In his first big screen project this year She Who Must Not Be Named, actor Seth Fedelin plays the role of James, a boy who is bad at remembering the names of all the girls he dates. Until one fateful day, he meets a mysterious and headstrong girl who does not want to reveal her name to him (played by Francine Diaz). The film also marks the love team’s first time working with director Dan Villegas and their first time working on a rom-com.
“Nung ginawa namin ito, sobrang gaan na rom-com. Siyempre binasa namin yung script and then yung lalim ng kuwento, nakuntento kami sa lalim ng kuwento na ‘to. And nakakapagod dahil may ginagawa kami, sabay yung ginagawa namin. Pero natapos namin ito, may mga struggles, siyempre hindi mawawala yan. Hindi perfect. Pero natapos namin ng masaya. Yung mga naiwan na memories, binaon namin and this is it, ipapalabas na siya,” Seth shared during the She Who Must Not Be Named presscon held in Quezon City.
Before this movie, Seth admitted that he was not that knowledgeable about dyslexia, which is a lifelong condition characterized by a learning disability that disrupts brain processes and involves a wide spectrum of minor and major cases. In the film, Seth said his character is more on the high-functioning side.
“Yung dyslexia kasi ni James, not to the point na severe. Yung sobrang hirap sa araw-araw. Hindi ako umabot sa punto na minethod ko siya. Actually, to be honest, first time ko siya na napag-usapan o naupuan yung ganung topic. Yeah, nangyayari po siya, merong ganun na hindi natin alam sa sarili natin na 5% meron tayo nun kaya hirap tayong bumasa, hirap tayong makaalala, hirap tayong intindihin yung isang problem,” he explained.
READ: Seth Fedelin talks about overcoming his problems in acting: ‘Proud ako sa sarili ko’
The She Who Must Not Be Named star also revealed how he prepared for his role by using his natural reactions instead of relying on textbook descriptions of the condition.
“So kung paano ko siya inaral, siguro, inulit-ulit ko sa sarili ko na hindi ko kilala and paano ko binasa yung script? Talagang minsan binabasa ko siya ng isahan. So kung makalimutan ko siya o ma-rattle ako, or kung ano lumabas sa itsura ko, sa mukha ko na nalito ako, yun na yun kasi yun na lang yung ginamit ko. Hindi ako nag-method (acting), hindi ako kumausap ng merong dyslexia. Hindi ako umabot sa ganung punto,” he said.
Seth also did some research online, but said that the film will also reveal a major twist that can help explain why his character is the way he is when it comes to the girls that he dates.
“Talagang sineearch ko sa Google, sa mga online kung ano yung mga katangian ng ganun at ano yung mga features ng ganun. At the same time, si James hindi siya sobrang naapektuhan ng ganung sakit. Mas nandun sa James na hirap siyang umintindi pero pinipili niyang hindi intindihin eh. Pinipili niyang hindi pagtrabahuang intindihin yung pangalan ng babae, ng isang sitwasyon. Kaya rin naging ganun si James kasi merong isang bubog sa puso niya and makikita natin sa film yun,” he added.
She Who Must Not Be Named stars Seth Fedelin and Francine Diaz. Also part of the cast are Bobby Andrews, Ruby Ruiz, Raven Rigor, Kych Minemoto, Elijah Alejo, Kaleb Ong, Abdul Raman, Lady Martin, and Bernadette Allyson. Executive Producers are Armie Fernandez, Owen Fernandez, Wilson Tieng Directed by Christopher Novabos.
She Who Must Not Be Named is now showing in cinemas nationwide.