NANINIBAGO pa rin si Xian Lim na tinatawag siya ng kapwa artistang Direk Xian. Hindi aw daw siya sa sanay sa ganitong tawag lalo na’t baguhang direktor lang naman siya.
“Nakaka-panibago talaga. But directing is something that I really want to do from the start of my acting career. I always wanted to be behind the camera and that’s exciting for m,.” reaksyon ng actor-director sa story conference ng latest directorial movie niyang Hello, Universe mula sa Viva Films.
Ang Hello Universe na pinagbibidahan ng mga veteran comedians na sina Janno Gibbs, Benjie Paras at Anjo Yllana ang second full length film ni Xian bilang director. His directorial debut was the Cinemalaya film titled Tabon noong 2019.
Patuloy ni Xian, “Directing is something that I really need to do to satisfy the heart. Wow!.”
Ibinahagi rin ni Xian ang nararamdaman niyang excitement bilang katrabaho sina Janno, Benjie, Anjo at iba pang cast ng Hello Universe including Sunshine Guimary, Madeline Red, Joe Vargas, MJ Cayabyab and Gene Padilla.
“Seeing the newcomers who are part of the cast, you know right away ibibigay nila ang lahat to this project. You can see the passion and enthusiasm in their eyes.
“Si Kuya Anjo and Kuya Janno, it’s such an honor to be working with them. Bata pa lang ako, ini-idolo ko na sila. It is such an honor to be graced by their presence so they can bring their years of experience in the industry to this material that we have,” sabi pa ni Xian.
Idinagdag din ni Xian nahabang sinusulat at kino-conceptualize pa lang niya ang Hello Universe ay sina Janno at Anjo na talaga ang first choice niya para sa pelikula.
Lahad ng binata, “I requested for all the names. They will be perfect to play the part. I worked with these guys and I presented to them this riot of a film. “
“A couple of days ago, we were talking with the production team, ibang-iba from reading the material first, then binigyang buhay ng cast namin. Then, they read the material again, it had a new life. Talagang nakaka-inspire to be around these people. Hearing what the cast commented before we all started working, nakakatunaw ng puso. Ang hirap to put into words yung nararamdaman ko. At the same time, I get really emotional.
“With all the hard work that the whole creative team, the producers put in, they really made sure that all the characters will shine in their own right. I made a promise to all the cast that they will look beautiful and they will look great because this is a different kind of film. Something new and something fresh,” paniniguro pa niya.
Hindi naman itinanggini Xian na nakakaramdam din siya ng pressure sa bagong film project.
“Definitely, I felt that pressure during the casting process when they all said yes. Nakaka-excite to see the final roster of stars.
“As director, hindi mawawala ang pressure. I just keep in mind my responsibility to all of them. At the same time, ang konting bilin ko sa kanila is to enjoy the script. The script that we have, we’ll make it as fun as possible,” pagtatapat ni Xian.
“Isa lang naman ang goal ng pelikula — to tell a story. Something fun, something light,” dagdag pa niyang pahayag.
