Veteran actors lead the cast of timely film about mental health

Monching is thankful that his family has not gone through experiencing mental health problems. He is dad to four children, including Janine Gutierrez. “But I am aware na lahat tayo merong pinagdadaanan,” he admitted. “Hindi natin bina-bale wala ‘yun. Pinag-uusapan natin and like here sa movie, this can greatly help families and their children who undergo that kind of problem.”

They had a working script for “Breaking the Silence,” but it was revised by their director.

“Along the way, when direk Errol felt the need to change anything in the script, we adapted that to the story,” Monching added.

Pinky, for her part, acknowledged the professionalism of the young stars on the set. “Parang mas magulo pa yata kaming adult cast sa set,” she smilingly said. “Mas makulit pa kami. Mas mababait sila at very professional. They took this opportunity very seriously and we appreciate that.”

The issue of mental health is very current and timely, especially with the death last year of 19-year-old Emman Atienza, as pointed out by Pinky. “All around us, we see the importance of mental health,” said Pinky. “The young people need to realize the message of this film. So, I’m really thankful for being in this film.”

She may not be a mom in actual life, but she has played countless roles — contravida or not — of being the mom, be it on TV teleseryes or on the big screen.

Pinky also bragged about the technical set-up while filming that made it easy for the cast and crew. “We were working with a four-camera set-up and that proved good for everybody,” she said. “That was a great help to speed up the shoot and to capture intimate moments. The flow of the movie turned out easier for most of us.”

Young star Shira Tweg admitted she had to prepare for the filming of “Breaking the Silence,” especially when she learned she would be working with veteran actors like Pinky.

“I was super thankful to Miss Pinky because she was coaching me in the scenes, on what to exactly do and how to act,” said Shira. “That really helped my acting. Other than that, it was really a joy to work with her.”

Shira’s role that involves mental health was the first time for her to portray such a character. “This topic about mental health is really serious nowadays,” Shira said. “I applied what normal teenagers would feel these days.”

Direk Errol was thankful for the support of his executive producer, Ann Michelle Weber, for making “Breaking the Silence” come true. The film wrapped up early last year.

“Hindi ko malilimutan ang tiwala at suporta niyo sa akin,” direk Errol told the full-house audience at the recent red-carpet premiere of the film at Trinoma Cinema 7. “Ang pelikulang ito ay may dalang kwento na kailangan ng marinig.”

The original version that was screened on premiere night was the Director’s Cut of “Breaking the Silence,” which ran for two hours and 20 minutes.

“Mahaba ang pelikula dahil ipapakita namin ang buong kwento,” direk Errol said. “Walang minadali, walang tinapyasan sa emotion at konsepto. Mahalaga sa amin na makita niyo ang journey ng bawat character mula sa simula hanggang dulo.”

Other members in the cast include Jeffrey Santos, Bugoy Cariño, Potchi Angeles, Ryrie Sophia, Francis Saagundo, Achilles Ador, Zion Cruz and Gray Weber.

Direk Errol was happy that his veteran actors in the cast helped the new actors in their work. “Para mapaganda ang kanilang acting in most of the scenes,” said the director. “Natulungan talaga ang mga bata ng ating veteran actors. So, mas gumaling ‘yung mga bata. Malaking bagay na naka-eksena ng mga bata ang veteran actors.”

The director disclosed that “Breaking the Silence” will have two final versions when it’s finally exhibited in local theaters for two sets of audience. “That is for high school and elementary viewers,” said he. “Both films are sensitive and apt for their ages.”

For high school, the film will carry the sub-title “Behind the Smile” and for grade school, it will be “Behind the Shadow,” according to direk Errol. Both titles will have the acronym BTS or “Breaking the Silence.”

The film was initially screened in San Pablo, Laguna. It will also be screened in schools in Luzon — Batangas City, Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan and Cabanatuan, with the addition of Pampanga that is still being added to the schedule.

“This is not the typical entertainment movie that most audiences expect,” said direk Errol. “This is not something you will expect to watch to be relaxed. ‘Breaking the Silence’ will make you listen, reflect and sometimes to see into uncomfortable truths that are intentional.”

The theme of the movie is very timely, especially now. It is about mental health, which most students are experiencing, mostly unknown to their parents. “Even adults go through that,” said he. “Kadalasan hindi nakikita dahil walang ingay. Ang totoo, ang katahimikan minsan ang isang sigaw na parang humihingi sila ng tulong.”

“Bilang director, hindi ko ito ginawa para magturo o manghusga. Ginawa namin ang ‘Breaking the Silence’ para magbukas ng usapan sa loob ng pamilya, sa paaralan at sa loob ng ating mga sarili,” added he.

“Kung matatapos ang pelikula na may isang bata na bukas magsasalita o may isang magulang o guro na mas magiging maunawain, then the film has already done its purpose.”

Direk Errol thanked his producers, Ann and Lawrence Weber, the cast who were all present, the crew who trusted the screenplay, to the friends, media and visitors who graced the premiere night.

“Breaking the Silence” will be released in theaters this month and will also be shown in schools. The film focuses on the main characters’ struggles with mental health issues and how their families deal with the problem.

“Originally, the concept of ‘Breaking the Silence’ was only (for) schools and for higher level of learning for the students,” said direk Errol. “But when I talked to our producer, I told Ma’am Ann the movie can capture elementary audiences. She helped me choose young actors to be included in the cast. The other veteran actors, most of them I know personally, and are my friends whom I worked with in the past.”

For “Breaking the Silence,” he acknowledged the students of Biñan Science and Technology High School, where the film was partly shot. “Isa ito sa pelikula ko na napakaraming cast,” the director asserted. “There was a day we shot in Biñan, and our producer had to feed 150 children at Kenny Rogers. Everything went well with the students who acted in our film.”

Unlike past movies that addressed mental health, “Breaking the Silence” demonstrates how bullying in school led to children’s anxiety and self-doubt.

Another aspect influencing children’s mental stress, as depicted in the film, was their desire for affection and care. True to life, young people, like adults, feel the stress, which is often disregarded.

“We believe that what passes through children’s minds and emotions should be portrayed in movies. While we usually see children playing and laughing, some of them are saddened by life,” the director said.

“We are happy to screen the movie, particularly in schools, since it will help students who deal with mental health issues at such a young age,” he added.

Sharing her children’s own experiences with trauma and bullying, the story holds special meaning for Miss Ann.

“When I heard the movie’s premise, I instantly thought of my children, particularly Yvo, who was teased for being physically different and Mavi, my oldest child, who suffered trauma from a broken family and bullying at her previous school in the United States. The story became even more relatable as a result,” she revealed.

Direk Errol previously helmed “Mga Munting Tala sa Sinagtala,” which was shown last year. — Leah C. Salterio