When actress-producer Sylvia Sanchez first asked filmmaker Alemberg Ang to find her a Cannes-worthy project, he thought she was joking. “She just looked at me and said, ‘Hanapan mo ako ng pelikula na pupunta sa Cannes.’” He smiled, nodded, and thought nothing more of it—until she followed up. Repeatedly.
Turns out, Sanchez wasn’t kidding. Fast forward a couple of years, and there they were—co-producers of “Renoir,” a Japanese coming-of-age drama that earned a coveted spot in the main competition of the 78th Cannes Film Festival.
Directed by “Plan 75’s” Chie Hayakawa, “Renoir” is the tender, telepathy-tinged tale of 11-year-old Fuki, navigating her family’s emotional wreckage in late-‘80s Japan. But behind this distinctly Japanese story is a truly international effort—with a proudly Filipino stamp on it.
The connection began when Ang, head of Daluyong Studios, introduced Sanchez, founder of Nathan Studios, to the “Renoir” team during their visit to Manila. Sanchez was already impressed by Hayakawa’s track record, but what clinched the deal was the vision: to bring the film to Cannes.
“They weren’t just talking big—they had a plan,” Sanchez said. “And Alem made sure I was part of it from script to set.”
This wasn’t a checkbook co-production. Sanchez and her team rolled up their sleeves: vetting scripts, flying to Japan, learning Japanese set culture (think: scheduled naps and soundless takes), and even hosting part of the shoot on a beach in Batangas—cleverly doubling for Santorini.
“Filipino talent doesn’t just belong—we compete,” said Ang. “This wasn’t charity. We were equals.”
Indeed, “Renoir’s” journey—from Tokyo to Cannes, with a scenic pitstop in the Philippines—showcases what happens when passion and partnership align. It’s also a victory for a new kind of Filipino producer: borderless, curious, and unafraid to take creative risks.
As Sanchez quipped, “Three years ago, I was just happy to walk the red carpet. Now, I’m part of the story.”
And with Nathan Studios eyeing more international ventures—and a family affair brewing with daughter Ria Atayde stepping in as co-executive producer—this looks less like a one-off and more like a movement.
