By Grace Sheela Pickert
Berlin, Germany
Filipino actress Maris Racal, who leads the cast of Sunshine, this year’s Filipino entry to the Berlinale—The Berlin International Film Festival—took the global stage on the red carpet in Berlin, Germany, showcasing not only excellent Filipino filmmaking but also her Filipino heritage.
Joining other famous and talented film stars from all over the world, Racal shared her excitement about being part of this year´s event, which gave a nod to her film entry, and at being able to join other international stars at this prestigious event.
“I was very very happy about (the film). Proud sa production and all of us here are very happy to be part of production sa Berlinale. I know na maraming mga nangangarap na mga Filipino filmmakers na maging part ng Berlinale. It is such an honor to be part of this and to showcase Filipino culture sa global stage,” Racal told Pinoy Portal Europe in an interview.
“It´s been an eye-opening experience. I saw many people there especially Tilda Swinton who had a very moving message when she received her award kaya ang saya ko that I got to experience this with so many people. I had fun and I am just happy to be here and absorb everything,” she added.
She also gushed over Scottish actor Tilda Swinton, who accepted the Honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement, for her “breathtaking” range of work that “brings so much humanity compassion, intelligence, humour and style” at the Opening Ceremony at the Berlinale Palast on Feb. 13, 2025.
“I did not meet her but I saw her from afar, it´s Tilda Swinton,” she revealed.
She also revealed that her choice of dress to wear which was styled by Adrianne Concepcion and designed by Jot Losa for the red carpet was made consciously to reflect aspects of her film and her Filipino heritage.
“I chose this dress of all the dresses he showed me kasi it´s fresh and speaks about Sunshine and meron din siyang Filipino heritage and Filipino representation such as sampaguita and it is made out of silk, so super bongga,” she happily shared to Pinoy Portal Europe (PPE).
She however admitted that the dress was not appropriate for the weather as it was too cold to wear outdoors at the red carpet ceremony.
“I was slaying outside but freezing inside. I was freezing. Yun lang masasabi ko. Pero di halata. I tried talaga (my) best, na okay lang itsura ko, but I was freezing,” she admitted.
She is also proud of her work in the film and gave her director Antoinette Jadaone credit for being able to deliver her credible performance in the production.
“She is such a fun director to work with kasi she directs but she does not control you. She would ask me what I would want to do, what Sunshine would do. She would always ask me anong gusto mong gawin dito. Meaning, when you get on the set, you have to know your character 100% to be asked that question. It has been such a fun journey to work and I can say that I learned a lot from her, Me, as an actress now, Malaki talaga ang influence ni Direk Antoinette sa akin,” she confided.
According to Racal, “Sunshine” is a coming-of-age film about a young rhythmic gymnast who dreams of being a part of national team, and hopefully Olympics, but gets challenged by unexpected life events such as pregnancy. It is also a film about empowerment, about Sunshine navigating her identity, her dreams, her life choices, and her body choices.
“This film, ang aim talaga namin, is to spread the message that women can dream, women can choose their own bodies, women can choose whatever they want, as long as it is what they want with their own bodies. So, I hope they get to watch it,” she said.
Racal also said that she is happy that the European audience has warmed up to her film and that she can´t wait “ to bring the film home to get more Filipinos to watch this fim because it holds a very special message. It is very empowering, very bold powerful message and I hope more people especially women, young women will get to watch this.”
The Berlin International Film Festival is one of the largest public film festivals in the world and entered its 75th edition this year.
click here to watch the full interview:
click here to watch the trailer of Sunshine:
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