Award-winning actor Elijah Canlas shared how he hopes to see the film Sunshine screen in local cinemas soon. The Senior High star expressed how the film is very relevant to today’s society and wished it won’t be censored as well due to the content of the film. 

Sunshine is a film about a girl of the same name (portrayed by Maris Racal), who finds out she’s pregnant the week of the try-outs for the national team for gymnastics. The film has won the Crystal Bear for the Best Film at the recently concluded Berlin International Film Festival.

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Elijah revealed that he was only able to watch Sunshine when he attended the prestigious film festival alongside the film’s director, Antoinette Jadaone. He expressed how proud he was of their film knowing how female-centric it was.

“Well, first time ko siya mapanood sa Berlin and all I can say is I’m very proud to be a part of a film like that. Gawa ng isang female filmmaker and pinauunahan mostly ng female cast and telling a very very important story–– a timely story,” he shared.

“Bilang isang lalaki, bilang isang artista na magiging parte lang ng pelikulang ganun. Nagkwekwento ng ganun, malaking bagay na siya sa akin and I’m just grateful. Kaya sumama talaga ako sa Berlin kasi gusto ko talaga siya mapanood and also Berlinale is a dream festival to attend. The fact na nakapasa siya dun and more nanalo pa ng Crystal Bear, excited ako mapanood ng mga tao dito sa Pilipinas yung Sunshine,” he added.

He then praised the team of Sunshine–– from the cast up to the crew–– for their contribution to the film.

“Yung pagkaganap ni Maris kasi napakahusay ni Maris,” he said.

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Meanwhile, Elijah hopes that Filipinos will be able to watch the film in local cinemas. Though there are no plans of local screenings yet, he expressed how viewers should keep an open mind when watching it.

“Ang plano is iikot muna sa mga film festivals–– make noise there. Sana magkaroon ng traction enough hype to screen here. Matapang yung pelikula and yung kwento na tinatackle niya. Sana mabigyan kami ng tamang platform and tamang mga distributors na magtiwala sa pelikula,” he said.

“Sana hindi rin harangin ng censorship board dito sa Pilipinas… We’re hoping they keep an open mind and you know take it as it is, which is a film that is telling a real story. A lot of girls go through this,” he ended.