Solenn Heussaff on telling a very real story about marriage

MANILA, Philippines — After years away from the big screen, Solenn Heusaff admits she was nervous stepping back into a movie set.

Her latest film, the Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 entry “UnMarry” directed by Jeffrey Jeturian and topbilled by Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo, is her first acting project since 2018, following a long pause due to motherhood, the pandemic and a conscious decision to slow down. Her character is that of Zanjoe’s wife, who is determined to have their marriage nullified.

“I was super nervous about this film just because the last film I did was 2018,” Solenn shared. “The last time I did one, I was pregnant.”

“I’ve never wanted to veer away from movies or showbiz. I just wanted to kind of slow down a little bit because before I would just say yes to anything that would come my way,” she said. “Basta ma-experience ko, I can add it to my portfolio… so I never really got to focus.”

Becoming a mother changed her priorities, and with it, her approach to work.

“After having kids, I just wanna spend more time with them and if I work, I wanted to be more quality work more than quantity,” said the mom of two.

That mindset led her back — carefully — to film. Two years ago, she remembers telling her husband Nico Bolzico that she wanted to return, but only if the project felt right.

“I did tell my husband, I said, ‘You know what? I wanna kind of go back little by little, if the right projects come along or fit interest me.’”

The moment she heard who she would be working with in “UnMarry,” she was immediately close to saying yes.

“Even before reading the script, 80 percent na ako because I saw who the actors were gonna (be in the film,)” she said. “Angelica, Zanjoe — you know they’re all amazing actors. Just being casted among them was already like a pinch-me moment.”

When she finally read the script, she felt it was the right way to reintroduce herself as an actress.

Still, the nerves stayed with her, especially as reactions started coming in. The film officially premiered on Christmas Day.

“Reading the comments until now, like I tell Nico, ‘Oh my God, parang I wanna cry,’” she said.

“This is my first in so many years, so reading good comments is really such a motivation that I made the right choice naman to try (acting) again.”

“The role of Maya (my character’s name) is not huge, but it’s very important in the movie,” she explained. “So I had that challenge of bringing something really nice and working hard without the pressure of being the lead actor.”

What drew Solenn in the most was the film’s honesty about relationships.

“I just love that this movie kind of shed light that not all relationships are perfect.”

Asked about her personal view on annulment in the Philippines, Solenn didn’t sugarcoat it.

“It’s never easy to let go of anything or anyone,” she said. “When it comes to court, you really need to talk about each other in ways that are hard to give just to prove a point. You have to relive certain moments.”

Solenn with comebacking director Jeffrey Jeturian on the set of the family/legal drama.

Still, she acknowledged its importance.

“At least it’s there,” she said. “At least for those who feel trapped, there’s a way to kind of try to get themselves out of it.”

The film also reaffirmed Solenn’s long-held beliefs about marriage.

“It’s not because you get married that it becomes a walk in the park,” she said. “Marriage is really about constant communication.”

She added, “It’s a lot of hard work, even if the relationship is good.”

One of the most emotional moments for Solenn — and for viewers — in “UnMarry” was a scene involving Zack Sibug who plays her child affected by his parents’ separation.

“It really takes a toll not just on a couple, but everyone around them,” she said. “Kids, they sense it. Even if you don’t talk or fight in front of them, they feel it.”

Seeing that scene onscreen hit her hard.

“That scene was so touching in so many ways kasi napaka-mature ng bata, pero bata pa rin siya,” she said. “I cried even more during the cinema (premiere).”

Working with Zanjoe was another highlight and challenge.

“I was very nervous, obviously, because I know magaling siya talaga na artista,” she said.

She credits motherhood for changing her acting process in playing the role of a wife and mom to Zanjoe’s character.

“This is my first film since I became a mom, so there’s that quiet sensitivity,” she said. “Whatever my co-actor will give me, I try to return.”

She recalled a particularly emotional day on set.

“There was one day I was sick… the emotions were coming out and he was really helping me,” she said. “He was in front of me and crying even if it was not his scene. I really felt so touched by that.”

As for working with Angelica, Solenn hopes it won’t be the last.

“She’s just so natural whether it’s drama or comedy,” she said.

Looking back, Solenn describes the film as raw, quiet and deeply human.

“It was very real,” she said. “It’s about empathy and compassion and hope.”

“If you’re not happy,” she further reflected, “then everything around you kind of goes down with you. This movie is really about empowering people to know that they have a choice.”

“UnMarry,” under Quantum Films and Cineko Productions, is now showing in cinemas nationwide.