Victor Villanueva, One-on-one sa direktor sa ‘Patay na si Hesus’

TALAGSAON ang naangkong kalampusan sa Cebuano comedy indie film nga “Patay na si Hesus” (PNSH) nga gipasidunggan niadtong Dominggo og Jury’s Choice Award sa Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) atol sa labing unang Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Ang ilang direktor, 29 anyos lang ug usa usab ka Cebuano. Ato siyang ilailahon sa mosunod natong exclusive one-on-one interview. Victor Villanueva, Ssssuper Ka!

Please bring us back to the days when you first started this movie.

There was a debate whether to shoot it in Tagalog or Bisaya, but we went with Bisaya sa amo gut feel. Daghan niingon ma-limit among market kung Bisaya. Mao nga wa gyud mi nag-expect nga daghan manan-aw, but each day, the viewership increases. There was really good word of mouth. We were worried sa among pag-promote kay kulang kaayo mi og TV plugs and it is very expensive. Pero ang mga nanan-aw dili lang mga Bisaya, kundi mga Tagalog, Ilonggo, etc.. super relatable daw sa ilaha ang movie.

Pila na’y kita sa PNSH?

I don’t have the figures pa, my producers won’t reveal it to me. Haha…

Ikapila na ni nimong pelikula as a director?

This is my second movie, my first was “My Paranormal Romance” in 2011 nga usa ka supernatural romcom, and available na ron sa IFLIX. I also did short films like “Saranghae My Tutor” and “When Mary Met Guido.”

Unsay nahuman nimong kurso?

Fine Arts Advertising sa University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus. After that I helped co-produce Jerrold Tarog's first film "Confessional" and I moved to Manila in 2009.

Giunsa nimo pag-penetrate ang Manila?

I was usually a PA, producer, editor, sa mga freelance gigs. It wasn’t until I submitted an entry sa 2011 Cinema One Originals that I was able to direct my first feature length movie. Napugos ko’g buhat, I never imagined mag-direct ko before. My Paranormal Romance was also shot in Cebu and in Bisaya. I’m usually a freelancer, and I do a lot of commercials and digital ads. I’ve done AXE black with Bamboo and Solenn Heusaff, Eskinol web series, and a Mang Inasal viral video with Angel Locsin. I also did the music video for Glaiza de Castro's first single, From Dusk Til Dawn, and I co-directed a music video with Direk Joyce Bernal for Jireh Lim's Magkabilang Mundo.

Giunsa pag-conceptualize ang estorya sa PNSH?

The script was written by Fatrick Tabada. It’s loosely based sa iyahang life story and we pooled our nostalgic experiences into the script, especially the Cebu to Dumaguete route.

Is it true nga naa ni part 2?

Trilogy ang plano ni Fatrick, ang writer, pero dili sila connected.

What’s the most difficult part when you did this movie?

Shooting a road movie is hard, it is a logistical nightmare! Having to be always on the road, and gagukod mi pirmi sa adlaw.

Wala ka ma-intimidate ni Jaclyn Jose?

Jaclyn was very professional, she was intimidating at first, when we started shooting, she was fresh off her Cannes win. What I admire about Jaclyn is she has a lot of insight and input para sa iyahang character, which helped fleshed out her character more.

Unsa pa’y umaabot nimong mga pelikula?

I’m doing a film with Star Cinema soon, and other major studios. Secret pa ang Star Cinema, but it’s going to be a sexy rom com.

What’s your message to the Cebuanos?

They’ve been saying na what we did was very groundbreaking for regional and Cebuano cinema. Though I never really thought it that way, all we wanted was to make a really good film nga Bisaya and wanted a lot of people to watch it, kay kasagaran maghimo mi og salida before, kutob ra sa festival or select venues ra. I’m very thankful to my team sa Above the line productions, Moria Lang and Epic Media, and to our executive producer, T Rex Entertainment on taking a gamble with us. Sa mga Bisaya nga nitan-aw sa Patay na si Hesus, DAGHAN KAAYONG SALAMAT!