VILLARAMA. Examines gay relationship forged on Facebook.
We were recently privileged to view Baby Ruth Villarama’s debut documentary, “Jazz in Love,” along with other entries to the Goethe Institute’s Franco-German-Filipino Documentary Workshop.
Villaram’s docu follows Ernesto “Jazz” Tigaldao, a 22-year-old gay from Davao who’s in love with Theodor Rutkowski, a 56-year-old German national whom he met on Facebook.
The two plan to marry, but Jazz has to pass the tough Deutsch-language test to realize his dream wedding and legally stay in Germany! Rutkowski flew to Mindanao to get the blessings of Jazz’s parents.
The documentary is noted for its subject’s openness, as well as Villarama’s sensitive handling of a cross-cultural gay relationship.
What is Baby Ruth’s advantage as a filmmaker? She replies, “I believe women will always have a special eye out for certain topics—like relationships. The charm of a woman can disarm an army and has the power to effect change!”
“Jazz in Love” is joining the HKTDC Hong Kong International Film and TV Market on March 18-21.