Filipino co-produced 'Renoir' continues to be celebrated

Sylvia Sanchez and Alemberg Ang

After competing for the Palme d'Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, "Renoir" will be released in Japan on June 20, before its participation at QCinema International Film Festival in November.

While the movie doesn't have a Filipino in the cast, it is co-produced by the Philippines' Nathan Studios and Daluyong Studios with Japan’s Happinet Studios, France’s Ici et Là Productions, Singapore’s Akanga Film Asia and Indonesia’s Kawan Kawan Media.

This is the reason Nathan Studios CEO, the celebrated Filipino actress Sylvia Sanchez, puts "Renoir" under the Pinoy Pride umbrella.

“Hindi nga ito Pinoy film, hindi nga cast Pilipino, but still Filipino producer, part ang Pinoy dito. naghirap din ang Pinoy dito." she underscored to media as quoted by Tatak MNL. "Who knows, next time pag nag-red carpet kami (ay) Pinoy na talaga lahat…"

"Renoir" is described as a Japanese coming-of-age art film that's why its showing in the Land of the Rising is considered some sort of homecoming.

Sylvia Sanchez with husband Art Atayde in Cannes

But then again, so with its participation at QCinema.

"Hindi kami yung producer na nagbigay lang ng pera doon," Sanchez said of their hands-on and collaborative approach to co-producing the movie with Daluyong Studios' Alemberg Ang.

"Pumunta kaming dalawa ng one week sa Japan para mag-shooting doon," the actress continued, as quoted vy Cinema Bravo. "So, kasama kami. Like yung script from the start, o, sinend sa amin, okay na ba sa inyo ‘to? Yung gano’n. ‘Meron ba kayong gustong i-add o meron ba kayong question?’…”

Yui Suzuki in a scene from 'Renoir'

Asked about experiencing the international way of filmmaking, Sanchez gave thoughtful response.

"Very strict sila sa time. And then also, meron silang ginagawa na maraming takes. Pero yung ibang takes… kikilos lang yung artista, walang dialogue, para lang sa sound effects. Tapos, uulitin ulit for other—basta, ang daming steps na ginagawa. Sobrang linis!”

The movie is about an 11-year-old girl whose father has terminal illness so the mother suffers great emotional stress. The daughter  eventually finds a way to cope on her own.

Directed by acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Chie Hayakawa, "Renoir" stars Yui Suzuki, Hikari Ishida and Lily Franky.

In English, "Renoir" primarily refers to Pierre-Auguste Renoir, a renowned French Impressionist painter.