When there is violence in a marriage, you can expect conflicting narratives from the couple involved.
This is what writer/director Sigrid Bernardo tackles in “Untrue,” Viva Film’s latest psychological-drama-thriller starring Xian Lim and Cristine Reyes.
In it, Cristine and Xian play the roles of Mara and Joaquim, respectively.
As Filipino migrants working in Georgia, the two will find solace and companionship in each other, leading to a quick marriage.
When their fiery romance turns into heated arguments and physical abuse, Mara goes straight to the police.
Following her narration of how she married a mad man, Joachim defends himself with his own version of the events, pointing to his wife as the real lunatic. 
Who is telling the truth?
Cristine is really proud of the film, noting, “I think this is a first in local cinema. Correct me if I’m wrong but ako, personally, wala pa akong nakitang local movie na ganito and I’m so proud of what we have achieved here. This is the kind of project na matagal ko nang hinihintay, matagal ko nang gustong gawin. I really thank God for this.”
Xia added, “I thank our director talaga for being able to squeeze the best out of Cristine and I. Mabusisi si direk, and I think it helped kasi I really liked my performance here.”
Sigrid, on her part described “Untrue” as “an acting piece.”
“Kaya nga talagang pinga ko rin ng husto ang mga artista ko,” she said. “Like, bago, mag-shoot, meron kaming 10 days of workshops, as in kumuha pa ako ng acting coach.”
She is more than happy with Cristine and Xian’s effort.
“They were really quite professional about it all. Ginawa nila whatever I asked. They studied their lines. Xian gained 20 pounds for this. I told him to gain 20 pounds, and he did…tapos nagpabalbas siya. Si Cristine naman nagpakulay ng buhok.”
“I am very happy with their performance. They were good…I’m very satisfied,” she added.
But why, Tbilisi, Georgia?
“Kailngan sa istorya ‘yung feeling ng isolation, ‘yung parang walang nakakakakilala sa inyo. ‘Yung parang kayo lang ang nakakaalam kung sino kayo. Kailangan kasi sa kwento na konti lang ang Pinoy kaya nag-migrate (yung character) doon. ”
“Sobrang lamig,” Xian shared, relating how the temperature in the area sometime dropped to -1 degrees Celsius, making the shooting extra challenging for them. “Ang lakas ng hangin, drama pa ‘yung ginagawa namin so, ang hirap talaga.”
“I think nakatulong ‘yung location sa pag-internalize naming,” said Cristine. “’Yung lamig, ‘yung stangeness ng lugar. I think nakadagdag talaga siya sa acting namin dito.”
“Untrue” was featured at the prestigious Tokyo International Film Festival last October, along with seven other notable Filipino films.
From Viva Films, in cooperation with The IdeaFirst Company, “Untrue” opens in cinemas Feb. 19. (Neil Ramos)
