When I Met You in Tokyo
| When I Met You In Tokyo | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by |
|
| Screenplay by | Suzette Doctolero |
| Story by |
|
| Produced by | Redgie A. Magno |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Shayne Sarte |
| Edited by | Froilan Francia |
| Music by | Jessie Lasaten |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Rafaella Films International |
Release date |
|
Running time | 123 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
When I Met You In Tokyo (Japanese: 東京で会ったとき, Hepburn: Tōkyō de atta toki) is a 2023 Philippine romantic drama film written by Suzette Doctolero and directed by Rado Peru and Rommel Penesa. It stars Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon, both of whom were teamed up in several blockbuster films such as Tag-ulan sa Tag-Araw (1975), Sinasamba Kita (1982), Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Nakaraan (1983), Imortal (1989), Dekada '70 (2002), and Mano Po III: My Love (2004).[1][2]
It was released on December 25, 2023, as an official entry for the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival.
Plot
[edit]The film begins in Japan, where Azon and her friends work as servants at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, while Joey is a farmer working on a Japanese farm with his friend Akira and a man recently annulled from his marriage. Azon meets Joey at a bar during a party with her friends, and they are scolded by Joey for causing trouble. Afterward, Azon punches him in the face, and her friends drag her away. Later, Azon and Joey meet again when she buys vegetables from him, and they recognize each other from the bar the previous night.
Azon learns that her brother Marlon is a gambling addict after his daughter secretly contacts her. This leads Azon to stop giving him money, but Marlon later slaps his daughter for being a "traitor." He then apologizes to Azon, promising to change after visiting their parents' graves. In Joey's family, he is close to his daughter but has a strained relationship with his ex-wife. With Akira's advice about forgiveness, Joey decides to forgive his ex-wife and move on from their past mistakes.
Azon and Joey eventually get married and move to Joey's home, enjoying a loving relationship. However, due to their age, they can't consummate their love on their honeymoon. Their marriage lasts six years, but Azon develops osteoarthritis in her leg, creating challenges for Joey, who secretly suffers from heart problems that only he and his daughter know about. Azon becomes angry when she learns that Joey kept his illness a secret from her.
After taking a walk in the snowy mountains, Azon and Joey rest at home. While Azon goes to get water, Joey suffers a heart attack. She returns to find him collapsed, and he tells her he loves her before dying. Both Akira and Azon are devastated by Joey's death. Azon informs Joey's daughter, who is also deeply saddened. Afterward, Azon reflects on the valuable lessons Joey taught her, including gardening, farming, and how to cut a bonsai tree, which taught her patience. The film ends with Azon narrating about finding one's soulmate and how they are meant to be together.
Cast
[edit]- Vilma Santos as Azon, a feisty and bubbly woman. Santos who is returning to acting in feature film after working in the 2016 film Everything About Her,[3] accepted the project upon learning that de Leon would be her on-screen partner. Their last film appearance together was in the 2004 film, Mano Po III: My Love[4]
- Christopher de Leon as Joey, a farmer who is still reeling from the aftermath of a divorce with his unfaithful ex-wife.[4] Director Conrado Peru requested de Leon to be also an associate director and to help the production staff work with Santos.[5]
- Cassy Legaspi as Hannah
- Darren Espanto as Jomar
- Lotlot De Leon as Charlene
- Gabby Eigenmann as Marlon
- Kouki Taguchi as Tekeru
- Gina Alajar as Susan
- Tirso Cruz III as Edwin
- Kakai Bautista as Sonia
- Lynn Cruz as Anita
- Jacky Woo as Akira
- John Gabriel as Drew
Production
[edit]When I Met You In Tokyo was produced under JG Productions and was directed by Rado Peru and Rommel Penesa. Suzette Doctolero was the scriptwriter while Shayne Sarte was the cinematographer.[2]
The film is about two older Overseas Filipino Workers in Japan. Around 95 percent of the principal photography took place in the East Asian country, with most of the film's story taking place in the countryside.[2] Filming in Japan started around April 2023.[6][7]
Release
[edit]When I Met You In Tokyo premiered in cinemas in the Philippines on December 25, 2023, as one of the official entries of the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival.[8] The film was originally scheduled to be released sometime around September 2023, but JG Productions decided to postpone the release date due to the rainy season.[9]
