Richard Somes explores the afterlife in ‘Near Death’
MANILA, Philippines — In his new film “Near Death,” Richard Somes returns to his horror roots while expanding his work as a producer, writer and director willing to explore themes that are deeper, darker, if not more difficult to tread.
“It’s another venture — producing my own film,” Richard said in a recent interview with The STAR. “I’m always glad na may mga nagpa-partners pa rin na mga young entrepreneurs also … that at least, when they see the script, they say yes to (it). It’s exciting na sariling sikap ba.”
“I’ve been producing most of my films since the indie days. That’s my training ground,” he recalled. “I produced an action film that I brought to the New York Asian Film Festival, ‘We Will Not Die Tonight’ with Erich (Gonzales). Doon nabuksan talaga ang pananaw ko na somehow nakaka-penetrate tayo, that we could really make waves anywhere in the world, kahit maliit lang siya na project.”
He followed it up with the PTSD-themed action-thriller “Topakk (Triggered),” which he also brought to international festivals such as Cannes and Locarno.
But with “Near Death,” the filmmaker from Bacolod found himself circling back to the genre that first defined his work. “So, this is our new venture. It’s an undying passion kasi ngayon it’s just so hard to really make films for cinemas.”
In case you don’t know, Richard started out as a horror director via “Shake, Rattle & Roll” in 2005.
“My first two projects really started in horror — from ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’ (wherein) I made ‘Ang Lihim ng San Joaquin’ episode starring Mark Anthony Fernandez and Tanya Garcia. Then I made ‘Yanggaw,’ an Ilonggo indie film that became critically acclaimed kahit small budget lang for Cinema One Originals.
“After that, I did ‘Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang’ starring Derek Ramsay and Erich. And then, tuloy-tuloy na.”
He later then transitioned to larger productions and crossed over to others genres, particularly action. (He’s currently one of the directors of the hit ABS-CBN primetime show “Batang Quiapo.”)
Now, he’s back directing and writing horror. “Near Death’ is really a personal film to me. Sabi ko nga, it’s like coming home again — going back to my roots of doing a horror film na sobrang indie spirit, yung vision ko nasunod and I got the actors that I really planned on getting.”
But Richard also said that it’s more than horror. There are spiritual and psychological themes, rooted in questions of mortality and the afterlife.
“‘Near Death’ is a spiritual journey towards the afterlife. It’s a question of, is there life after death? And kung meron, ano ang magiging experience mo?” Richard said.
“Since childhood kasi, I’ve been questioning that... It’s always a question of your spiritual beliefs and moral beliefs, kung ano ba dapat ang gawin? As we age, take it slow, start to listen to ourselves, there are times you get to question that. When you’re young, it doesn’t cross your mind yet but sooner or later, you will come to really focus on that, oo nga no? Hindi mo man siya ma-prevent. It’s something inevitable.”
He described the film as a psychological horror, with its central character, Julia (played by Charlie Dizon), dealing with sadness and depression.
“It’s a psychological horror film because it deals with a challenging premise. It dwells on what’s happening in the world right now, which is a strong influence ng mental illness and mental disorder,” he hinted at the film’s storyline.
On casting Charlie as the lead, he said, “She’s a strong and powerful actress, and you’ll see in the film. Because this is not your typical horror film na may jump scare. I believe in a horror story, dapat ang bida mo should be ‘tormented’ and ‘tested’ on screen.”
When asked if he personally believes in life after death, direk Richard answered without hesitation, “I really believe that there’s life after death, I truly believe that there’s a Supreme Being...”
“That’s the reason why I wrote this film,” he said. “Because I grew up as a Catholic school boy and I really grew up in church. Siempre yun yung mga mga lessons every now and then...
“During those times, I was really scared about the end of the world. I discovered pala sa Filipinos and in every culture, may iba-ibang fears. The fear of the Filipinos is not about the aswang or the multo, but I realized it’s the fear of sin. Takot tayong magkamali, takot tayong magkasala because paparusahan tayo. So yun palang, it’s a ‘haunting’ na challenge.”
Richard’ fascination with darker themes, both visual and emotional, runs through his body of work and even in his other pursuits like visual arts and painting. “I have a fascination lang sa darkness not because I’m a dark person, but because it’s about confronting your innermost struggles... Most of the times takot ka i-confront yung mga ganun. Ako, I explore that.
“But promise, I’m a very wholesome and spiritual na tao,” he laughed.
The director, likewise, clarified that while he experienced an accident or “gulo” when he was younger, he’s never had any near-death experience to influence his film.
He, nevertheless, reiterated that the story is “really a spiritual journey for me,” adding that “in a way, somehow (the takeaway is) you just want to be good to yourself and be kind nalang to everyone else. Baka yun nalang yung isang consolation and gratification na magawa mo, na maging OK ‘pag wala ka na dito sa mundo, di ba?”
As a storyteller, who’s trying to stretch his limits by weaving action, horror and even the metaphysical into stories that touch on delicate topics, he also stressed that with his latest big-screen offering, “I don’t want to preach what’s right or what’s wrong … It’s not about exploiting the sensitive issues (or issue), but about giving light to it.
“The premise of the film is something that needs to be discussed. It’s something na pwede mapag-usapan.”
“Near Death” has been given an R-13 rating by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and opens in SM Cinemas nationwide today as part of the Sine Sindak festival. The cast also includes Xyriel Manabat, RK Bagatsing and Lotlot de Leon.
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