Her first starring role was a big challenge for Kylie Verzosa.
The beauty queen said her role as a nanny in “The Housemaid,” an erotic thriller from Viva Films, is so different from her own persona.
It was her director, Roman Perez, and co-stars, Albert Martinez and Jaclyn Jose, among them, who helped give Kylie the confidence to breathe life to the submissive Daisy. Kylie said her character is the type who follows what she is told without question. Daisy is in her 20s and offered a huge salary mainly to take care of Nami, daughter of William (Albert), a billionaire, and Roxanne (Louise Delos Reyes), who is pregnant with twins.
Daisy succeeds in building rapport with the young child, but also gets the unwanted attention of her boss. William begins to secretly flirt with Daisy, enticing her with glasses of wine and his piano playing, and they eventually begin a sexual relationship.
Since Daisy has become somewhat chummy with Roxanne, the latter finds nothing suspicious about her. But there is someone in the mansion that Daisy cannot fool.
Miss Martha (Jaclyn) is the mayordoma who she knows everything that is happening inside the house. Nothing escapes her keen eyes. Though she harbors resentment towards her employers, she continues to do her job well. She’s been with Roxanne since she was a child.
Apart from Miss Martha, Daisy also has to be mindful of the presence of Roxanne’s mother, Madam Ester (Alma Moreno). Although Ester has no power over her very domineering son-in-law, she is still a mother who must protect her daughter.
“The Housemaid” is an adaptation of a South Korean film that was first shown in 1960, then had a remake in 2010, originally entitled “Hanyo.” The latter won awards in different international film festivals, including Fantasporto in Portugal, Oslo Film from the South Festival, and even our very own Cinemanila International Festival. It received a nomination for the Palme d’Or, the highest prize awarded at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Director Roman said that he watched both Korean versions, carefully noting what’s similar and different about them. The local version maintains the thrilling elements of the original, but has a Filipino context and flavor.
Perez also shared, “We got all the actors we wanted for the role. We chose the actors for this project. This is a very timely film. And yes, this can also join film festivals abroad eventually.”
“The Housemaid” also stars child actress Elia Ilano who played the young Maya in “Ulan”, and Jobelyn Manuel, the original “Jowable” woman ranting on Vincentiments.
“The Housemaid” will be available on Vivamax Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Hongkong, and Japan starting September 10. It will be streamed over the entire Middle East and Europe starting September 17.
Vivamax is available at web.vivamax.net or the app on Google Play Store, App Store, and Huawei App Gallery.
