MAVX producer makes directorial debut with ‘Buddy’

MANILA, Philippines — MAVX Productions president and CEO Erwin “Lucky” Blanco never really planned on becoming a film director. But after years of producing movies, he decided to try his hand at directing, partly out of frustration with how some of his previous projects turned out.

His directorial debut comes in the form of the family-oriented comedy-drama “Buddy,” which opens in Philippine cinemas tomorrow, Nov. 4.

“Wala kasi talaga akong plano mag-direct,” Lucky admitted in a recent interview with The STAR.

Though declining to identify the films whose final execution didn’t meet expectations, he said the experience prompted him to find out firsthand what directing really entails.

“So parang, I had to check it personally para malaman ko kung anong problema talaga. So, it’s more of… out of frustration, out of need.”

According to him, directing also became an opportunity to better understand the challenges faced by the filmmakers he works with. “And kahit papaano, mas mapaganda pa namin yung production services namin to the directors that we hire,” he added.

Fortunately, his first time in the director’s chair turned out to be relatively smooth, thanks largely to the veteran and award-winning actors he assembled for “Buddy.” The film stars Michael de Mesa, Benjie Paras, EA Guzman, Elisse Joson, Elijah Canlas, Empoy Marquez and Shaira Diaz.

Set against the backdrop of Finland, “Buddy” follows Jojo (Michael), a retired seaman and widower who travels to Helsinki with his best friend Ben (Benjie) to reunite with his children (EA, Elisse and Elijah) after years of working away from home.

What awaits him, however, is the realization that despite the sacrifices he made for his family, his children have grown emotionally distant from him and, in fact, are closer to his longtime buddy, their ninong Ben. Jojo’s attempts to reconnect with them bring to surface buried feelings of resentment and personal struggles.

“Buddy” rolls into cinemas nationwide tomorrow, Nov. 4.

Michael is Jojo, a retired seaman and widowed father who tries to reconnect with his adult children, who have also become OFWs in Finland.

Not star power only

Lucky credited his seasoned cast for making his directorial foray easier than he had expected. “Parang 60 percent ng trabaho ko tapos na,” he said. “You can ask the actors, andami po namin na one take lang.”

Asked whether he considered himself a producer’s director or an actor’s director, the producer said the cast regarded him as the latter.

“Sabi po nung mga actors ko, ano daw po ako, ‘actor’s director,’” he shared, explaining that he relied on his cinematographer and production designer for their respective areas of expertise, while concentrating on getting the performances he wanted from his actors.

“The delivery of the lines, the facial expressions, yung nuance,” he said.

He also welcomed the actors’ suggestions and interpretations of their respective characters. “Nakakapag-collaborate kami. So in short, dumadali yung trabaho namin lahat. And we can honestly say, na pelikula namin ito lahat.”

When it came to casting choices, he said that it’s MAVX’s “philosophy” to prioritize an actor’s suitability for a role and acting ability rather than star power alone.

“Because at the end of the day, malaki na rin naman yung audience that’s story-based,” Lucky said. “And para mabigyan din ng opportunity yung mga artista na parang hindi masyadong nabibigyan ng opportunity ng mga malalaking studio.”

An actor’s personal issues or past controversies don’t figure into the casting equation either, according to Lucky, who frequently works with the same actors or directors in his projects.

Like Elijah, whom MAVX had worked with previously in the comedy “HBD2me,” Lucky said the young actor was able to maintain a cheerful atmosphere on the set despite questions about his love life at the time.

“Hindi namin naramdaman kasi parang we were very happy nung shoot namin,” he said.

Benjie Paras (center) as Ben, the best buddy of Jojo and godfather to the latter’s children.

Why not MMFF?

After watching “Buddy” at an advance screening, one wouldn’t be surprised if it were described as a quintessential Filipino family film. It tackles very relatable problems faced by many OFW families today, while offering a resolution that seems fitting for its setting, the “world’s happiest country” Finland.

The film mixes heavy drama with comedy, with Empoy and Benjie providing most of the comic relief and obvious adlibs, alongside the more emotional turns of the rest of the cast. One hospital scene, in particular, brings these elements together, drawing both tears and laughs from the audience.

There were questions why MAVX didn’t submit “Buddy” to this year’s MMFF. Although the film had undergone small-group test screenings, Lucky admitted he was initially unsure how much weight to give the feedback, considering he was both the director and head of the production outfit.

“Syempre as a director, minsan (you’d think) baka biased lang. So parang, alam mo yun? Baka binobola ka lang or what,” he candidly remarked.

So, they decided to proceed with their own theatrical release rather than compete at the festival. Nevertheless, after seeing himself how people responded during the special screening, he felt relieved. It also left him some regret. “Siguro mas nakakapagsisi lang ngayon kasi narinig ko na yung mga reaction,” he quipped.

Finland Premiere

Apart from its local release, “Buddy” is set to hold a premiere in Finland on Dec. 12 and 13. Lucky said screenings were being coordinated with the embassy, adding that Filipino workers and residents there don’t get enough opportunities to enjoy Philippine entertainment.

“We have 17,000 Filipinos there,” he pointed out. “It’s our own little way in making our OFW happy naman… Bigyan natin sila ng kahit two hours of happiness.”

As for whether he intends to continue directing after “Buddy,” Lucky said he loved the experience but has to balance it with the demands of running MAVX, which is hoping to produce 10 films next year.

He might helm selected projects, such as an upcoming film starring Alden Richards that Lucky himself conceptualized. The project, which is expected to be filmed partly in Japan, is tentatively scheduled to begin shooting in March 2027. It also follows MAVX Productions’ tradition of filming overseas, with previous works including “A Journey” in Tasmania, Australia, “Unravel: A Swiss Side Love Story” in Switzerland and “A Faraway Land” in the Faroe Islands.