Kapamilya star Maris Racal turned emotional after watching her movie Sunshine for the first time at the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy.
Project 8 Projects shared the snapshots of Maris at the film's premiere on April 25 (Europe time). "Maris Racal saw Sunshine for the first time in Udine, Italy. This was her as the credits rolled and the whole theatre clapped for her. She bawled her eyes out. We love you, Sunshine @mariesteller. The world is yours!" the film outfit posted.
The Far East Film Festival is one of the largest Asian film festivals in Europe, dedicated to highlighting the diversity and richness of Asian cinema.
Sunshine follows the story of "a young gymnast who discovers she is pregnant on the week of the national team tryouts. On her way to a seller of illegal abortion drugs, she meets a mysterious girl who eerily talks and thinks like her," as per its IMDb.
Back in February, the movie won the Crystal Bear for Best Film at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival.
"The Crystal Bear is awarded to the Best Feature Film of both the Generation Kplus and the Generation 14plus competition. @berlinale @berlinale_generation," Project 8 Projects previously posted on social media.
In an interview in 2024, Maris shared that she trained for a year for her role in Sunshine.
"I really pushed my limits and trained for it. Kahit mahirap, pinilit ko," she shared. "It was made through blood, sweat, and tears. Talagang pinaghirapan namin. 2020 pa yung script. It made me very emotional because one year ako nag train. Nakita ko pelikula, trailer iba dating sa akin. Maganda story."
Maris remarked that the film helped her evolve more as an actress.
"Sa film na 'to, I’ve grown so much as an actress," she said in an Instagram post in January 2024 as she wrapped up filming for the movie.
"Ito 'yung project na magiging proud ako na nagawa ko dahil sa sobrang ganda ng mensahe. Thank you direk [Antoinette Jadaone] ako napili mo."