Why stars love working with Direk Joey
VETERAN and award-winning director Joey Reyes wrote the screenplay and megged the soon-to-premiere sexy-romantic film on Vivamax, ‘Karinyo Brutal.’
“I love the title,” said Direk Joey. “Madalas sabihin sa akin ‘yan, magaling daw ako sa Karinyo Brutal. Sasabihin ko ang title at words na ‘yan but in a different context.”
Interestingly, ‘Karinyo Brutal,’ according to Direk Joey, are choices that couples have to make in their respective relationships.
“I know a lot of people who are in a very sad relationships or even very violent ones,” said the director. “But they don’t have an option but to stay in the relationship for various reasons.
“Whether or not it is financial or being emotionally dependent, I wanted to explore that kind of mindset. Why a girl will agree to be in that kind of relationship. I wanted a more complex story and that was what inspired me to do Karinyo Brutal for Vivamax.”
There was a movie of long ago – Rosanna Roces in Romy Suzara’s Cariño Brutal (1998).
“You can never tell sino ang nanggagamit at sino ang gumagamit,” said Direk Joey. “So I really wanted to do a film like that to create a twist and find out who is the bad one because of love.”
Direk Joey particularly handpicked his stars for ‘Karinyo Brutal.’ Sexy actress Apple Dy was a leading lady whom Direk Joey particular chose. He first worked with her in the sex comedy, ‘Patikim-Tikim’ (2023).
Then, the director wanted a leading man who is completely new. Armani Hector was earlier seen in ‘High On Sex, 2’ and was recommended to Direk Joey by Angelica Hart.
“I connected with him through IG,” said Direk Joey. “He came out previously as support. He was not yet doing lead roles. When I promoted Karinyo Brutal with Viva, I asked if I could get Armani Hector because he was in the stable of talents of the company. Talagang pwede siya.”
In his first scene in ‘Karinyo Brutal,’ Armani looked ill-at-ease in front of the camera. “Sa mata ko pa lang, alam na agad na nape-pressure ako. So direk approached me and talked to me. May sinabi siya sa akin na nakaka-gaan ng loob. He told me, ‘Be yourself and act normal.’ Sobrang the best to work with him.”
Benz Sangalang was directed by Direk Joey in Secrets, Benz’s first film. He essays a bad boy role, Edmund, who gives karinyo brutal to Apple Dy.
Maybelle Medina was previously known as “Manang” in her early Vivamax film projects. “Si Direk, hate niya na tinatawag akong Manang,” Maybelle said. “That’s why when he saw my real name, pinalitan niya ang Manang and used Maybelle.”
Her role in Karinyo Brutal is Lilibeth, the girlfriend of Ghion Layug. While the latter is the bad boy who plays the boyfriend of Lilibeth.
Aries Go plays Emman, a mysterious guy who is the brother of Cristine (Apple Dy).
When Apple first learned about her new project with Direk Joey, she was really thrilled to be working again with him. “Napasigaw ako nu’ng malaman ko that I will work again with Direk Joey,” recalled Apple. “Siya ‘yung first movie ko na napalabas last year.
“Sobrang gaan na maka-work ulit si Direk Joey. I first worked in the series, Pantaxia, then the next is High On Sex 2 na series din. Then I did ‘Punit na Langit’ na nauna lang ipalabas, but Karinyo Brutal came ahead pero nahuli lang ipalabas.
“Natatakot ako kay Direk Joey na magalit siya. Ninerbiyos ako at kinakabahan the first time I worked with him. Now, the second time around, mas kalmado na ako working with Direk Joey.”
