Why direk Chris enjoys working with Regal Films

MANILA, Philippines - Regal matriarch Lily Monteverde thoroughly enjoys working with creative minds.

Through the years, she has worked side by side with the country’s finest filmmakers from Elwood Perez to Mike de Leon, from Maryo J. de los Reyes to Joel Lamangan, from Lino Brocka to Ishmael Bernal.

She counts the late direk Ishmael as among the most exciting filmmakers to collaborate with. “He comes up with the most interesting concepts and ideas.”

The late National Artist for Film made a number of successful dramatic movies for Regal, from Relasyon (1982) to Pahiram ng Isang Umaga (1989) and his last film Wating (1994), but he also made uproarious comedy flicks for the studio, foremost of which was the camp classic Salawahan in 1979.

As tribute to her dear friend Ishmael who passed away in 1996, Mother Lily thought of remaking Salawahan, giving it a fresh spin for the Twitter and Facebook generation with the help of director Chris Martinez.

Under Chris’ eagle eye, Salawahan is reinvented as Status: It’s Complicated, a humorous and honest look at modern romance.

The remake of Joey Gosiengfiao’s Temptation Island was also directed by direk Chris and was a big hit for the studio in 2011.

“I am confident that Chris will treat these Regal screen gems with devotion,” Mother Lily said. “Chris grew up watching these films. He loved the movies produced by Regal.”

Chris recounted: “After I directed Temptation Island, there were a lot of suggestions for me to do other remakes. As early as then, I already wanted to do Salawahan.”

Chris adored the Ishmael Bernal classic. “It reminded me of Mike Nichols’ Carnal Knowledge and recently of Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s Crazy, Stupid, Love. I like Bernal’s brand of comedy. It’s my kind of humor: Contemporary, irreverent, naughty. And a bit subversive at times.”

Mother Lily agreed with Chris who saw in Ishmael’s films, complex yet insightful “human” stories of love and loss, passion and perseverance.

“At the heart of the story is love,” Chris explained. “Finding the right person to settle down with. Finding the right partner to spend the rest of your life with.”

Mother Lily agreed: “Bernal talked about things that everyone could relate to . . . His ideas about romance and relationships are timeless. It’s because his movies are always based on truth.”

Chris said that he enjoys working with Regal.

“Status: It’s Complicated is my fourth project with Regal. I wouldn’t keep coming back if I am not happy,” Chris explained. “They know that I have very exacting demands when it comes to production requirements and they always make sure that I get everything that I want and need. Mother Lily and her daughter Roselle Monteverde are very supportive. They understand me.”

Mother Lily said that she has always believed in giving her directors complete creative control. “From the time of Bernal until now, I’ve always given directors free rein.”

But that doesn’t mean Mother Lily would take things easy.

She is still a creative force in the industry and enjoys collaborating closely with other brilliant minds.

“She is very hands-on as a producer,” said Chris. “I am touched whenever she visits the set and sits beside me in front of the monitor. And she stays until three in the morning. She’s a trouper!”

Status: It’s Complicated opens Nov. 6.