Filmmaker and producer find reliable allies in each other

RALSTON Jover and Bessie Badilla at the Cannes L’Atelier in 2012

It’s not every day that you get to meet a reliable partner in the movie world, filmmaker Ralston Jover concedes.

That is precisely why he values his long-running collaboration with US-based model/actress-turned-indie producer Bessie Badilla. “She’s a trouper,” Ralston says of Bessie. “I sometimes get embarrassed when I have to tell her about our production expenses.”

Bessie echoes Ralston’s sentiments: “He is tried and tested. He comes up with the most original films.”

She points out that they started in the indie scene at the same time. “Ralston’s first film as director, ‘Bakal Boys,’ was also my debut as a producer. It was as if we grew up in the movie industry at the same time.”

Primarily because of that acclaimed 2009 film, Bessie and Ralston became instant globe-trotters, too.

“We literally went around the world,” Bessie enthuses. “I traveled a lot as a model, visiting various fashion capitals. But as producer, I got to tour places I never dreamed of seeing… Tallin in Estonia, Thessaloniki in Greece, Torino in Italy.”

The list goes on and on.

“We must’ve gone to at least 12 festivals, for ‘Bakal Boys,’” Ralston points out.

But it all started in Manila, of course. “Bakal Boys” premiered and won the top prize in the Netpac (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) section of the Cinemalaya fest in 2009.

“Ralston barred me from visiting the set in Baseco (Port Area, Manila),” she recalls. “I had the tendency to spoil our young actors. I wanted to bring bottled water and towels for them. Ralston explained to me that I might distract the kids from their jobs.”

They again teamed up for last year’s “Da Dog Show,” which won best film and screenplay (for Ralston) and best performer (for lead actor Lou Veloso) at the Young Critics Circle Awards. The film was part of the Cannes L’Atelier in 2012, Bessie recounts.

Since “Da Dog Show” was such a fulfilling experience, Lou, Bessie and Ralston reunited for “Hiblang Abo,” an entry in the 12th Cinemalaya, currently ongoing at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Ayala Cinemas.

“I was hooked when Ralston told me that the film was about four old men living in a hospice,” Bessie relates. “I immediately asked for the screenplay, which I loved.”

“Hiblang Abo” also stars Jun Urbano, Nanding Josef, Matt Daclan, Flor Salanga, Angela Cortez and Leo Rialp.

After focusing on four young kids in “Hamog,” his most recent film, Ralston is now telling the story of four old men in “Hiblang Abo.”

Such a drastic, and dramatic, 180-degree narrative turn can only happen in the indie scene, he remarks. “Directors are allowed to tackle different stories in indie movies.”

“Hiblang Abo” also marks a departure for Ralston, who had to work on a story that he didn’t write. His latest film is based on a prize-winning play by Rene Villanueva.

“It’s challenging and exciting at the same time,” Ralston says of the transition from stage to screen. “I used certain devices, like magical realism, and decided to focus on the emotional journey of the characters.”

After the success of “Hamog” in the international film festival circuit, there is a lot of buzz about “Da Dog Show” and “Hiblang Abo,” Bessie reports.

“Hamog” won Outstanding Artistic Achievement at the Shanghai fest and best actress (for Therese Malvar) at the Moscow fest. “Hamog” was also picked up by the noncommercial channel Russia-Culture, which will air it as a one-night special soon.

Programmers are asking for copies of the two films, they volunteer. “But I want to show ‘Da Dog Show’ and ‘Hiblang Abo’ in local cinemas, too,” Ralston quips.