Veering away from the stereotypical portrayal of lesbian women, the lead characters played by Mylene Dizon and Andrea del Rosario sport flowing hair and have ultra-feminine wardrobe—a far cry from the “butch” look usually associated with lesbians.
Directed by Connie Macatuno, the 2006 Cinema One Originals entry Rome and Juliet is an updated version of William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Romeo and Juliet.
This three-hour digital film follows the journey of self-discovery between two women and the resulting consequences of their actions. Rome (Mylene) is a florist and wedding planner who is tasked to prepare the nuptial of Juliet Flores (Andrea) and councilor Marc Villaluna (Rafael Rosell).
While preparing for the wedding, the lead female characters develop a deep friendship and a soulful connection leading to a love that is physically consummated.
After the premiere of Rome and Juliet last November 24 at Robinsons Galleria, Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) asked Andrea how she managed to complete her love scene with Mylene. The former member of the Viva Hot Babes said, “We just tried to bond, me and Mylene. Then I pretended like I’m kissing another man.”
Mylene admitted to PEP that she herself employed a similar technique while doing the love scene (and shower scene!) with Andrea. “Whenever I would look at Andrea, kailangan tingin ko sa kanya [isang] lalaki. Nag-i-imagine ako kung sino yung crush ko…sino yung type ko at the moment…ini-imagine ko si Andrea yun.”
“That’s the only way for me to do what I did,” said Mylene, who was named Best Actress during the awarding ceremony of the Cinema One Originals film fest at Teatrino in Greenhills last November 26.
Rome and Juliet was one of the seven digital films in competition for the 2006 Cinema One Originals, a contest sponsored by the cable channel after which it is named. Now on its second year, the film festival had its run last November 24-26 at the Indie Sine (Cinema 8) of Robinsons Galleria.