon. So ’yun talaga, tumatanda na rin ako, eh, wala na akong excuse na ‘ay, ayoko, ayoko,’” diin ng aktres.

Bukod kina Julia, Xian at Marco, may mahalagang papel din sa Bahay na Pula ang character actress na si Erlinda Villalobos bilang si Ising.

Mapapanood na ang pelikula via streaming sa Vivamax Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Macao, Vietnam, Brunei, Maldives, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Europe, Canada at USA simula February 25.