As part of the Metro Manila Film Festival entry The Missing which was shot mostly in Saga, Japan, Ritz Azul said she had some hesitation accepting the lead role when it was first offered to her last year.

“Nung nabasa ko yung script, unang una, hindi pa kasi ako gumagawa ng horror. Medyo nag-doubt ako sa sarili ko kung kakayanin ko ba yung horror na ito. At hindi ako matatakutin. So paano kaya? Pero go kasi Japan (laughs). So gusto kong ma-try kasi horror na lang yung hindi ko pa nagagawa. Gusto ko ma-try and tingnan kung kaya ko ba talaga yung horror at nung nakapag-Japan na naman kami, sobrang saya. So ganun kami ka-close kaya sobrang saya namin,” she shared.

In the Regal Entertainment project in cooperation with Japan’s Saga Film Commission, Ritz stars opposite Joseph Marco who plays her ex-boyfriend. “Ako si Iris Valerio dito, isang architect na may pinagdadaanan, may PTSD and I’m sure madaming makaka-relate diyan sa character na ito. Si Job (played by Joseph) and si Iris may connection since college pa sila. Merong past yung characters ni Iris at si Job and nung nakapag-Saga na si Job, tinawagan niya si Iris para mag-restore ng napakatandang bahay sa Japan,” she explained.

WATCH: Official trailer of MMFF entry ‘The Missing’

Ritz said their MMFF entry is unlike typical Pinoy horror films of the past which feature scary creatures. “Kasi itong movie na ito hindi lang siya physical na horror na yung may mga multo, ganyan. May horror din sa tao. Na-ta-touch din kasi yung anxiety, so perfect siya sa panahon ngayon. I’m sure makaka-relate ang karamihan din, lalo na kasi di ba pandemic maraming nakaka-experience ng anxiety ngayon. I think hindi lang talaga siya yung puro multo. Pinaghirapan din namin yung mga characters namin dito,” she said.

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The scariest scene for Ritz was shot outdoors in freezing weather. “Yung ghost yung natakot ako kasi merong isang eksena na nakatali ako tapos sobra sobrang lamig dun sa Japan kasi, madaling araw na yata yun. Natakot ako baka magkaroon ako ng hypothermia. Sa sobrang lamig kasi at ang nipis pa ng costume ko, feeling ko mahihimatay ako. Tapos merong isang eksena din kami sa basement naman, kami ni Miles (Ocampo) nandun sa isang basement, meron kasing eksena na hinila yung paa. So every time na nasa hagdan ako ngayon, yun yung naiisip ko (laughs),” she recalled.