Arzen Rose Dulzura

UK-based singer Qymira on shooting a movie in Manila: ‘It’s beautiful and chaotic and cinematic!’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>After flying to the country to promote her feature film debut <em>Shadow Transit </em>under QCinema this month, UK-based singer and songwriter Qymira (Leslie Loh in real life), shared how it felt to be part of director Pedring Lopez’s latest project.</p><p>“It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a film: raw, human, wildly artistic, and unflinchingly brutal. It’s a story of survival that hits you in the gut and stays in your heart. Getting the chance to bring this to life is more than a dream, it’s an absolute honor,”  she shared with the press earlier this month. </p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-17" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRSi9zDEvYE/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A17%2C%22os%22%3A1804222.800000012%2C%22ls%22%3A67032.40000000596%2C%22le%22%3A67255.60000002384%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="744" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-17" 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><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-15" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRHrOlVDy2A/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A15%2C%22os%22%3A1784097.400000006%2C%22ls%22%3A67032.40000000596%2C%22le%22%3A67255.60000002384%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="719" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-15" 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><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2021/3/6/fresh-scoops/director-pedring-lopezs-asian-set-action-film-wil-192114"><strong><u>READ: Director Pedring Lopez’s Asian-set action film will star Cecep Arif Rahman and Yayan Ruhian</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Also part of the cast of<em> Shadow Transit </em>is KC Montero as the crime syndicate lord and US-based, Indonesian-born actor Yoshi Sudarso (whose filmography includes films like <em>Bullet Train, The Paper Tigers</em>, and <em>Buffalo Boys</em>). </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-13" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRQXVvhk64G/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A13%2C%22os%22%3A1740668%2C%22ls%22%3A67032.40000000596%2C%22le%22%3A67255.60000002384%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-13" 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><p>In the film, Qymira plays the role of Celeste—a UK-born photojournalist and singer-songwriter based in Hong Kong who meets a rebellious Indonesian-American DJ named Kai living on the edge. What begins as a night of music and shared wanderlust turns violent when Kai’s criminal past resurfaces through Raul Vergara, a ruthless Manila crime boss, and his volatile nephew Sarin. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-11" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJByKY1TnHD/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A11%2C%22os%22%3A1722005.2000000179%2C%22ls%22%3A67032.40000000596%2C%22le%22%3A67255.60000002384%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-11" 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><p>Shot in locations like the streets of Poblacion in Makati and the old Clark airport in Pampanga,<em> Shadow Transit</em> was also filmed during a typhoon and shot in a period of three weeks. Qymira had to undergo training under Hollywood stunt director Sonny Sison and performed most of her own stunts.</p><p>The film’s lead actress, having visited the Philippines already in the past, shareD why she admires the beauty in this city. “There’s something about Manila. Even if you come in lost or unsure, the city surrounds you with this wild energy. You’re in this happy chaos kind of surrounding and vibe, but you find focus. You’re pushed out of your comfort zone, but you somehow feel held. You leave with more than what you came with. You carry it, in your gut, and yes, in your heart,” she shared.</p><p>As a singer, Qymira is also the voice behind the film’s theme song, “Shade of My Shadow.” Prior to coming to the Philippines, she also finished a UK-Ireland tour alongside Boyzlife. Her hit singles include “Labyrinth of Life,” which peaked at No. 3 on the UK Dance Chart and she also sings tracks in Portuguese, which have topped Brazil’s Bahia radio charts at No. 1 ahead of her performance at the Salvador Carnival.<em></em></p><p><em>Shadow Transit </em>will hold its world premiere via two screenings, November 22, Gateway 16, 7:55 p/m. (Gala Night with Talk Back), and November 23, Gateway 18, 6 p.m. under QCinema.</p>

<p>'Shadow Transi't star Qymira shares her experience doing her feature film debut and working with award-winning Filipino director Pedring Lopez.</p>

'Shadow Transi't star Qymira shares her experience doing her feature film debut and working with award-winning Filipino director Pedring Lopez.