What keeps filmmaker Paul Soriano running

“Thelma” director Paul Soriano insists that the recent controversy involving his lead star Maja Salvador and actors Matteo Guidicelli and Coco Martin was not a gimmick to promote the film.

“Star Cinema (distributor of ‘Thelma’) will not resort to violence just to promote anything,” the director told Inquirer Entertainment during the indie film’s special screening on Sunday at Greenbelt 3, Makati. “When we scheduled the premiere, we didn’t know that the Star Magic Ball was scheduled the night before …”

Martin and Guidicelli figured in a brawl, reportedly because of Salvador, shortly after the Star Magic Ball held at the Peninsula Manila’s Rigodon Ballroom on September 3. The incident happened during the post-ball party at the Pen’s Salon de Ning.

Asked if the incident has helped the movie in any way, Soriano said: “I don’t dwell on it. I focus only on the good reviews we got at the premiere. Stories outside the film are not my focus right now. I read published articles only if they’re about my direction or my actors’ performance …”

Proud of Maja

Soriano, who was also romantically linked with Salvador during the film’s shoot, was all praise for the actress. “She carried the movie from start to finish … I’m so proud of her. Just like [her character] Thelma, she doesn’t run away from a fight. She was scheduled to promote on ‘The Buzz’ that Sunday. She could’ve just begged off, pero ang tapang niya. She still appeared and told the truth.”

Soriano is the grandson of the late actor Nestor de Villa. He started out as a director of concerts and events, and later ventured into directing TV commercials, like his dad Jeric. His first full-length feature, “A Journey Home,” was released in 2009.

“Thelma” tells the story of a barrio lass who trains as a runner to help alleviate her family’s financial woes.

Soriano fully immersed himself in the world of runners to prepare for this, his latest indie film.

A running enthusiast, Soriano started joining some 5K and 10K fun runs “to get the feel of competitive sports.”

He also did extensive research. “I interviewed all sorts of athletes—competitive, recreational, champion runners. Their stories inspired me and made me even more passionate about filmmaking.”

Soriano pushed Salvador to undergo a real athlete’s rigorous regimen.

“Maja did everything to become Thelma,” Soriano recounted. “Before the shoot, she went on a six-week training program with running champ Elma Muros. They ran, did drills and different exercises so that she would develop the form, discipline and technique of an athlete.”

Soriano coached Maja in several acting workshops. “We collaborated very well. She made me forget that she was Maja; she transformed herself into Thelma.”

Going places

Like its titular heroine, the film is off and running, and going places.

Next month, it will have its world premiere at the 31st Hawaii International Film Festival.

“We sent [the organizers] a screener last July,” said Soriano. “A month later, they invited me. I’m so excited to be going.”

He has a simple goal in Hawaii. “We want viewers to be inspired and we hope this will open doors to more festivals. ‘Thelma’ would love to run all over the world.”

Soriano explained that, although the film is thoroughly Filipino, it imparts a “universal” message.

“I hope foreigners will appreciate the sacrifices that our athletes make to fulfill their dreams of becoming world champions,” he said. “I want them to see the beauty of Ilocos Norte and the whole country.”

Soriano recalled that he fought tooth and nail to shoot in Ilocos. “I’ve always been in love with its visual landscapes and textures.”

In Hawaii, he will also get to show a different face of Filipinos onscreen.

“I want foreigners to realize that Filipinos are full of heart and passion. We are talented people and we work hard to hone our gifts, so we can share them with the rest of the world,” Soriano asserted.

More than anything else, “Thelma” is a story fueled by faith and inspiration. “I created a character to remind us that we can achieve anything we want,” Soriano said.

With grit and grace, he said, “she went beyond her dream.”

The film, currently showing in theaters, also features Tetchie Agbayani, Sue Prado, Eliza Pineda, John Arcilla, Jason Abalos and Elma Muros.