First-time producers bankroll Vilma-Christopher film

This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is seeing new players stepping up to support and finance films, a welcome development amid the challenges in the movie-making industry.

One such example is When I Met You in Tokyo, which brings back the legendary onscreen pairing of Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon. The lead stars, who first collaborated in 1975 in the blockbuster film Tag-ulan Sa Tag-araw, recently expressed their gratitude to their producers — veteran concert producer Rajan Gidwani and Dubai-based Pinay businesswoman Rowena Jamaji — for choosing them to topbill their first-ever film venture under JG Productions. (They are joined in the producing team by former TV executive Redgie Magno.)

As per synopsis, When I Met You in Tokyo promises a feel-good Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) love story that shows love has no age limit. It is written by Suzette Doctolero, and directed by Rado Peru and Rommel Penza with Christopher as associate director.

“If I may be honest, when we started doing this film, there were people questioning why do a comeback movie with new producers,” Vilma, whose last movie was Everything About Her (2016), said during an interview with print editors.

“After six years of not doing movies, (there were people saying) why not make a comeback with a big bang and go to a major production company? But you see, it’s not that eh. First, I love the story. It’s something different and bagay sa edad ko. Second, it’s with Mr. Christopher de Leon.”

More importantly, Vilma, who’s dubbed in the industry as the “Star for All Seasons,” further said, “The mere fact that they trusted us for their first-ever venture, it’s a big thing for us.”

In support of its producers, she and Christopher are visibly going the extra mile to drum up interest for their film.

“They’re used to doing big concerts and now they’re trying to produce films and they chose us… even if may mga katapat kami na mga big producers… I’m very proud of them, they’re very nice and they’re giving us all the support even if they’re newcomers,” Vilma said.

“And with the help of our producer (former GMA executive Redgie Magno). She’s really working hard for this. (Since this is new to