BY NEIL RAMOS
IF you are among those dying to see hunky actor Kit Thompson naked, you might consider watching “Belle Douleur,” Quantum Film’s entry to this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, which actually opens today at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
This was confirmed by Kit himself, relating in an interview he has several nude scenes in the film.
No, he made clear – these aren’t in any way gratuitous.
“It wasn’t like I did it for the heck of it. It was needed as part of the love scenes I did with Mylene Dizon who plays the role of my lover in the film,” he explained.
Of course.
Did it take so much to convince him to accept the role?
“No, I really liked the story, I like the company, tsaka the fact that I’m working with Mylene is more than enough to agree to it and wholeheartedly,” Kit intoned.
In any case, we were disappointed to learn the still very desirable Mylene herself was clothed all throughout.
“Yeah, I don’t know why,” Kit said smiling, seemingly understanding our frustration.
He was quick to counter it though, buoying our spirits somewhat describing the love scenes he and Mylene did in the film as “very hot.”
“Like if I was just watching it and all, I would say the scenes were definitely hot, very hot,” he claimed.
Mylene herself would rather downplay it all.
“The love scenes are just a small part of the film,” she maintained. “I would rather that people watch it and actually gain new insight into the so-called May December love affair.”
She added, “For most kasi, it’s taboo, particularly when it involves an older woman and a younger man. Pero ‘diba, when it’s the other way around, like if the man involved is older and the woman younger, parang, for most of society, okay lang. The question is, bakit ganun?”
Mylene plays the role of Elizabeth in “Belle Douleur,” which translates to “beautiful pain.”
Having lived most of her life busy taking care of her parents she will find herself alone and loveless in her 40s.
She will then meet Josh, a young man who has a taste for err, antiques.
The two will embark in steamy romance, fulfilling each other’s fantasies.
Will they find forever in each other?
“Actually, the title says it all,” said film director Joji Alonso. “I don’t want to pre-empt naman the film but the title speaks for itself.”
She added, “This film is a labor of love. Matagal ko nang gustong gawin ito. Gusto ko talaga i-explore kasi yung idea about a woman going on a journey to find her happiness, in the process, breaking free from the confines of societal norms.”
Isn’t she afraid people will compare it to other May December romance films from the not so distant past?
“Well, it is a given but I think we did something really beautiful here and I just hope people will give it a chance.”
