WITH the success of his film “Just a Stranger” earlier this year, director Jason Paul (JP) Laxamana follows it up with his latest project “Ang Henerasyong Sumuko sa Love.”
The talented director admitted he does not feel pressured with the outcome of his previous project. “No pressure. Kasi I don’t have that expectation for myself. I’ve accepted na bawat pelikula na nailalabas ko, it’s beyond my control kung magiging succesful siya or hindi,” he said.
“But what I can assure people is that I did the very best that I can as writer and as director. I leave it up to the universe kung papatok siya or hindi,” he added.
The director said that even after doing several films, he still cannot predict how the audience will respond to his movies. “Of course every film is unpredictable. Depende sa timing, depende sa maraming factors, pero kasi ang philosophy ko in every film that I do, talagang ginagalingan ko nalang yung trabaho ko and then I leave it to the universe kung ano maging kapalaran nito. Basta confident ako na maayos namin ginawa yung trabaho namin and nag-preview ako nung pelikula and in fairness, naiyak ako ng konti,” he admitted.
As writer and director of “Ang Henerasyong Sumuko sa Love”, JP said he wanted to break free from the mold of usual barkada films. “Gusto namin gumawa ng youth-oriented movie pero we wanted a barkada movie na no-holds barred, hindi siya pa-cute, hindi siya pa-bebe, kumbaga gusto namin makita yung totoong mga suliranin ng mga kabataan ngayon. Ang nag-hold kami ng auditions para makuha sila, so talagang sinala namin para hindi yung role ang mag-a-adjust sa artista. Wala akong any actors in mind nung sinusulat ko siya. Talagang ganun yung process ko lagi. Hindi ako nag-iisip ng artista. Probably for “Just a Stranger” kasi nauna yung casting before yung script. Pero for this one, script muna tapos audition or casting call,” he shared.
Aside from his trademark Kapampangan locations in his films, JP said “Ang Henerasyon” does not include any of his own personal experiences. “I’m sure subconsciously meron ako napasok pero specific scenes parang wala naman. Siguro yung character ni Tony (Labrusca) kasi nandun ako sa stage na work, work, work. Parang yung work ko yung naging center ng identity ko, ginawa ko siyang Diyos yung trabaho. Wala ng time for other things. Pero we’re trying to solve that problem by being less pressured sa mga bagay na hindi mo kaya i-control kagaya ng box office results and many other things,” he said.
After “Ang Henerasyon”, direk JP also shared his exciting new projects. “Meron akong ginagawang indie film. Babalik ako sa indie pero hindi ko pa puwedeng i-announce yung details kasi bawal pa. At saka meron akong gagawin na superhero movie pero hindi pa rin ito puwedeng sabihin. Sinusulat ko siya currently,” he added. (Push)
