Veteran actress Carmi Martin is taking on a new kind of role — playing a lola for the first time. But don’t expect the usual granny stereotype. In “Isang Komedya sa Langit,” she’s a quirky, fashion-forward, ukay-wearing grandmother with plenty of sass.
Still vibrant and glamorous, Carmi stars in the satire produced and written by Rossana Hwang of Kapitana Productions and directed by Roi Calilong. The film, based on Hwang’s book, “The Lost Saints,” imagines three priests from 1872 transported to 2024, convinced they’ve landed in heaven. The result is a hilarious romp that blends historical fiction, time travel and a call to rediscover traditional values.
Joining Carmi are Jaime Fabregas, Gene Padilla and Edgar Allan Guzman as the time-traveling priests. The cast also includes Jon Medina, Aki Blanco, and over 100 ensemble performers.
At the movie’s press con at Alex III in Quezon City on Wednesday, Carmi revealed she didn’t hesitate to sign on because she found the script delightful upon first reading. The actress also resonated with the film’s message and how it ecourages the young to reconnect with values.
Working with young stars, she said that there is a noticeable disconnect among actors and a lack of interaction on set.
“Sa set, walang nag-uusap-usap. Pagka for example, after ng take, kanya-kanya ng cellphones ‘yan. Kaya ako mismo ang bumabangka,” she added.
“Kasi nabu-bore na rin ako. Bumabangka ako. Kinakausap ko sila. ‘Yun ang nawala. Puro cellphone na lang. It’s either I would like to ask to do a deep talk, wala yung getting to know each other,” she related.
“Sana maging kusa sa mga actors, most especially the young generation, medyo kilalanin naman nila ang mga artista at makipag-usap. Nuon naalala ko na hindi ba ala naman cellphone, soc med, nag-uusap naman mga tao. ‘Yun ang nami-miss ko sa set.”
She said she believes that rapport is essential for good acting.
“Part of the workshop talaga is kilalanin mo ‘yung co-actor mo. Kasi nakakatulong ‘yun. Ako, I’m very generous with that. Kapag may crying scene pa nga sinasabi ko, gusto mo tulong, ako magaling ako magpaiyak… Alam mo eksena mo to, this is your moment. Ako, I’m very generous with that. At ang isang sikreto dun, kapag hindi ka kumportable sa co-actor mo, kasi hindi kayo nag-uusap, nenerbyusin ka. ‘Yung rapport na sinasabi. Kaya dapat talaga, kahit hindi crying scene ang hinihingi, dapat nag-uusap usap.
“Du’n nga sa libro na binasa ko sa acting workshop, even ‘yung set, hindi bigla uupo ka na lang dun. Nanamnamin mo..minsan may mga nuances na tumitingin ka kasi naaalala mo nakaupo ‘yung lola mo dun.”
For Carmi, this commitment to craft explains her longevity in the business.
“Siguro that’s the reason why nandito pa rin ako — how much I value at binibigyan ng respeto ang trabaho ko,” she said.
Her performance hasn’t gone unnoticed. According to Hwang, economist and media personality Winnie Monsod saw the film and praised the actress: “Ang ganda ng performance ni Carmi.”
The filmmakers hope “Isang Komedya sa Langit” will bring audiences back to theaters.
Carmi herself was drawn to the script’s blend of history and hilarity.
“Katulad ko napukaw akong gawin ang pelikula, because I find it ‘half-half.’ May historical values pagkatapos ‘yung akala nila napunta sila heaven, nag time travel which dun ako natawa nung nabasa ang script.
“’Yung 3 priest na galing sa nakaraan, learning how to cook, so many things na modern times…. Ako when I read the script natawa ako dun. It’s a light movie, it has historical and time travel.”
Director Roi Calilong sees the same appeal, saying the film’s outrageous premise is a big part of the charm. “Yung use of time travel, at ‘yung mga kalokohan ng mga pari…”
“Isang Komedya sa Langit” opens in select SM cinemas starting May 28.
