You could hear a pin drop in Bwaya screening in Tokyo

Questions raced in “Bwaya” executive producer RS Francisco’s mind as he waited for even one reaction from the Japanese audience who watched the true-to-life drama shot in the Agusan marshland at the prestigious Tokyo FILMeX Film Festival.

For RS, who is used to pats on the back as a performer and as the driving force (besides director Francix Xavier Pasion, line producer Sarah Paglicawan, fellow executive producer Samuel Versoza and actors Angeli Bayani and Karl Medina) behind “Bwaya” (which won four awards, including Best Film at Cinemalaya X), the silent reaction was deafening.

Japanese culture

“Sanay kami sa Pilipinas na kapag pinanood ang Bwaya, 'pag exciting ang scene nag-gasp ang audience. When Angeli came face to face with the crocodile, nag-gasp yung (Filipino) audience.”

So when it was so quiet he could hear a pin drop when that crucial scene was shown, RS couldn’t take it anymore.

He approached the Japanese guy in the theater and confessed his fears.

“I think the Japanese doesn’t like our film,” RS said.

That’s when the other guy briefed RS on the nuances of Japanese culture. Silence, the Japanese says, is a sign that they appreciate your film. They want to watch it intently.

Roar of approval

True enough, the Filipino contingent heard the audience’s roar of approval after the closing credits rolled and the lights went on.

“Narinig namin ang hiyawan at palakpakan. Doon ko na-realize na cultural (pala) yon,” RS recalls.

Angeli knew about this Japanese trait and was just keeping the excitement to herself. But she and co-star Karl Medina never expected they’ll go home with the Grand Prize that night.

“Tightly curated ang entries. Yung iba, nanalo  sa ibang festivals like Cannes. Para kang dumaan sa butas ng karayom.”

Karl adds, “At that time, we were sure na may social relevance ang content (ng film), pero hindi pa kami nakaproject as far as the international stage.”

Deeply spiritual

Audience feedback at the screening, however, was inspiring.

“They felt that the film was deeply spiritual. It struck a chord to them kasi sabi ng isa malaking tulong ang music. May nakapansin pa na Hapon who studies anthropology na yung music was not pre-recorded. Maraming nagtanong tungkol sa cinematography. Hindi sila makapaniwala na may ganoon sa Pilipinas,” says Angeli.

Questions about logistics and even crocodiles also impressed Angeli.

“Ang tatalino nila (the audience)!”

After the thrill over the award has died, Angeli can only think of what “Bwaya” has taught her.

“We were taken out of our comfort zone. Pagpunta namin doon, feeling namin important kami. But when you go to a place like that, you get to know how small you are in the grand scheme of things. When nature starts to take its course, you can be the president or a janitor but you mean nothing.”

Now that Typhoon Ruby is upon us, we, too, can learn a lot from that humbling experience.