Nanahimik ang Gabi (A Silent Night) is one of the most gripping film entries to the 48th edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival. The erotic suspense thriller features Ian Veneracion, Heaven Peralejo, and Mon Confiado portraying intriguing roles that are not often discussed in mainstream media. It is directed by Shugo Praico under Rein Entertainment.
Veneracion plays Chief, a corrupt and abusive police officer who plays the role of “sugar daddy” in his relationship with Me-Ann (Peralejo).
Peralejo was offered the role three to four times. She initially hesitated to accept the role due to feeling unready to fulfill some scenes for the film.
She described Me-Ann as being different than herself, an independent woman who is a provider for her family.
“Me-Ann on the other hand is happily willing to rely on Chief despite his abusive behavior since she ultimately benefits from their relationship,” the director said of the female lead character.
Confiado is the antagonist of the film. He devised method acting in preparation for his role of a character capable of killing. He isolated himself in the mountains for four days for his role since the film is set in a secluded house.
Director Praico described the casting for Confiado’s role as “tricky” with around 15 actors considered to portray the character.
“The casting in general was very tricky, so when they agreed to do the film, everything kind of fell into their proper places. Casting was very important for us to realize the vision of the film,” Praico told Manila Standard Entertainment in a recent interview.
“The idea of the film was conceived during the height of the pandemic—the sentiments, prevailing anxieties, and emotions during that time. It made us come up with an exciting and thrilling plot,” said the director of the inspiration behind the film’s controversial subject.
As a writer, Pracio makes it a point that the films or any projects that he would embark on will discuss subjects not often given much attention in mainstream media.
“The script must always have something to say…social commentary. It helps that from the very start it’s clear what you wanted to say. The film talks about the story of two people – one sugar daddy, and one sugar baby. They spend what is supposed to be a passionate night which turns into a crazy moment. This happens because there are secrets that will be revealed throughout the night,” the director said.
“In every aspect of life, laging lumulutang ang katotohanan. That’s our intention, our objective is to tell the audience that the truth will always come out,” he added.
Nanahimik Ang Gabi is produced by Rein Entertainment, co-founded by Lino Cayetano, Philip King, and Praico, the makers of Bagman series for iWant and BetCin for WeTV, among others.
“We made a lot of compromises making this film. If you’re asking me if we wanted this to make money or if we just wanted the audience to really see the film and understand the story, we hope to do both. But our guiding principle making the film wasn’t the box office, mas ginusto namin na maikuwento ng maayos ang pelikula,” Cayetano pointed out.
“The theme is very risque but it also talks about morality. It discusses sexuality but the entire story is deeper than that because it questions our decisions. The film believes that in life walang purong santo, o purong demonyo,” Cayetano concluded.
