Therese Malvar’s films ‘Gasping for Air,’ ‘Distance’ to stream on Netflix this September

Therese Malvar will be taking over Netflix this September as two of the indie films she starred in will be available for streaming on Netflix.

Carlo Obispo’s award-winning film “1-2-3 Gasping for Air” will be available for streaming on the platform in September.

In an interview with Therese, she said she was thrilled hearing that more people will be able to watch it through that platform especially since it was a film released in 2016.

“Finally we have a platform to show ‘Gasping for Air’ after so many years. Sobrang na-excite ako kasi parang ginawa nilang surprise sa amin,” she told GMA News Online in an interview.

“I was really excited. I really became excited na finally after so many years people will get to see ‘Gasping For Air’ na. It was only shown to the public noong opening ng Cinemalaya 2016,” she said.

Therese said her character in the film named Reyna was a “mini mamasan” or a pimp.

For someone who was only 14 when she portrayed the role, Therese said it was a challenge to take on the character.

“It was also challenging because comic relief si Reyna pero you’d also see the harsh reality na she accepts her fate na even though nakuha sa kanya yung childhood niya, ’yung innocence niya, in-accept na niya na ito na yung magiging buhay niya, magiging mini mamasan na siya forever,” said Therese.

The Kapuso star described her character as a complex one but she said with the help of her director and modification of imaginary scenes, she was able to play her role well.

Another film of hers that’s premiering on Netflix is “Distance.”

In 2018, Therese won Cinemalaya 2018’s best supporting actress award for her role on the film as a lesbian named Carla.

It was Therese’s second time to portray a lesbian after her debut film “Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita” when she was only 12.

Therese said the difference between these two roles was that “Distance” was heavier in drama scenes and that she had a mature kissing scene.

Therese said she’s grateful that streaming platforms such as Netflix had become an instrument for films such as “Distance” and “Gasping For Air” to reach a wider audience.

“Usually we do it in the big screens, in the cinemas, minsan napu-pull out siya, minsan konti lang makakapanood, busy sila or they don’t want to or they are scared to experiment their likes in films. So that’s why minsan konti lang nanunuod or kung meron man either one day or one week lang ipapalabas and then ipu-pull out,” explained Therese.

Therese said streaming gave their films another opportunity to be showcased.

“Na mas maipakita pa sa mas maraming tao and in a way it would also help others to indulge in more films rather than the one they usually see in mainstream and mas nakikilala na mga filmmakers and mas nakikita yung shine or yung spark ng film na ’yun,” she said.

The actress recalled that “Gasping For Air” was well-received by the viewers during Cinemalaya 2016.

“Sobrang sikip ng lobby sa Cinemalaya kasi sobrang dinumog kami and nagpapa-picture sila, wow nagustuhan nila ’yung film. At least right now after so many years, ipapalabas na siya sa Netflix which became a platform for us to show it, so that’s why we’re really happy,” she said.

She said she didn’t have any expectations, buts she’s excited to have more people watch the films.

“Hopefully, makikita ng maraming tao and magugustuhan din and I’m not really expecting for number one kasi maybe sa ibang tao they are not used to films like this because they are used to films na ‘hugot,’ ganoon, but I hope others would give it a try and see a different taste of films in the Philippines,” she said.

“Gasping for Air” will be available on Netflix starting Sept. 3, while “Distance” will also premiere on the platform Sept. 17.

“Gasping for Air” won several awards at the North Virginia International Film and Music Festival. Obispo won best director, Carlos Dala bagged the best actor award, while Carlo Mendoza and Thop Nazareno bagged the best cinematography and best editing awards, respectively. – RC, GMA News