Dogged determination gets film from Cannes to Manila

LOU VELOSO (right), as a dog trainer, shares this poignant scene with dogs Kidda and Princess and costar Aljon Ibañez.

After four years, Ralston Jover’s “Da Dog Show” has finally premiered in Manila.

“There were a lot of hurdles along the way,” recalled producer, model-actress Bessie Badilla.

As its title suggests, the film focuses on a dog trainer. “It is based on the story of a real-life dog trainer, Mang Sergio,” she recounted. A self-confessed dog lover, Badilla said: “I was moved by his story.”

In 2012, “Da Dog Show” was the only Filipino entry chosen to take part in the Cannes L’Atelier—an initiative that seeks to match “promising” filmmakers with potential partners and financiers.

“After being invited to Cannes L’Atelier, we received a lot of inquiries from various possible coproducers from Germany, France and Belgium,” she related. “It took a long time to find the right coproducers and an even longer time to negotiate the type of funding our coproducers could provide.”

“Da Dog Show” found partners in San Cinema’s Sven Schnell of Germany and Lyon-Asie Expo of France.

The Cannes experience was “mind-blowing,” she owned up.

“Only 12 filmmakers were invited to the Cannes L’Atelier and ‘Dog Show’ was the lone Philippine entry,” she looked back. “The invitation came after Brillante Ma. Mendoza won best director for ‘Kinatay’ at Cannes. There were high expectations and tremendous curiosity about Philippine cinema.”

Foreigners were at first incredulous when they learned of the film’s story. “They asked us if the characters were real people,” she said. “A lot of them couldn’t believe that it was based on a true story.”

Speed bumps

During preproduction, the project encountered a few speed bumps.

“Originally, Ralston wanted Mang Sergio to play himself in the film. But while waiting for additional funding, Mang Sergio, who has asthma, got sick.”

Actor Lou Veloso eventually took over the part. The film also top-bills Mercedes Cabral (who was bitten by a dog), Micko Laurente, Simon Ibarra, Aljon Ibañez and Cherry Malvar.

Also, two of the film’s original dogs, Habagat and Bagwis, died in 2013.

“We needed to get other dogs,” Badilla reported. “Mang Sergio had to work double time to train the new dog. He had to teach the pet tricks, while recovering from his illness. He also had to train Lou at the same time.”

PRODUCER Bessie Badilla (left) and Nicolas Rouilleault of Cannes L’Atelier

The two dogs in the film are named Kidda and Princess.

Badilla noted that “Dog Show” is her second film with Jover, after their award-winning first collaboration, “Bakal Boys (Child Metal Divers)” in 2009.

“It was a happy reunion,” she said.

Now that the film is finally in the can, the entire team could heave a sigh of relief.

“I am very excited for Ralston and I am just as thrilled to share Ralston’s work with our countrymen,” she said. “Filipinos are the hardest audience to please. I am curious as to how they will respond to our film.”

Unusual tale

Badilla asserted: “‘Dog Show’ is a story that needs to be told. It is an unusual tale that will resonate with every parent … and everyone who believes that a dog is a man’s best friend. It will touch people’s hearts.”

She explained that the characters in the film are considered “invisible in our society.”

“They are ignored, neglected and taken for granted because they are poor and hopeless,” she pointed out. “In spite of their status in society, their hardships and difficulties, they remain loving to each other. They teach us humility and the importance of a caring family.”

“Dog Show” debuted on Monday, as part of the Asean Skies section of the World Premieres Film Festival Philippines.

It will have additional screenings on July 3 (5 p.m., SM Megamall), July 5 (9 p.m., SM North Edsa) and July 7 (1 p.m., SM North Edsa).