Olivia M. Lamasan admitted that it was a challenge for her to helm Barcelona: A Love Untold, the new film of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.
It is because the movie, which premieres on September 14 in cinemas, serves as the love team's transition movie from teeny-bopper roles to more mature portrayals.
Direk Olive said during her September 6 media day for Barcelona, "Yung kwento, kind of tricky because of their limitations.
"Di ba, nagta-transition sila so teenagers pa sila, parang ano yung klase ng kwento at anong klase nang paglalahad ang i-implement namin ni Carmi [Raymundo, writer] kasi limited pa sila.
"We cannot really delve into heavy relational issues that would require physical intimacy.
"Kaya the way we crafted the storytelling? That was really challenging for me and Carmi.
"Siyempre, mahirap yun pag sanay ka sa teenybopper [roles] tapos tina-transition mo sila, parang ipinapanganak mo silang maging mama at maging dalaga, so that was really a challenge."
However, Direk Olive (also called Inang by colleagues) and Carmi both observed that Kathryn and Daniel have changed in terms of their attitude towards work.
Direk Olive also recalled when she had a conversation with Kathryn about the project, most especially she came from her portrayal as Yna in Pangako Sa 'Yo.
She related, "On the onset, I asked Kathryn, 'Why did you accept this project?'
"She said, 'Inang, I want to be able to explore kung hanggang saan ko madadala yung aking acting ability.'
"You know she came from Pangako na parang hindi maganda yung naging reception of how she played the Yna character because she was heavily compared to Kristine Hermosa.
"She was very honest in saying, 'I want to be able to prove myself.'
"And ako, malaki ang tiwala ko kay Kathryn kasi lumaki yan sa akin, e. Ang galing galing niya noong bata siya.
"Sabi ko, 'Then at least, that's clear, trabahuhin natin but that just depends on how open you will be, how open and how willing you will be in me guiding you.'"
On the other hand, Direk Olive said that Daniel has exuded his intelligence while preparing for the role of Ely.
"Si Daniel naman, noong nag-uumpisa kami sa Pangako in studying [the character], I found him to be a very intelligent fellow, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to handle them in Pangako.
"Pagdating dito, pinag-uusapan ulit yung character, diniscuss namin. Tapos sila Carmi, sinasabi nung first shooting day, ibang-iba sila."
Carmi then said, "Kasi di ba, noong [She's Dating the] Gangster at CBY [Crazy Beautiful You], pag kasama namin sila, naglalaro kami, enjoy, play sa set.
"Sabi ko kay Inang, first day pa lang noong kinunan namin si Daniel, 'Inang, iba siya, iba talaga.'
"Normally kami, after take, laro kami. Ito after take, nakatabi kay Inang, pinapanood yung feedback, nagpi-priview tapos iba yung atensyon sa instructions na binibigay ni Inang.
"Umi-input na rin ang lolo mo! Kahit si Kath!"
Because of Carmi and the staff's comments about Daniel, Direk Olive asked him about this.
She related, "Si DJ, sabi ko, 'Bakit sabi nila Carmi, iba ka raw?'
"Sabi niya, 'Inang, grabe, parang sobra akong excited sa pelikulang ito.'
"'Dito parang naramdaman ko na I need to focus, kailangan kong aralin talaga yung role.'
"Tapos naramdaman ko na we're talking about craft, [sabi niya], 'Ngayon ko lang naintindihan yung craft.'"
Barcelona: A Love Untold writer Carmi Raymundo (left) and director Olive Lamasan (right)
Photo by: James Patrick Anarcon
SEXUAL TENSION. In Direk Olive's interview in Tonight With Boy Abunda aired last September 5, she revealed that the "kilig" between Kathryn and Daniel is different now from their other movies and TV shows.
She told Boy Abunda, "This one it's different. Mataas ang sexual tension. They have matured, naging mama na sila at saka dalaga."
Because of this, entertainment reporters clarified what she meant by KathNiel's sexual tension.
Direk Olive then passed on the microphone to Carmi, since she said that it was the writer who first took notice of this.
Carmi revealed, "Sobra! Kasi po di ba, nakita natin sila sa ibang pelikula, yung pagpapakilig nila, cute na kilig.
"Ito iba, iba yung tinginan nilang dalawa. Iba yung kung paano tignan ni Daniel ngayon si Kathryn."
A reporter then asked her, "May malisya na?"
Carmi answered with a laugh, "Meron!"
Direk Olive then reminded the press of one scene in the trailer where Kathryn's character Mia told Daniel's Ely, "Ikaw, gusto mo lang talagang halikan kita, e."
Ely then answered, "Baka ikaw yung gustong magpa-kiss sa akin, Mia?"
After looking at Ely's eyes, Mia looked at his lips with longing.
She was then told by reporters that Direk Olive might be responsible in unleashing the sexual tension between Kathryn and Daniel.
Direk Olive simply said, "Nilabas ko lang! Inilalabas ko lang kung ano nang nandoon."