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After the romantic-drama film Expensive Candy last 2022, Carlo Aquino and Julia Barretto are set to reunite once more in the big screen with Hold Me Close, which is Viva Films’ entry in the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival.
Hold Me Close, which is directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, who also helmed Expensive Candy, is set to premiere in local cinemas on Christmas Day, December 25. The film stars Carlo, Julia, Jairus Aquino, and Migo Valid.
The film, set in beautiful Japan, centers around the story of Woody (Carlo), who travels across the world to find the perfect place to settle in, and Lynlyn (Julia), who has a special ability to tell if a person will cause happiness or harm to her with a simple touch.
“We’re super grateful, we didn’t expect to be part of MMFF. For the board and the committee and the judges to include the film and think that it’s worthy to be part of the how many movies that’s going to be shown on December 25, we are really honored,” Julia told pikapika.ph in an exclusive interview.
“Ako, very proud kasi alam ko na pinaghirapan namin ’yong movie and, siyempre, thankful na nagustuhan nila,” Carlo then said.
For the two actors, reuniting for Hold Me Close feels just like yesterday when they were working for Expensive Candy, saying they are happy to work with each other again.
“Sana nga hindi pa ’to ’yong last na makasama ko si Juju (Julia),” Carlo hopes. “Gusto ko pa siyang makasama sa [film at] series kasi sobrang gaan katrabaho, giving, at sobrang genuine.”
For Julia, she believes she and Carlo have a good partnership when it comes to being on-screen partners for films. Not only that, she found a good support system in him while shooting for Hold Me Close.
“I think we have a good partnership and a good support system in each other kapag may ginagawa kaming project and Caloy (Carlo) is super reliable, you just know that he can and he will bring out the best in you so to more projects,” she said.
Compared to their first project, which features something sexy and romantic, Julia and Carlo believe that moviegoers will feel a lot because of their more wholesome partnership in Hold Me Close.
“Sobrang different. I mean, in all aspects—me having an ability, Carlo having such a heavy journey,” she said.
“Oo, kasi si Toto [from Expensive Candy] parang medyo reserved, ’di ba? Kasi nga virgin, positive sa love. Eto namang [si Woody] sobrang dami namang pinagdaanan na trauma, masakit. Physically kasi, galaw ng galaw si Woody, eh. Si Toto, hindi naman ganun,” Carlo explained.
“Si Woody, hindi naman siya happy. Pero ’yon ’yong pinapakita mo sa’min. Si Toto is as he is. He is who he is,” Julia added.
When asked what’s the best part about shooting in Japan, on the other hand, Julia and Carlo appreciated the calmness and serenity that it has to offer, especially since they shot in Saga, a town that is miles away from bustling Tokyo.
“Sobrang na-appreciate din namin ’yong malayo sa Tokyo na puro high-rise. Dito kasi parang mga old people,” he said. “Puro tahimik, pero the food, same. Quality.”
When asked what genre of film or series they want to do if given a chance to do a third project together, Carlo and Julia already have two ideas in mind—a series inspired by the romantic sci-fi film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet and an episode of an anthology series about love inspired by the Prime Video series Modern Love.
And now, as Hold Me Close nears theaters, Carlo and Julia believe moviegoers will have two main takeaways after watching the film.
“Na ’yong buhay, bibigyan ka ng unexpected twists and turns pero, at the end of the day, you have to endure. Kailangan mong igapang. Kahit na hirap na hirap ka na, gapangin mo. Just keep moving forward. Nasasaktan ka, move forward,” Carlo said.
“Let people in. Allow to love and be loved. And, if makakatulong ka sa journey ng isang tao then do so,” Julia said.
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