Seasoned writer-director Chris Martinez's recent return to film work via "Here Comes the Groom," proved fruitful as the film is among official entries to the first Summer edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival.
Of course, he hopes nothing but the best for his project.
He said in an interview: "It's been five years since my last movie, so sana po itong pagbabalik ko sa direkting, sana po suportahan po ninyo."
According to him, it's a "dream come true na makabalik sa paggawa ng pelikula."
He expressed gratitude to producer Atty. Joji Alonso for making it possible.
He also congratulated the cast, saying: "Ang gagaling niyo! You're all so good!"
Chris shared that the first thing they did before doing the project was to assign specific actors who could best give life to the film’s characters.
With his guidance, of course.
"Naging collaborative yung process sa pag buo nung characters kasi ipapasa nila yun e, every detail, yung instruction nila sa isat-isa."
In fact, he revealed how they used a "magic notebook."
"Meron kami talagang kodigo," he related.
"Nakalista dun kung ano yung mga dapat nilang gawin as characters... May checklist ako. Sa bawat bago mag-take meron talaga akong chine-check isa-isa sa kanila kung nagagawa lahat or at least 75% nung checklist na yun," he added. "Bawat characters, so ganun ka detalye yung assignment nila. May ganung mannerism at expression. Nakakatuwa kasi talagang team work talaga. Nag-tulungan talaga sila."
Note that the story revolves around the Rodrigo family (composed of Enchong Dee, Keempee de Leon, Maris Racal, and Gladys Reyes).
Enchong’s Junior was supposed to wed his girlfriend (Miles Ocampo) in the middle of a solar eclipse.
While traversing a magnetic field, they figure in an accident with a group of konteseras - Mama Wendy (Iyah Mina), Kaladkaren (Wilhelmina), Wanda (Xilhouete), Winona (Nico Antonio), and their trainee Whitney (Awra Briguela).
A soul-swapping occurs.
Junior with that of Wilhelmina, Wanda with that of Rodrigo Sr, and Whitney with that of Maris’ character.
"Here Comes the Groom" is the sequel to the 2010 hit movie "Here Comes the Bride.”
Asked if he is afraid that the films will be compared, he said: "Okay lang naman siguro ma-ikumpara sa sarili mong gawa..."
But he reiterated that the new movie is way different than its predecessor.
"Iba to e, di ba? Kung napanuod niyo yung una at ito, iba ito," Chris stressed. "Siguro masasabi ko mas spiritual ito, mas naka-focus ito sa soul. Na ang soul ba natin ay nagho-hold ng identity?"
"Para sa akin mas malalim to at tsaka mas may punto ba, may tumbok yung sequel na to," he added. "Yung first kasi parang wishful thinking lang. Ito, meron siyang stand na gustong sabihin for a change naman."
In any case, he's happy with both projects.
As for the awards, Chris said that more than anything, he's grateful for the fact that things are now almost back to normal.
"Mas mahalaga sa akin na bumalik yung mga tao sa sinehan. Mas gusto ko na marami ulit yung halakhakan na sabay-sabay gaya ng na experience natin kanina. Sabay-sabay tayong tumatawa," he said.
"Tuwang-tuwang, tuwang-tuwa po ako dahil ang tagal-tagal ko ng di na-experience yun or naririnig - yung mga tawa niyo ng sabay-sabay at palakpakan, at the same time. Tsaka kung kailan kayo nakikinig, kailan kayo tatawa. Ang sarap maramdaman ang ganung pulso ng audience. So maraming salamat.”
"Here Comes the Groom," produced by Quantum Films, CineKo Productions, and Brightlight Productions, opens April. 8.