After their successful collaboration in Expensive Candy in 2022, Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino are back together in the highly anticipated romantic film Hold Me Close, which is an official entry to the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
Hold Me Close, a romance-drama masterpiece filmed in Japan, is written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, the creative force behind beloved films such as ‘100 Tula Para Kay Stella’ and ‘Just A Stranger’. The film is set to hit theaters nationwide on December 25, under Viva Films, and is expected to captivate audiences with its heartfelt story.
During a brief interview following the movie’s press conference on November 22 at Le Rêve in Quezon City, Julia Barretto and director Jason Paul Laxamana shared their excitement and gratitude for the film’s inclusion in the 2024 MMFF lineup.
Julia Barretto expressed her emotions, she said, “We’re just so grateful. Super overwhelmed when they announced our film is part of this, I can’t— you know what, I remember… tulala talaga ako mga 3 hours. Grabe, hindi namin ‘to in-expect. We didn’t talk about it at all while filming. We were just enjoying creating the story.”
Director Jason Paul Laxamana echoed Julia’s sentiments.
“Unlike the other entries, we didn’t make the film for MMFF. So parang, hindi namin alam kung kailan yung showing, o kung kailan ba pwedeng ipalabas. We’re just really grateful and privileged na ma-access yung possible audience ng MMFF.”
When asked about the possibility of the film achieving box office success or winning awards, Jason Paul Laxamana shared a humble perspective.
“Wala. I mean, it would be nice to have both pero ako kasi parang those are things beyond my control. So, I don’t really think about it. If the universe ipagkakaloob sa amin yung award o yung box office result, thank you. Pero ako as an artist, ang joy ko lang talaga ay nando’n sa yung nagawa namin yung pelikula.”
Julia Barretto also echoed a similar sentiment.
“I think, I’m the same with Direk. Feeling ko yung headspace ko ngayon is not focused on that. But if we will be blessed with it, we will be so so grateful. But right now, I think we’re just really hoping that people also choose to watch our movie alongside, of course, the other films… because maganda talaga yung kwento and maganda yung lesson na ipinaparating ng pelikula. Sana it will touch and teach.”
In the film, Carlo Aquino plays the role of Woody, a wandering soul who has spent seven years searching for a place to call home, eventually arriving in Karatsu, Saga, Japan. There, he meets Lynlyn, portrayed by Julia Barretto, a charismatic yet secretive squid vendor with the ability to sense whether a person will bring joy or pain into her life through touch. Initially, Woody registers as neutral to her, allowing their connection to grow, but when he suddenly registers as negative, Lynlyn believes he will bring her pain and distances herself.
But Woody is out to prove Lynlyn wrong. Can his persistence change her mind despite the warnings of fate? Does the heart truly know better than destiny? Find out if Lynlyn and Woody can defy what seems to be written in the stars.
Hold Me Close is sure to be a standout film in the 2024 MMFF, as it brings together the star power of Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino, along with the creative direction of Jason Paul Laxamana. With its touching story and powerful performances, the film is poised to leave a lasting impact on audiences this holiday season.
TATAK MNL 
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