Newcomer Mary Joy Apostol gets her biggest break in “Birdshot”
Dynamic new actress Mary Joy Apostol gets her biggest break in the critically-acclaimed movie “Birdshot” by Mikhail Red.
“ I play the role po ng local girl na nakabaril po ng endangered na Philippine eagle na hindi po sinasadya, pero mas malalim pa po ang istorya niya roon,” she said.
“Actually, 17 years old pa po ako noong nag-shoot kami. Now, I’m 19. So, 2015 pa po siya, inabot kasi po ng almost a year ang editing para mapaganda po iyong movie,” she added.
Mary Joy is currently studying Tourism in Bulacan State University.
“Plano ko po na makapagtapos pero kapag may opportunity po tulad po nitong sa “Birdshot”, igra-grab ko naman po siya,” she said.
She says acting is not new for her.
“Before po kasi na nag-shoot ako ng film, lumalabas na po ako sa TV kaya lang po guesting lang po siya kasi nag-i-school po ako,” she shared.
“First film ko po iyong short film na “Unawa” ni Pamela Reyes. First acting experience ko iyon. Nakita po nila ako roon tapos ni-recommend po ako then, nag-audition po ako para sa “Birdshot” and luckily po, natanggap,” she added.
In preparation for her role as Maya, she underwent workshops.
“Before po ng shoot, nag-workshop po ako. Tinuruan po nila ako kung paano humawak ng baril. Nag-workshop din po ako with the dog na kasama sa movie at kung paano po magpapastol ng dog. Sa Isabela po kami nag-shoot.
“Siyempre, nahirapan po ako sa sa gun dahil mabigat po siya. Para po ma-guide ako, pinapanood po ako ng Direk sa Youtube kung paano iyong effect ng gun kasi iyong totoong gun, sobrang hirap at bigat noon na habang hawak ko kailangan kong mag-act din nang natural,” she pointed out.
She is also ecstatic that the movie was chosen as an entry to the first Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.
“Happy po ako dahil palabas na siya at mapapanood ng wider audience at maraming Pinoy po ang makakapanood. Naipalabas na po siya abroad sa mga international filmfests at maganda naman po ang naging reception at reviews, pero iba rin po kung mapapanood siya ng ating mga kababayan,” she quipped.
Mary Joy is also honored to be part of a movie that supports a noble cause.
“Nagkaroon po siya ng special screening. Iyong proceeds po ay napunta po sa Philippine Eagle Foundation na nangangalaga po ng ating kalikasan at ng ating mga endangered species like iyong Philippine eagle po.
“So, malaking bagay po para sa akin na, nagiging instrumento ang pelikula mo para makatulong ka sa ibang cause-oriented organizations,” she explained.
“Mary is also doing a series for I Want TV.
“Nagte-taping po ako sa I Want TV. Isang series po siya na connected sa La Luna Sangre,” she concluded.
“Birdshot” is a provocative coming-of-age thriller that tells a story of a young Filipino teenage girl who wanders into the boundaries of a Philippine reservation forest.
Deep within the reservation, she mistakenly shoots and kills a critically endangered and protected Philippine eagle. As the local authorities begin a manhunt to track down the poacher of a national bird, their investigation leads them to an even more horrific discovery.
Produced by PelikulaRed and TBA Studios, the indie studio outfit behind such acclaimed films as “Heneral Luna,” “Sunday Beauty Queen,” “I’m Drunk, I Love You” and “Bliss,” it also stars John Arcilla, Arnold Reyes and Ku Aquino.
Distributed by Solar Films, the movie is currently playing in cinemas nationwide in more than 80 screens.
