Barbie Forteza gets master class from icons in ‘Until She Remembers’

Being part of the forthcoming movie titled “Until She Remembers” will always occupy a special spot in Barbie Forteza’s heart and mind, or memory, as one may add.

The versatile actress had the chance to collaborate with seasoned actresses Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo and Charo Santos-Concio as well as famed auteur Brillante Mendoza in the film, which will begin its cinema screenings on Feb. 25.

It’s a privilege for artists like Barbie to hold their own in the presence of these icons and learn from them by observing and doing.

“Lucky is the right word. I’m very lucky and privileged to be working with these three brilliant (artists) of our industry,” said Barbie in a recent presscon. “Isa po ito sa napaka-laking career milestone na feeling ko hanggang sa ka-apo-apuhan ko ipagmamalaki ko (I consider it one of my big career milestones, and I feel that I will take pride in it until I have my own grandchildren).”

And she could attest to their brilliance and work ethic at work.

“And ang masasabi ko po (what I can say) is, working with these three brilliant artists, napakalaki ho ng pangalan nila sa ating industriya, pero (who are big names in the industry, but) once they step on the set, wala lahat yun,” said she. “Napaka-humble, down-to-heart and everyone is ready to work, lahat para sa pelikula at lahat para sa ikagaganda ng storya (for the movie and its story). I’m very grateful to be part of this very wonderful project.”

Given the “who’s who” in it, the TV and movie actress definitely had a pinch-me moment, as one may put it.

“Parang (it seemed that) everything felt so surreal for me, but also this really reminded me of why I do what I do,” said Barbie. “And to be part of this film, parang napaka-privilege ko dahil ibig sabihin parang… seryoso ang tingin sa akin ng mga tao kasi nagtiwala sila enough to put me in this film, and I will forever be grateful to people who respect me that way because I want to be here for the long run as well.”

Since a movie set can be likened to a classroom, Barbie has gained more insights on building a character from the ground up with Boots, Charo and Brillante.

In the movie, Barbie plays a granddaughter named Angel, who is about to learn what the greatest love is. The latter’s grandmother, Concha (played by Charo), has a friend in Catherine (Boots). Angel and Concha decide to take care of Catherine, who is suffering from dementia. The movie also touches on family dynamics and gender.

“Yung kanilang craft kapag na-experience mo pala (when you experience their acting and directing craft) first hand, parang nag-iiba din ang tingin mo sa mga artista (it’s like your perspective about your fellow artists changes) in general. Mas lumawak po ang aking pang-unawa at pag-intindi sa ating mga actors today (my understanding about our actors today has broadened),” shared she.

As for being directed by Brillante and coming into the set without a script but only bringing raw emotions to play the role, Barbie said, “Actually, lagi ko ngang sinasabi na (I always say that) working with direk Brillante is like taking up a master class in directing and filmmaking dahil yun po talaga ang istilo ni direk Brillante (since it’s really the style of his). Kilala po siya sa paggawa ng pelikula na walang script (he’s known for filming without a script), and for a young actor like me to experience that kind of filmmaking, napaka-ganda nung experience na yun (it was a wonderful experience).”

“I feel like talagang mas lumalim ang aking (it has deepened and furthered my) understanding in terms of the narrative of the story kasi na-realize ko sa pelikulang ito na nag-wo-work pa rin ang pelikula at ang storytelling kahit wala kang script (and I’ve realized through ‘Until She Remembers’ that the movie and the storytelling will still work without a script),” added she. “It’s all about the narrative and the message that you want to convey to the audience, and napaka-laking bagay po na ano, eh, punong-puno ng lalim at puso ang bawat isa sa amin gumanap sa pelikulang ito (it’s a big thing that we were full with depth and heart in playing the roles in the movie) dahil hindi kami nawala ng landas o hindi kami nawala sa direksyon dahil may core kaming sinusunod (because we never lost track or never veered away from the direction of the film), and again the captain of the ship, grabe, sa work ethics din talaga (the director’s work ethic is great).”

Direk Brillante shared that he doesn’t provide a script to actors and considers them as his co-creators of the movie and its narrative, as one could glean. There’s a script, which serves as a guide for the production people. Since he had conceptualized the story and written the script, the director knew how it would unfold as they filmed it.

Please watch “Until She Remembers” on Feb. 25 in cinemas nationwide. It is presented by Solar Studios Inc. and Center Stage Productions.