It was revealed that the viral Instagram chat between John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo was an experimental movie. @beaalonzo
MANILA -- The Instagram Live chat between John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo, which went viral and reignited hopes the two might finally turn reel into real, has been revealed as an experimental movie, directed by Antoinette Jadaone.
Titled "Love Team," it is part of an initiative called "The Unconfined Cinema," which was founded on the idea of "exploring what else cinema could be, freeing our stories to be told outside the traditional spaces" ..."in a time when movie production is impossible."
Jadaone, along with producers that include famous movie critic Phil Dy, set out to create a love story told entirely within Instagram.
It was explained: "Love stories have always had their place in Filipino cinema, and we wanted to bring the feelings that those movies inspire to a platform that has become more relevant and utilised in this time of quarantine – social media, specifically Instagram."
"The use of social media creates all sorts of new possibilities for storytelling. This was a story told over two weeks, adapting and evolving to real-life events, integrating our genuine sentiments over the state that we’re in."
"This is a platform where we all share little bits of ourselves. Through our images, this curated list of memories, we reveal what it is we want the rest of the world to see.
"Using the various features of Instagram, we attempted to tell a story of two people reconnecting in a trying time; separated by distance, but united in their memories.
"We are in a culture where the usually distinct line between reality and make-believe blur. We started this story by stating that 'any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is intentional.' And that remains true. It was the only way this was possible.
"The Unconfined Cinema invites filmmakers and artists to join us in exploring the possibilities of our cinema. Not just on Instagram, but on every stage imaginable."
The movie saw Cruz and Alonzo reminisce about their pairing; exchange memorable lines from their past projects as a love team; and mull over whether they are still aware of their real selves.
It also featured Cruz serenading Alonzo; him introducing his child to the public for the first time; and the actor getting candid about his fears of raising a child in a world that is grappling and will continue to grapple with the implications of the coronavirus pandemic.