Maui Taylor Opposite The Al Pacino Of Korea In A Movie That Will Compete In The Cannes Filmfest

MAUI TAYLOR is praying she’d be part of the entourage that will represent the movie she did in Korea, “The Taste of Money”, when it’s shown next week at the Cannes Filmfest. “They’re still deliberating daw kung sinu-sino ang mga isasama,” she says. “But nagpapagawa na rin ako ng gown ko, just in case. On May 15, I’m going to Seoul for the premiere of our movie there.”

What’s the film all about? “It’s a suspense drama about love and lust, politics, power and murder. It’s directed by Im Sang Soo, one of the most respected directors in Korea. The lead actor is Baek Yoon Sik, the Al Pacino of Korea. I play one of the lead roles. Mr. Baek is my boss. He hires me, Eva, as the nanny of his granddaughter. We have a sexy love scene. But my crush is Kim Gang Woo, who plays the assistant of my boss. Kaya lang, he’s married na.”

Did she audition for the role? “No, I was recommended by Viva, along with other actresses. It narrowed down to two na lang (the other one is Katrina Halili), but after watching me in Joel Lamangan’s ‘Huling Birhen sa Lupa’, they decided it’s me, wag na humanap ng iba. The director, producer and cinematographer came over to Manila to talk to me personally. Siempre, tinanggap ko agad kasi tiempong that time, I just split with my boyfriend and I’m nursing a broken heart. They gave me VIP treatment in Seoul. I was staying alone in a 3-bedroom apartment. Nakakatakot, lalo ng may nagba-buzz ng door pero walang tao. The film took four months to shoot. In and out ako sa Korea. Mabagal kasi sila. Kung minsan, yung director, biglang maiisipang baguhin ang buong set, so we have to wait muna. Three sequences a day lang, tapos we shoot for only ten hours, no overtime. They’re very easy to work with, kaya lang, may language barrier as not all of them speak English. So binigyan nila ako ng P.A. na nagi-Inggles. Tapos, may dialogue coach din ako kasi some of my lines are in Korean. Paulit-ulit ang take hanggang ma-perfect ko ang delivery ko. I’m very honored and proud to be part of this Korean film and I hope ma-recognize ito sa Cannes.”

So what’s in store for her here in Manila? “Boss Vic said kami nina Katya Santos and Andrea del Rosario will have a project sa TV5 soon and I’m looking forward to that.” Has she heard that Andrea and Gwen have a feud? “Yes, we tried na mag-usap sila pero mainit pa yung isa so di naman puedeng pilitin.”