First-time producers bankroll Vilma-Christopher film

This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is seeing new players stepping up to support and finance films, a welcome development amid the challenges in the movie-making industry.

One such example is When I Met You in Tokyo, which brings back the legendary onscreen pairing of Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon. The lead stars, who first collaborated in 1975 in the blockbuster film Tag-ulan Sa Tag-araw, recently expressed their gratitude to their producers — veteran concert producer Rajan Gidwani and Dubai-based Pinay businesswoman Rowena Jamaji — for choosing them to topbill their first-ever film venture under JG Productions. (They are joined in the producing team by former TV executive Redgie Magno.)

As per synopsis, When I Met You in Tokyo promises a feel-good Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) love story that shows love has no age limit. It is written by Suzette Doctolero, and directed by Rado Peru and Rommel Penza with Christopher as associate director.

“If I may be honest, when we started doing this film, there were people questioning why do a comeback movie with new producers,” Vilma, whose last movie was Everything About Her (2016), said during an interview with print editors.

“After six years of not doing movies, (there were people saying) why not make a comeback with a big bang and go to a major production company? But you see, it’s not that eh. First, I love the story. It’s something different and bagay sa edad ko. Second, it’s with Mr. Christopher de Leon.”

Producer and former TV executive Redgie Magno with directors Rado Peru and Rommel Penza.

More importantly, Vilma, who’s dubbed in the industry as the “Star for All Seasons,” further said, “The mere fact that they trusted us for their first-ever venture, it’s a big thing for us.”

In support of its producers, she and Christopher are visibly going the extra mile to drum up interest for their film.

“They’re used to doing big concerts and now they’re trying to produce films and they chose us… even if may mga katapat kami na mga big producers… I’m very proud of them, they’re very nice and they’re giving us all the support even if they’re newcomers,” Vilma said.

“And with the help of our producer (former GMA executive Redgie Magno). She’s really working hard for this. (Since this is new to them), that’s why we’re trying to help. That’s why we’re working on this as a family. We’re here working collaboratively just to make and come up with a nice movie. We’re doing our share just to say that we have a good product. It may not be as big as the film of a big network, but we’re proud of this product.

“So even if may mga nagsasabi, let’s see kung ano ang kinalabasan, we’re praying that you give us a chance. May mga gusto pa tumulong para umunlad ang industriya and nagkataon sa amin yun, that’s why we’re very grateful.”

Meanwhile, the newbie producers reflected on their experiences so far in the industry.

“We’re very, very delighted that two big stars ang first movie namin. I’m very hands-on because I want to prove to them that I’m really all-out (as producer),” said Rowena.

“We will try our level best to stay and keep producing to support the industry. It’s a learning process for us… This long journey of nine months, from the time we started shooting, has been very very exhausting and challenging but also so exciting.

“I’m very confident (with this film). I’ve been telling the group, wala akong kaba… In the end, with God’s grace and blessing, hopefully, we will bag an award or two, and that our very first investment will be a blockbuster, too.”

Rowena was also quick to add that whatever the outcome is, “I’m already very satisfied.”

Rajan, for his part, shared that it was Rowena who encouraged him to come on board as co-producer.

Prior to saying yes, he recalled asking fellow concert producer and former actor Joed Serrano, “What do you think of Boyet (Christopher) and Vilma in a comeback movie? He said, ‘Do not think twice, you go to the meeting and accept their offer.’”

When asked which was more challenging — mounting concerts or films — he said, “When you get Vilma and Boyet, you really have to be careful in handling things. It’s not like you get into a concert and you get a tech rider and you just follow the tech rider,” he said.

In live shows’ parlance, a tech rider refers to the list of technical stage instructions that allows venues to be ready for performers’ tech requirements.

“Here (in the film), there are personalities involved one after the other… Managers with tech riders, they tell you what to do and they are here for three days. It’s not like in the movies, it’s stretched out,” he further shared.

He also said that initially, they were supposed to premiere When I Met You in Tokyo last September but decided to submit it to the MMFF instead.

“Of course, getting into the MMFF had its own situation because we knew there were already four particular titles coming in. We were not even considering the MMFF at all. We were headstrong about the Sept. 27 independent showing. But I guess, it’s God’s will.”

Rajan likewise expressed his full confidence in the box-office potential of the film. “I think if the movie manages to break even, for our experiences alone, it’s good already for us. But I really believe in the movie.”

(Opening on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, When I Met You in Tokyo has been rated PG or Parental Guidance by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.)