Amid raging storm, you end up in the hands of ruthless intruders. What will you do to survive? (From left): Donnalyn Bartolome, Richard Somes and Ella Cruz The nightmare is the premise of Viva Film’s latest offering “Cry No Fear” starring Ella Cruz and Donnalyn Bartolome. The two play half-sisters Wendy and Kaycee. When their father leaves them at home, the sisters are attacked by unwanted guests initially begging for food and medicine. Director Richard Somes believes the storyline is relevant these days, relating that some of his friends have been victimized by these “akyat-bahays.” “This is about how you are going to stand up and fight,” he explained. “Hindi lang ito tungkol sa biktima kun’di kung papano mo haharapin ’yung ganitong pangyayari lalo na… what if wala ka talagang mahingan ng tulong, ’di ba?” What’s with the title, we asked. “‘Cry No Fear…’ it really sounds like sa age (ng mga bida). Very Asian (film) ’yung vibe eh. Parang you cry pero walang lugar ’yung takot kasi you have to survive,” he shared. Action! “Cry No Fear” shows the usual perky Ella and Donnalyn in a different light. The latter, who considers the film her biggest break so far, finds it physically and emotionally draining due to the intense action scenes. “Actually very dangerous po ’yung mga eksena namin,” she maintained. “Alam niyo naman po na ’yung mga previous roles ko, puro mga pabebe and hindi po talaga ako sanay na masyadong active ’yung eksena. Nagkanda-pasa pasa at sugat pa nga po ako.” Ella, on her part, revealed she even saved Donnalyn from nearly drowning. In one of the scenes, the two needed to jump from a terrace into a six feet-deep swimming pool. “Medyo stressful talaga ’yung mga eksena. Like ang daming aksidente na nangyayari, nandyan ’yung nahulog kami sa hagdan tapos ’yung nagkakasugat kami dahil sa major fight scenes,” Ella shared. “One time, kailangan namin tumalon mula sa terrace, eh kailangan malalim ’yung pool kasi baka ’pag mababaw lang baka mabagok kami. So pagtalon namin, muntik malunod siya (Donnalyn). Natakot nga po ako nu’ng nakita ko na nag-a-ask na siya ng help, pinuntahan ko agad siya.” Most of the scenes were shot under the rain and that was another challenge for the lead stars. “Sobrang lamig na lamig na kami pero siyempre hindi namin pwedeng ipahalata kasi ang kailangang i-portray is ’yung takot and kaba since suspense/thriller nga po itong pelikula,” Ella said, adding that she even hyperventilate during the scenes. “Ako nga po kinabukasan after ng first shooting namin, hindi ako makatayo sa kama sa sobrang sakit ng katawan ko. Nilagnat agad ako eh,” Donnalyn added, laughing. Here’s the thing: The two didn’t use a double. “We want kasi our acting to be raw. Gusto ko pong patunayan na kaya ko siyang gawin kahit mahirap. Ayokong makita ng mga tao na pa-cute lang ako. Na hindi lang ako basta dancer, artista po ako,” Ella reiterated. Donnalyn, who is tagged as the Social Media Sweetheart, is known for doing best friend roles to Nadine Lustre’s character. She is grateful that she is finally given the chance to showcase her acting prowess in a lead role. “Sa totoo lang po na-surprise ako (na sa akin binigay ’tong role). Pero iniisip ko na lang na siguro sa tingin nila, kaya ko ng gampanan ng maayos ito. I’m so happy and very thankful po para sa opportunity,” she declared. Asked about the lesson fans could learn from the film, Ella shared, “Ang magkapatid, kahit madalas nag-aaway ’yan….kahit anong mangyari, magkapatid pa din ’yan at magtutulungan.” Both actresses agree working together in the film has brought them closer to each other. Praise Donnalyn and Ella have nothing but good words for Direk Richard. “Sobrang dami ko pong natutunan sa kaniya… kung paano ko po iaarte ang isang bagay. Nagkaroon po ako ng bagong skills bilang isang tao,” the 21-year-old Ella said. “Ako naman po sobrang na-o-overwhelm kasi dati napapanuod ko lang po ’yung mga films niya ngayon nakaka-work ko na po siya,” Donnalyn enthused. Richard returned the compliment. “Nakikita naman natin kung gaano sila ka-petite but they blew me away nu’ng nakita ko gaano sila ka-dedicated and passionate sa trabaho nila,” he explained. “I was actually so surprised sa mga nuances nila, ’yung emotions na binigay nila para sa script… sobrang bagay na bagay sa kanila. At higit sa lahat, kung paano wala silang takot na gawin ’yung mga delikadong eksena. Alam kong wala silang arte bilang mga artista.” Also in the cast are Lito Pimentel, Sheree, Lander Vera Perez, Christopher Roxas, and Patricia Javier. “Cry No Fear” are in cinemas nationwide.