Italian actor-director Ruben Soriquez: I want to do films also for the Filipino audience
AFTER winning acclaim for his portrayal as a priest with a past in “Of Sinners and Saints,” Ruben Maria Soriquez is back in another project set to add luster to his illustrious acting and directing career.
He stars in “Una Famiglia Perfetta”( A Perfect Family) which will premiere at the 11th International Silent Film Festival.
“It’s an experimental film. It started like a joke when I was doing Dolce Amore. When I felt I needed to do something , I started shooting with the family,” he opened up.
“It’s a silent film just like in the ‘60s or ‘70s . No sound, but there’s dialogue but only subtitles. The main characters are me, my wife and my son. My wife, Red Ibasco is a Philippine theater actress,” he added.
The movie will be shown on September 2 at Shang Cineplex on a first come, first served basis.
“A Filipino band “Tom Story” will be playing live on widescreen . It’s quite unusual but I felt it was interesting to read before an audience while they play music. It’s very experimental and different from the usual film we see.
“It’s a mix of different genres: documentary, comedy and video clips from my family. It has also drama and there’s also some killings but you don’t know if it’s real or just a product of the imagination. It was shot in five different countries: Hongkong, Italy, Amsterdam, Paris and the Philippines,” he said.
Although the movie was in fact, a family affair, his eldest son, who’s now 15, is not in the feature.
“The idea is just a family of three and about this little kid in the story. He likes superheroes and he’ll be donning a Batman suit in the film,” he explained.
He also said that it was his youngest who wanted to follow in his footsteps.
“My youngest Kim says that he wants to be an actor but my eldest, who lives in Italy, wants to be a doctor,” he revealed.
Ruben also said that the Pinoys will forever have a soft spot in his heart.
“Many people do not know that I am half-Filipino. My father is a Pinoy from Mindoro and I have brothers also in Samar. I have learned to love the Pinoy culture that’s why I want to do films also for the Filipino audience,” he quipped.
He also admitted that his well-loved role as the kind-hearted Padre Roberto Marchesa, Liza Soberano’s adoptive father, in the top rating Lizquen soap “Dolce Amore” paved the way for his newfound popularity in the country.
“A lot of people recognize me when I go around. They can identify with my role. When they see me, they greet me and smile. They want to take pictures and sometimes autographs with me. I like the Filipino people because they are polite and friendly,” he enthused.
Aside from “A Perfect Family,” Ruben is now in the post-production of his new movie.
“I have a new movie, it’s called “Spider’s Men.” I’m playful here. It’s a dark comedy with some drama in it. My cast includes Lee O’brien, Jeff Tam, Richard Quan, Rob Sy, among others,” he concluded.
Ruben won top acting awards for his performance in “Of Sinners and Saints” which he wrote and directed in the 1st World Premiere Film Festival in Manila in 2015, International Independent Film Awards in California in 2016 and recently, in the Indian World Film Festival in Hyderabad, India.
The 11th International Silent Film Festival will be held from August 31 until September 2 at the Shang Cineplex.
It is made possible in partnership with Shangri-La Plaza, Para sa Sining, the National Film Center of The Museum of Modern Art of Tokyo, the Embassies of Italy, Japan, and Spain, Filmoteca de España, Institut Français, JEC Philippines and Marks & Spencer London.
