Director Petersen Vargas on Joshlia’s reunion project: “There’s this really beautiful energy!”

Rhea Manila Santos

<p>As the director of Star Cinema’s exciting new film offering this year “Un/happy For You,” director Petersen Vargas admitted he is excited for fans to see the return of Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto’s pairing onscreen starting August 14. </p><p>“Tina-track namin dito sa movie kung paano magmahal ‘yung generation ngayon. Gusto rin natin ipakita kung paano sila masaktan,” he shared during the grand presscon for the film held earlier this month. “I think we Filipinos like to mirror that in the cinematic experience. Nagbuo lang kami ng pelikula na ang real nung sakit. I think it feels so fresh and current.”</p><p>He further explained how Joshua nad Julia approached their scenes.</p><p>“I watched their films. Masaya sila panuorin, pero alam mong if you go to that real and painful dramatic route, ma-pu-push pa natin sila. I was really excited to push that dramatic journey with them,” he shared. “Sometimes I give them space because they seem to have this very intimate personal way of making their scenes. They were so generous for sharing themselves.”</p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9Pl79Uy1jv/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A480701.5%2C%22ls%22%3A12927.899999856949%2C%22le%22%3A12937.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="622" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/7/17/joshua-garcia-julia-barretto-finish-filming-un-happy-for-you-1359" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>READ: Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto finish filming ‘Un/happy For You’</u></strong></a></div><p>In the movie’s trailer, a cook named Juancho (played by Joshua Garcia) plots to get even with his ex-girlfriend Zy (Julia Barretto) who is already engaged to be married. </p><p>The film was shot in the province of Bicol. Direk Petersen shared that the setting added another layer to the theme of the movie. </p><p>“Hindi naman ako Bicolano, but it was actually an idea that I worked with our writers. Kasi part of the journey is medyo mapangahas at may nakakatakam na element ‘yung reunion ng exes sa story,” he explained. “And we felt na Naga is a city that is filled with a lot of spiciness, so we wanted them to also embrace that flame. Meron din siyang flavor na ganoon.”</p><div><iframe width="695" height="391" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bFC9sSIk_cc" title="Un/Happy For You Official Trailer | Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto, Petersen Vargas| Un/Happy For You" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9PrgaqSmhR/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A420172.7000000477%2C%22ls%22%3A12927.899999856949%2C%22le%22%3A12937.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2020/7/2/fresh-scoops/bl-series-director-petersen-vargas-hopes-hello-st-27558" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>READ: BL series director Petersen Vargas hopes ‘Hello Stranger’ gives viewers ‘konting ligaya at konting pag-ibig’</u></strong></a></div><p>Throughout their shooting out of town, Direk Petersen shared that he did not have a problem with his cast, especially his two lead stars. </p><p>“It was really a fun set. I think they were all very generous with each other and I think kasi lini-lead nila Josh and Julia yun,” he said. “I think yung generosity comes from how everyone sees them together.”</p><p>“I think there’s this really beautiful energy, this aura, when they’re together,” he added. “And there’s magic, I also believe.”</p><div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/7/15/joshua-garcia-julia-barretto-talk-about-un-happy-for-you-push-tv-1149" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>WATCH: Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto talk about &#x27;Un/Happy for You&#x27; | PUSH TV</u></strong></a></div><p>At the helm of a film that talks about how to move on and heal from the end of a relationship, direk Petersen admitted that personally, he is open to the possibility of reuniting with someone from his past, just like what the characters go through in the film. </p><p>“Masaya yun. Kasi masaya yung magulo ‘yung buhay mo from time to time. At saka inspiration ‘yun,” he admitted.</p><p><em>Un/Happy For You</em> stars Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto. Other members of the cast also include Kaila Estrada, Aljon Mendoza, Ketchup Eusebio, John Lapus, Nonie Buencamino, Ana Abad Santos, Meann Espinosa, Victor Silayan, Bianca De Vera, and Bong Gonzales. Directed by Petersen Vargas and written by Kookai Labayen, Crystal San Miguel, and Jen Chuaunsu <em>Un/happy for You</em> is the reunion film of Joshua and Julia after five years. </p><p>Watch it exclusively in cinemas nationwide starting August 14, Wednesday.</p>

<p>Un/Happy For You director Petersen Vargas talks about working with Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto for their reunion project..</p>

Un/Happy For You director Petersen Vargas talks about working with Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto for their reunion project..

Director Petersen Vargas on Joshlia’s reunion project: “There’s this really beautiful energy!” | ABS-CBN

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Director Petersen Vargas on Joshlia’s reunion project: “There’s this really beautiful energy!”

Director Petersen Vargas on Joshlia’s reunion project: “There’s this really beautiful energy!”

Rhea Manila Santos

Published Jul 28, 2024 11:22 AM PHT

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Petersen Vargas

Star Cinema

Unhappy For You

Joshlia

Julia Barretto

Joshua Garcia

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