Actor and now also a producer, Enrique Gil is enjoying wearing the producer’s hat, having more power to decide on the projects he’s doing. After producing his first film, the riot comedy ‘I Am Not Big Bird,’ Enrique is thirsty for more projects both as an actor and a producer. That’s why when approached about doing the Philippine adaptation of the hit Korean found-footage horror movie, ‘Gonjiam Asylum,’ Enrique did not hesitate on accepting it.
We sat down with Enrique at the pocket media conference of their upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival entry, ‘Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital.’
Of all the places, including haunted hospitals and places in the Philippines, why Xinglin Hospital in Taiwan?
“I think it’s interesting para maiba naman. I’ve never been to Taiwan and we’ve been searching tha most haunted places and, nakakatakot kasi ang hospital din, eh. I mean, ‘yung hospitals nakakatakot as it is, diba? But you have a haunted hospital in Taiwan, I think it just made sense to go there. ‘Yung iba naman kasi hindi hospitals eh, they’re just old na sira na. Eto kasi nakatayo pa, ang daming haunted places na minsan wala na, walang masyadong story sa loob. Itong hospital kasi, pati mga gamit nandun pa sa loob, eh. You can see ‘yung mga utensils, iniwan lahat. May mga cup noodles pa from so long ago na nandun pa sa kitchen, may mga gamot pa na nandon na expired na for how many years. It’s crazy! So, it just made sense sabi ko, wala ka na masyadong ibang gagawin na pagse-setup sa loob to make it look creepy kasi everything’s there. So it just made sense to shoot inside na halos kumpleto na.”
How was the process of getting permits and shooting in Xinglin Hospital?
“They were super cooperative with us and super helpful and supportive. Umabot na every day, nagpapa-ritual sila, blessings and prayers. Nagi-incense, the rituals, every day ‘yan before the shoot. We respect that and we’re thankful na ginawa namin lahat.”
Enrique’s last MMFF movie was in 2012, The Strangers with Julia Montes and Enchong Dee. Was it deliberate?
“Kasi kapag December, hindi talaga ako pumapayag mag-MMFF kasi usually nasa ibang bansa, nagba-bakasyon. This time, sabi ko with this project, with this concept, I cannot not do it. Hahabol na lang ako sa family ko.”
How does he feel being back in the MMFF?
“Masaya. Excited ako sa float. It’s good to experience it again. Tsaka parang matagal na akong hindi nagki-Christmas dito sa Manila. Excited ako.”
Erique on his preparation for ‘Strange Frequencies’
“Pag nandun ka na kasi sa loob na ‘yun tapos kayo lang kasi lahat ng crew namin nasa labas ng hospital. So, once na i-lock nila, kami lang nasa loob. Matatakot ka talaga. Kung minsan mawalan ka ng battery ng flashlight, wala ka nang makikita. Pati mga paniki, konting tunog lang hindi mo alam, siyempre magfi-freak out ka na. Parang lahat kasi times ten kapag nandun ka sa environment na ganun. Di ko ma-explain pero nakakatakot. Pag natatakot ako, nagfi-freeze lang ako eh. ‘Yung iba kasi sumisigaw o tumatakbo, diba? Ako hindi ko kaya eh.”
Aside from getting the audiences scared, what are the take aways from watching Strange Frequencies?
“The consequences of pushing the boundaries. People just vlog and sometimes they put themselves at risk and they don’t realize it. Parang ganun. Parang sige, sa paghahanap mo ng views, you might hurt yourself in the process. It’s a big eye opener for those people.”
Were there times while shooting, that they captured real supernatural or creepy moments?
“Yes, marami which I think made it even better. Like ‘yung mga table na biglang nahuhulog ang ganda ng gulat nila kasi hindi expected, bigla na lang bumagsak, lahat ng gamit bigla na lang nahulog. Parang first or second night pa lang namin, feeling namin baka parang naiistorbo na namin ‘yung mga spirits dun. Marami talaga like mga camera na hindi gumagana, ‘yung ilaw biglang nagfi-flicker, ang daming nangyari na unexpected. Minsan mga doors biglang nagbu-bukas, wala namang hangin.”
Produced by renowned director and “Master of Horror” Erik Matti with veteran filmmaker Dondon Monteverde and in partnership with actor Enrique Gil, ‘Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital’ will feature a brazen group of young actors from the Philippines as they set out to explore and film in one of Taiwan’s most haunted places, Xinglin Hospital.
The Korean version titled ‘Gonjiam Asylum,’ was a 2018 found footage supernatural horror film directed by Jung Bum-shik. Based on an actual psychiatric hospital located in Gwangju-si, it starred actors Wi Ha-joon (Squid Game), Park Ji-hyun (The Divine Fury), Oh Ah-yeon (Mr. Sunshine), Moon Ye-won (Legal High), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory, Queen of Tears), Yoo Je-yoon (Extreme Job), and Lee Seung-wook (Joseon Fist) in the title roles.
“Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum” was a commercial hit in its native South Korea attracting more than 2.6 million viewers and U$21 million in box office takings, becoming the second biggest gross for a Korean horror film in 2018.
The project was brought to Reality MM Studios by Creative Leaders Group 8 CEO BJ Song (Taxi Driver, Boys Over Flowers, Princess Hours).
In the Philippine adaptation, film and television actor Enrique Gil (My Ex and Whys, Seven Sundays) will lead the group of real-life personalities including actress Jane De Leon (Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme), Alexa Miro and Rob Gomez (A Girl and a Guy), beauty queen MJ Lastimosa (Day Zero) with tarot reader Raf Pineda and content creator Ryan “Zarckaroo” Azurin.
Zarckaroo is a local video creator known for filming actual footage in some of the region’s most haunted places and offbeat places. His YouTube account is followed by some 1.6 million subscribers while his Facebook page has 1.9 million followers.
Following the format of the Korean original, the group of Filipino amateur ghosthunters will explore the notorious Xinglin Hospital, an abandoned building located in Taiwan’s West Central District. The beleaguered asylum is considered by locals as one of the most haunted places in Taiwan due to its recurring paranormal activities.
Dubbed as the Philippines’ very first meta found footage horror film, audiences and critics-alike are already looking forward to this reimagined style of filming technique.
The film was recently announced as Reality MM Studios’ official entry to the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival. The film opens December 25 in the Philippines.
It also recently captured the attention of Hollywood publication Variety.
“Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital” is from the production duo of Matti and Monteverde known for hits such as On the Job (2013), Honor Thy Father (2015), Seklusyon (2016), BuyBust (2018), and Kuwaresma (2019).
Watch the teaser trailer below:
Watch our full interview with Enrique Gil, and our video coverage of the pocket media conference with Gil, Alexa Miro and Rob Gomez: