Filipino film game-changer Mavx Productions Inc. is out to spark a new discussion on mental health in its latest offering Unravel, an official entry to the first summer edition Metro Manila Film Festival.
The Swiss Side love story starring Gerald Anderson and Kylie Padilla focuses on the controversial practice of voluntary assisted death, which is legally condoned in other countries, particularly Switzerland, as long as the person who wishes to die is of sound mind and is able to end their life on their own.
Unravel follows Lucy (Padilla), a Filipina executive who is facing clinical depression amid reaping huge success in her field. The story unfolds as Lucy flies to Switzerland to get enlisted for voluntary assisted death. Her plans take a turn when she meets Noah (Anderson), a kababayan whose personal mission turns out to be encouraging people to choose to live.
Their journey brings out not just the beauty of Switzerland, but also the beauty of life, which Noah hopes for Lucy to see.
“When I first read the script, natakot ako,” Kylie said during the film’s press screening last week. “The subject matter is very dark. But as an actress, I stepped into Lucy’s point of view immediately.
“And in her stroy, human connections saved her life. And I think dahil nga dun sa pinagdadaanan nilang dalawa, they needed human connection,” she went on.
Kylie added that after reading the script, and despite being deeply affected by the theme and its conflict, the story somehow sparked a little hope and made her realize how important it is to communicate your problem by asking for help.
“And there’s always a second chance in life. Just give a chance for people to give you that hope. I believe that,” she said.
Meanwhile, Gerald shared that even before the script has handed to him, the story immediately made him feel so intrigued and fascinated by the subject of the film.
“Actually, even before I became part of this film, this has always been my motto, to always be nice to strangers. We don’t know their struggles. And we don’t know their problems or whatever they’re going through. May mga pinagdadaanan tayo. You saw in the film yung pinagdadaanan ni Lucy, iba din sa pinagdadaanan ni Noah, di ba? So just be nice, and respectful. Always be kind.”
Directed by RC Delos Reyes, Unravel is also one of Mavx’s three offerings marking ABS-CBN Star Magic’s 30th anniversary, alongside I Love Lizzy and Swing.
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