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Kathryn Bernardo, Olivia Lamasan team up anew for historical action drama ‘Elena 1944’ 

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by Patricia Matalog

<p>Kathryn Bernardo and esteemed director Olivia “Inang” M. Lamasan reunite for a film under Black Sheep, seven years since they last worked together in the 2016 romantic drama “Barcelona: A Love Untold”. </p><div> </div><p>This time, Kathryn will push her limits in the historical action-drama “Elena 1944”, which is a story of a comfort woman set during the Japanese occupation. It is among the movies she announced during the “New Movie Alert: Kathryn” event held on Monday, Mar. 27.  </p><div> </div><p>The period film, which will also serve as Direk Olive’s comeback movie to directing, is based on a Palanca Award-winning screenplay by Patrick Valencia. He and Enrico Santos will work hand-in-hand as the screenwriters for the film, while Vanessa Valdez will serve as creative manager. </p><div> </div><div><img alt="" src="https://asset-ent.abs-cbn.com/ent/entertainment/media/star-cinema/film news/march/29/6pm_kv.jpg"/></div><div> </div><p>According to Direk Olive, “Elena 1944” will serve as another “transition” for Kathryn, which the filmmaker first witnessed when Kathryn transitioned from teenager roles to a more mature role in “Barcelona: A Love Untold”. </p><div> </div><p>“When we did ‘Barcelona’, the challenge there was to transition Kathryn from young teenage roles to more adult roles. And seven years later, ito na naman tayo, not to transition you again, but to really push you, push your limits as an actress, to doing more edgy, more matured, and more daring roles,” Inang addressed guests and Kathryn. </p><div> </div><div><img alt="" src="https://asset-ent.abs-cbn.com/ent/entertainment/media/star-cinema/film news/march/29/02.png"/></div><div> </div><p>Admittedly, Kathryn initially felt afraid when the project was first pitched to her in 2019. She recounted: “This was pitched to me pre-pandemic. 2019 to be exact. But then noong pinitch ‘yun, sobrang ganda ng material, pero syempre nandoon ‘yung takot, marami ka pang kailangan kausapin, i-consult, kasi medyo hindi pa ako sensitive, hindi pa ako ready for these kinds of roles. But then, [the] universe made a way, na-stop muna &#x27;yung project na &#x27;yun.” </p><div> </div><p>“Fast forward, nandito tayo ngayon, I turned 27, mas ready na si DJ, mas ready na si Mama, &#x27;yung fans most especially, I think ready sila. Ako, personally, alam ko noong tinanong ako ni Inang na parang gusto ko na siya gawin kasi buo na puso ko gawin siya,” Kathryn asserted. </p><div> </div><p>While it is new for Kathryn to take on such a “daring” role, it’s something she wants to explore as a woman and as an actress. </p><div> </div><p>“’Yung [thing] nung na-mention kanina, more daring. &#x27;Yun &#x27;yung medyo bago sa kanila and it is something about nire-represent &#x27;yung pagkababae ko and I love to [do something] like that. Representing women, women empowerment,” she explained. </p><div> </div><div><img alt="" src="https://asset-ent.abs-cbn.com/ent/entertainment/media/star-cinema/film news/march/29/11.png"/></div><p>“Elena 1944” is slated for release in cinemas next year, 2024. </p><div> </div><p> Watch the FULL VIDEO of Kathyrn’s new movie alert event here: </p><div> </div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zmM2gRGucK8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div> </div><p>Make sure you follow Star Cinema’s official social media pages to stay updated on this upcoming film and more of our new film announcements!   </p><div> </div><p>RELATED STORIES: </p><div><a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/starcinema/articles-news/kathryn-bernardo-announces-her-powerful-new-movies-under-abs-cbn-films-19348">Kathryn Bernardo announces her powerful, new movies under ABS-CBN Films </a></div><div><a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/starcinema/articles-news/kathryn-bernardo-dolly-de-leon-go-head-to-head-in-a-dark-comedy-this-2023-19349">Kathryn Bernardo, Dolly de Leon go head-to-head in a dark comedy this 2023</a></div>

A “more edgy”, “more mature”, and “more daring” Kathryn takes on the role of a comfort woman 