Reception
[edit]Critical Reception
[edit]The film received a generally positive reception from several notable reviewers according to review aggregator website Kritikultura. It garnered a score of 63/100 based on 16 reviews.[10]
Several critics noted De Leon and Santos's performance as the film's biggest strength. Joseph L. Garcia of BusinessWorld wrote, "By all standards, the film should have been predictable and unexciting. In the hands of Mr. De Leon, and especially Ms. Santos, the film reaches a higher standard."[11] Goldwin Reviews echoed this sentiment, stating, "Mahirap hindi kiligin sa pinaggagawa nina Vilma Santos at Christopher de Leon dito. Ang saya nilang panuorin."[12]
Accolades
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Picture | When I Met You in Tokyo | 4th Best Picture | [13] |
| Best Director | Rado Peru & Rommel Peneza | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | Christopher de Leon | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress | Vilma Santos-Recto | Won | |||
| Best Screenplay | Suzette Doctolero | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Shayne Sarte | Nominated | |||
| Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence | When I Met You In Tokyo | Won | |||
| Best Float | Won | ||||
| Gender Sensitivity Award | Nominated | ||||
| 2024 | Manila International Film Festival | Best Actress | Vilma Santos | Won | [14] |
| 2024 FAMAS Awards | Circle of Excellence | Won | [15] | ||
| 7th Eddy's | Best Actress | Nominated | [16] | ||
| Best Cinematography | Shayne Sarte | Nominated | |||
| Best Production Design | When I Met You in Tokyo | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound | When I Met You in Tokyo | Nominated | |||
| 40th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Star Award for Movie Actress of the Year | Vilma Santos | Won | [17] |
Gallery
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Severo, Jan Milo (October 17, 2023). "'Let's fall in love': Vilma Santos on cloud nine after 'When I Met You In Tokyo' makes MMFF 2023 list". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ a b c Requintina, Robert (October 13, 2023). "Vilma Santos-Recto and Christopher de Leon talk on-screen chemistry in 'When I Met You In Tokyo'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ Escuadro, Kiko (April 1, 2023). "Vilma Santos, may mga kundisyon para mapa-oo sa reunion movie nila ni Chistopher De Leon" [Vilma Santos, had conditions for a yes in her reunion movie with Chistopher De Leon]. PUSH (in Filipino). ABS-CBN. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ a b "Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon team up for 25th film, '". Malaya Business Insight. April 2, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ Severo, Jan Milo (November 6, 2023). "Christopher de Leon bares why he accepted 'When I Met You In Tokyo' directorial job". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ Mallorca, Hannah (April 3, 2023). "Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon off to Japan for reunion film 'When I Met You in Tokyo'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ Wang, Nickie (April 10, 2023). "Camera starts rolling in Tokyo for Vilma Santos-Christopher de Leon reunion movie". Manila Standard. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ "'Firefly' among six new films included in official 10-movie list of MMFF". GMA News. October 17, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ Cruz, Marinel (October 24, 2023). "Why Vilma Santos feels anxious about her MMFF entry 'When I Met You In Tokyo'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ "When I Met You in Tokyo (2023) Reviews". Kritikultura. kritikultura.com. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ Garcia, Joseph L. (December 29, 2023). "Metro Manila Film Festival 2023: Major talents lift tale of senior love". BusinessWorld. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "WHEN I MET YOU IN TOKYO". Goldwin Reviews. goldwinreviews.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Antonio, Josiah (December 27, 2023). "LIST: Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 winners". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ^ Uson, Melanie (February 3, 2024). "LIST: The 2024 Manila International Film Festival winners". Philstar Life.
- ^ Pagulong, Charmie Joy (May 28, 2024). "Kathryn, Piolo, Alfred lead winners at FAMAS 2024". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Fariñas, Ian (June 14, 2024). "SPEEd announces nominees for 7th EDDYS". Journal News. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Krishnan, Ganiel (July 22, 2024). "40th Star Awards for Movies celebrates decades of excellence in Philippine cinema". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved July 24, 2024.