On a different level

FOR all the talk about the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) being about box-office results, with participating producers acting accordingly, relying on proven formulas in crafting entries, it is quite a pleasant surprise to hear the creators of “Aurora” actually focused more on offering audiences something new.

Of course, we’ve heard this before but film director Yam Laranas insisted it’s more than just hype in “Aurora’s” case.

He said, “Iba kasi talaga ito eh. It’s not your usual horror offering. Actually, we have a description for it. We call it ‘elevated horror,’ horror on a whole new level.”

It sounds intriguing at best but if there’s anyone who could claim such it’s Laranas.

The director, after all, is considered among masters of the genre, with past outputs like “Sigaw,” itself a top earner at the 2004 MMFF, and “The Road,” earning good reviews even abroad.

“Aurora” also defied casting norms, at least for an MMFF entry, relying on one big star, in this instance, Anne Curtis, going head-to-head with starstudded competitors.

“But Anne more than proved she got what it takes to make ‘Aurora’ work,” said Laranas. “In fact, I think she is a shoo-in for Best Actress this year based on her performance in the film.” Laranas related how Anne even braved deep, cold waters just to make one scene look more believable. “She actually had a double but she did the scene herself anyway,” he said. Curtis, on her part, was quick to downplay suggestions she was being daring simply because she is gunning for the Best Actress plum, something she already achieved prior at the 2008 MMFF via “Baler.”

“I don’t work on a film thinking of winning an award. I work on a film believing I could add to it,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong. I would love to get an award also. It’s a nice feeling to be recognized for your work but it’s just cherry on top.” From Viva Films and Aliud Entertainment, “Aurora” also stars Marco Gumabao, Alan Paule and Phoebe Villamor, among others.