It was probably Antoinette Jadaone’s That Thing Called Tadhana and the then unpopular film Train to Busan the last films that weren’t expected to become big because of their anonymity but because of good word of mouth online and passed through from friends to friends or relatives, they’ve become a box-office hit.
Today, Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s Kita Kita starring the unusual tandem of Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy Marquez is getting that same fate. Getting rave reviews from critics and audience for its ability to entertain and move its viewers.
With just the July 23 screening alone, the film grossed P25 million, and as per its producer Erickson Raymundo, the film already earned P90 million on its first week.
“Kita Kita grossed 90M on its first week!! Nakakaiyak, nakakatuwa, nakakagulat ang nararamdaman namin ngayon katulad ng naramdaman ng mga nanood na ng Kita Kita. Thank you Lord for our director and screenwriter Sigrid Bernardo who created the characters of Lea and Tonyo, and masterfully weaved together different emotions to a seamless love story. To Sir Boy Y, our respected director of photography for agreeing to do this movie despite our limited budget. To every person involved in the production, our staff and crew, saludo kami sa inyo at maraming salamat. To our distributor and partner, Viva Films, thanks for agreeing to partner with us even at the last minute. To every show (TV, radio, online) that helped us promote our movie, salamat po. To the press and bloggers, thank you for spreading the news about our movie. To our promo team who happen to be my team in Cornerstone, you are the best. To the theater owners, thank you for still giving us 120 cinemas on our 2nd week. To Jonathan Manalo and KZ Tandingan for the beautiful arrangement and rendition of our themsesong that’s even trending now. And to Alessandra and Empoy, you deserve all the accolades you are receiving now. Alessandra, you’ve always been a competent and reliable actress. I am just glad that a bigger audience saw how great and beautiful you are. Empoy, you’re not just funny but a real good actor. You both shine in this movie. To those who watched Kita Kita, thank you for allowing us to share our dream to make movies that will touch your hearts. And to our producer, Lucky Blanco, who started it all, for introducing Sigrid to us and for pushing us to try a new team up, thank you. And finally our Lord Jesus Christ, we acknowledge that every good thing comes from you. We take nothing but give back all praises and glory to You. May You be honored in everything that we do. From my co-producers in Spring Films, Maraming Salamat Po! #kitakita“
Check out his Facebook post here:
The film is also expected to be released international as per its announcement through its Facebook page.
Kita Kita is still showing in cinemas nationwide from Spring Films, distributed by VIVA Films. Rated PG by the MTRCB.
Please advise when the movie will be shown in Papua New Guinea, where there is a huge Filipino population.