Marie Jamora's dream movie

MANILA, Philippines - There are three things that Marie Jamora, celebrated music video and TV commercial director, made clear about her debut feature and Cinemalaya entry Ang Nawawala: It’s not going to be a 90-minute music video (“It’s going to be 110 minutes,” her co-writer Ramon de Veyra jokes); it’s not going to be another Rakenrol, her good friend Quark Henares’ film that also prominently features the Pinoy underground music and gig scene (“I love Rakenrol but my film is super different talaga,” she adds); and it’s not going to be as ground-breaking as Inception (“It’s a simple coming-of-age story on love and loss,” Marie says).

Ang Nawawala is also this: Marie’s dream film. And not just any dream film — it’s the film she waited 10 years to make.

Ang Nawawala tells the story of Gibson Bonifacio (played by Dominic Roco) who stopped speaking after the death of his twin brother Jamie (Felix Roco). Now 20 years old, he comes back home to Manila from his studies abroad for the first time in three years. He reconnects with his family and childhood friends and finds himself taking a chance at his first real romantic relationship.

“I had a version of it in college and then another version of it in film school,” Marie, a graduate of Ateneo and Columbia University, says. For 10 years, all she had for sure was the ending. She had some scenes, some dialogue, some shots — but never really got to actually write everything as one solid screenplay. Finally, one New Year’s night, she asked Ramon to be her co-writer (“I like the way he speaks and writes and we like the same movies,” Marie shares), and they began writing what would become one of the most anticipated films in this year’s Cinemalaya.

Supreme sat down with Marie and Ramon as they talked about their “lo-fi” writing process, the film’s perfect timing, and how Ang Nawawala, although 10 years in the making, is definitely worth the wait.

SUPREME: Why did it take you 10 years to finally do this film?

Behind the scenes: Director Marie Jamora flanked by Earl Ignacio and Ramon De Veyra

MARIE JAMORA: I was writing bits and pieces of this film in years but never really got off my butt to do it. Then it was my New Year’s resolution last year to finally do it. I told myself, I’m gonna do this film this year, f*** it. ‘Coz I realized I can’t do any other movie if I can’t do this one. I needed to finish this first before I can move on.

So even if it took you 10 years, do you think this still came at the perfect time? I mean, had you done this film when you were 25?

It would’ve been a very different movie. It wouldn’t have been like this. Now I’m mature enough to make it and I have enough technical experience. And with Ramon, too, I guess we already reached the perfect level of friendship for this. It’s the perfect timing really. I’m very happy it’s now.

How was the transition from doing 30-second TV commercials and three-minute music videos to a 90-minute full-length film? Na-culture shock ka ba?

Parang I should have been pero hindi e. I prepared for this, I went to film school for this, I love watching movies. Not to say that I’m a natural, but this is something I’ve always wanted to do all my life, I’m just very happy right now, so I guess I didn’t have time to be shocked.

I’m sure your film will be compared to Rakenrol, which is also a love story set in the Pinoy underground gig scene. What makes your film different from Quark’s?

I’m expecting the comparison because we’re friends and we’re both music video directors, but we’re really two very different directors talaga eh. I watched his film and I loved it, but I never really saw Rakenrol being similar to my film after watching it. Rakenrol is about music and the people who make it; my film is about music and the people who just love it, because it becomes their voice. It’s the soundtrack of their lives.

What were the compromises you had to do while filming because of time and money constraints?

RAMON DE VEYRA: Where to begin?

MARIE: (Laughs) I’m just really happy I got everyone I wanted from the cast to my crew. Yun lang, I’m okay na.

Love team: Actors Dominic Roco and Annicka Dolonius

What are your hopes for this film? Do you want to win Audience Choice, or do you want to win Best Film?

I just want people to watch it here and abroad. And that the people who worked on this film, I just want them to be proud of it.

You’re one of the most talented and awarded music video directors we have. Do you still have moments when you feel scared about the possibility of failing, that your debut film won’t be as successful?

Failure can happen any day. It’s really a possibility. But for me, it’s not just my film eh. It’s a collaborative effort with people, all of whom I consider brilliant and if everybody is contributing as they are and putting all of their hearts forward, then the chances of failure won’t be as high.

So why should we watch Ang Nawawala?

Oh no, pageant question. (To Ramon:) You answer first.

RAMON: I think Marie’s reputation precedes her. That’s why when the list of finalists came out, people were already looking forward to her film. There’s a certain history that’s associated with her body of work.

MARIE: Okay, this is my answer. I just made my dream film, and I hope you want to watch it.

Let’s fast forward to the day of your film’s premiere. The end credits roll, and finally you see “Ang Nawawala, Directed by Marie Jamora, All Rights Reserved, 2012.” What’s the first thing on your mind?

P***,feeling ko iiyak ako. I’ll be just so happy it’s over.

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Ang Nawawala premieres at the Cinemalaya Film Festival today, July 21, at 3:30 p.m. at the CCP Main Theater. The film stars Dominic Roco, Felix Roco, Dawn Zulueta, Buboy Garovillo, Mercedes Cabral, Kelvin Yu, Annicka Dolonius, Alchris Galura, Marc Abaya, Jenny Jamora, and Sabrina Mann.