MANILA - The eight months it took to finally finish "Sin Island" were not all spent on pre-production or filming; there were breaks in between where the project's fate even became uncertain, according to director Gino Santos.

"I thought it was going to get shelved," Santos told ABS-CBN News on the sidelines of a press conference ahead of the film's Valentine's Day release.

The filmmaker explained: "It was a stop and go, also with our schedules and the story being developed. Some people would say it's too risque, and some would say it's the perfect opportunity."

Penned by Jancy Nicolas, "Sin Island" centers on David (Xian Lim) and Kanika (Coleen Garcia), a married couple whose separation leads the husband to a steamy island affair with Tasha (Nathalie Hart). Realizing she still wants to repair her marriage, Kanika puts up a fight with the headstrong Tasha.

At least, that's what the trailer lets on, teased Santos.

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"At first, it was very tame, and then along the way I'd make it more edgy and more daring. My vision for the film was a little bit different from all the kabit films," he said.

As production progressed, so too did the story and look toward a different direction, which ultimately proved problematic. "That's what stopped a bit the production. Buti na lang natuloy siya," Santos said, without giving further details.

It was veteran director Olivia Lamasan, newly appointed managing director of Star Cinema, who saw potential in the material and pushed for production to resume, according to Santos.

"Actually, I'm so happy with the end product. Sometimes I would think to myself, gumagawa ba ako ng Star Cinema film? Kasi it's so different," Santos said, referring to the ABS-CBN film arm being known for its family dramas and romantic comedies.

With its R-16 rating, "Sin Island" bears closest resemblance to the Rosanna Roces-starrer "Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin," in terms of being a Star Cinema production with adult and sexual themes. That movie, released in 1997, was the immediate comparison drawn by the producers, according to Santos. Noting two decades has passed since, the young director said, "This is a perfect opportunity, perfect time to be liberated and edgy."

Being "edgy" doesn't only lie in the revealing, intimate scenes of "Sin Island," Santos pointed out. The cast, in fact, echoed their director in saying the film is not at all what it appears to be based on the trailer.

"It doesn't just give sex, it gives also the thriller aspect, the roller coaster ride. Ang daming mangyayari sa pelikulang 'to," Santos said. "When you're watching it, you're at the edge of your seat, no joke. Perfect siya for dates, because for sure, magkakalabitan 'yung magkakatabi, at maghahawak ng mga kamay, kasi hindi mo alam kung natatakot sila, nag-e-enjoy sila, na-in love ba sila, nalilibugan sila. All emotions are in this film."

Going by early reactions to "Sin Island," its director was not overselling. Several tweeted they were "shookt" by a certain twist, and felt tense watching a number of scenes. Some applauded the unpredictability of the story and performances of the lead stars, while others said there were lessons learned at the end of the film.

In the press conference, the cast and creative minds were cautious not to spoil the twist now being talked about online. They were forthcoming, however, about what "Sin Island" ultimately hopes to impart with moviegoers.

Quoting a tagline shown in the trailer, screenwriter Nicolas said a primary message of "Sin Island" is this: "The greatest sin in love is to not fight for it."

"It really talks about redeeming love and redeeming a marriage and fighting for it. More than 'yung edge niya, more than 'yung darkness niya, fundamentally it's a story of a marriage. Doon, definitely, pasok siya sa values na mayroon ang Star Cinema as a company," he said.