From intimacy workshops to distribution by a global company, Under Parallel Skies is shaping up to be one of 2024’s biggest surprises.
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It felt like it was yesterday that we first heard rumors that Janella Salvador and Win Metawin were starring in a movie together. Now, we’re just a month away from Under Parallel Skies‘ official release in local cinemas on April 17 (fun fact, on April 17, 2022, Richard Juan, the movie’s executive producer, first met Win). The film, which serves as the debut film of 28 Squared Studios, aims to show the company’s mission to champion impactful content from Southeast Asia for the world to see.
As we get closer to the movie’s release, we’re learning more and more about the cross-country production. And from what we know so far, Under Parallel Skies might just be one of our favorites by the time 2024 comes to a close. Scroll down for a few facts on this production that has gotten us even more excited to watch it.
JANELLA SALVADOR AND WIN METAWIN WERE THE TOP CHOICES
The movie stars Thai actor Win Metawin and Filipino actress Janella Salvador and is directed by award-winning director Sigrid Bernardo. And while the road to landing on the lead stars took a while, it was a unanimous agreement that Win and Janella would be perfect for the lead roles. It was such an agreed-upon pairing that not only was Janella’s 28 Squared Studios’ top choice for the lead female role but so too was she for Win’s management. Going by the reaction to the teaser trailer, these two have definitely gotten people talking.
IT’S A LOVE STORY THAT LEANS INTO DEEPER THEMES
Under Parallel Skies tells the story of a Thai bachelor named Parin (Metawin) who travels to Hong Kong in search of his missing mother. He encounters a Filipino hotelier named Iris (Salvador) who helps him navigate love, heartbreak, and healing in the foreign city amid their differences in culture and identity. And while the love and kilig elements will be there, the producers stressed that the film will also delve into overcoming struggles, making by as an OFW, achieving personal goals, and forming bonds in the most unexpected of places. As Direk Sigrid puts it, “[The movie] is about the beauty of unexpected connections.”
WARNER BROS. PICTURES DECIDED TO DISTRIBUTE THE MOVIE AFTER WATCHING AN UNFINISHED CUT
28 Squared Studios is going big by having Warner Bros. Pictures distribute the film in the Philippines this April 17, as well as in Singapore starting May 1, and Thailand on May 9. This marks the second local film to be disturbed by WB since 2023’s Mallari (which also starred Janella). After 28 Squared Studios pitched the movie to Warner Bros. Pictures and viewed an unfinished cut, they knew they had a winner in their hands.
“There were some particular scenes in the movie that made me decide that yes I am going to recommend this film to my regional bosses,” shared Rico Gonzales, the Director of Distribution for Warner Bros. Philippines. A yes from WB’s headquarters in Burbank, California followed, which led to the movie’s distribution across Southeast Asia. “At Warner Bros, we believe in the power of stories and I knew for a fact that from what I saw, even though it was still the non-final version of the film, I knew there was something special about it.”
JANELLA HAD CHEMISTRY WORKSHOPS WITH WIN
Even before shooting began, Janella and Win put in the work to make sure their chemistry was strong when they stepped on the set. As such, Janella flew to Thailand to have three chemistry workshops with Win to build their energy and relationship for the movie. And, in a sign of their friendship, Win and his team invited Janella to dinner while she was in the country, even offering his van to take her back to her hotel after the dinner. We love to see it.
THE CAST AND CREW BROKE THE ICE EARLY IN PRODUCTION
This cross-country production not only features actors of different nationalities, but so too was the crew, which was mainly composed from the Philippines, Thailand, and Hong Kong. But despite the language barrier, it wasn’t hard for the cast and crew to break the ice and find a connection through their similarities. Early on in production, there were already efforts in place to make the cast and crew work smoothly. During the second day of shooting, the producers held a cast party to make sure there was no awkwardness. Win even brought food during the script reading as a way to lighten up the air.
THE MOVIE WILL SHOWCASE DIFFERENT SIDES OF HONG KONG
While Hong Kong in popular media has often been depicted as a fast-paced and business-heavy city, Under Parallel Skies looks to move away from those ideas. Shot in Hong Kong from June 2023 to July 2023 with the support of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the movie is in co-production with Two Infinity Entertainment of Hong Kong. While they did shoot in popular locations such as Kowloon City and Tai O, the film will also showcase the more laid-back side of the town and spots off the beaten path. It allows for a more diverse setting that goes beyond the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong.
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING FOR 28 SQUARED STUDIOS
With two A-list actors as leads, multiple countries involved in the production, and being distributed by one of the biggest film companies in the world, Under Parallel Skies is going for the big leagues. Having its world Premiere in Hong Kong on March 11 as one of the programs of the prestigious 17th Asian Film Awards proves as much. But this is just the start and a taste of what 28 Squared Studios has to offer.
Richard Juan, the Chief Executive Officer of 28 Squared Studios, and Kristhoff Cagape, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, have big plans for the company. The film serves as an opening salvo for a production house that aims to make cross-country projects and tell regional stories. It’s all in the service of helping lift local cinema and creatives to new heights. What they aim to create is not just for the Philippines, but the world. Already, they have their eyes on what’s next after Under Parallel Skies, with a sci-fi movie currently in the advanced production stage. They’re shaping up to be a production company to watch out for.
Continue Reading: 2024 Might Just Be The Year Of Unexpected Collaborations
