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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider Athlete of the soul: A review of 'Just Javier'

Athlete of the soul: A review of 'Just Javier'

Published Aug 7, 2026 10:38 am

One of the films opening in cinemas in the week of Aug. 12 is the Bosco Films documentary "Solo Javier" (to be released as "Just Javier"). It's a biopic of the life of the Spaniard Javier Sartorius, and it chronicles his spiritual transformation and life journey. Coincidentally, the film arrives here on the 20th anniversary of his passing away in 2006.

Javier was born into Spanish aristocracy, was a noted tennis player, then a paddle tennis champion in the USA, a surfer, and a coach.

But beyond these activities as a regular young man, there was his slow realization that there had to be more to his life than the endless partying, the flirting and dalliances with young women, and this carefree attitude to life.

What the documentary faithfully records is his life's transformation and how, at one juncture, Javier dedicated his life to one of meaning, compassion, and a commitment to his faith.

Directed by Josep Maria Anglès, and starring Tomas Farell as Javier, the film was crowdfunded, with the full support of the Sartorius family.

The brother and cousin of Javier are among the resource persons interviewed in the documentary, and they lend authenticity to the enterprise.

Shot in Spain, Peru, and the United States, I appreciated the production values brought to this film, the vistas and drone shots, and how expansive the location shoots are.

During the advanced screening that I watched, someone even commented how some of the shots were like travel promos, and that she now wanted to visit Peru.

These all belie the fact that the film had been crowdsourced for financing. There is a shine and polish to this documentary.

Dubbed in English for its screening here, that may be the only thing one needs to adjust to. I'm fine with subtitles, but I know that here in the Philippines, that's not very popular, and dubbing is more the way to go if one wants the film to be avidly watched.

The documentary speaks for itself and is recommended for those who are partial to films of spiritual transformation, of conversion, and about dedicating one's life to a cause.

It's a very accessible film, kept relatively linear, and can be admired for being so earnest and sincere.

I understand there is a move at the Vatican for the beatification of Javier Sartorius. If you wanted a film depicting what a modern-day saint could be like, this is the film for you.

"Just Javier" will be showing exclusively in Ayala Cinemas.

Related Tags

Just Javier Solo Javier Javier Sartorius Bosco Films Josep Maria Anglès Tomas Farell Ayala Cinemas
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