When asked if the story of Tagpuan is still relevant with the ongoing pandemic, director McArthur Alejandre shares a rather deep personal meaning of love and life.
“Ang pandemic ginawa tayong mas reflective sa buhay. Dahil sa pandemic na-assess natin ang maraming bagay na dati nating nakaliligtaan lamang. Mas naging introspective tayo, mas nag-value tayo ng mga mumunting bagay na dati’y tinataguan lang natin o ‘di natin pinapansin. Ang Tagpuan is a movie that is reflective. Ang Tagpuan goes inside. More than the external, it tries to assses a lot of things. Nung sa panahon ng pandemya, pagkatapos nating makakuha ng konting stability sa mga pangyayari, nagsimula tayong magtanong tungkol sa mga bagay bagay na mahalaga sa atin. Ire-relate ko ang Tagpuan doon ngayon; ang Tagpuan asks very basic questions na hindi natin tinatanong kapag masaya ang pag-ibig,” answers director Alejandre.
Tagpuan was shot in 3 locations – Manila, Hong Kong and New York, starring 3 of the most prominent actors today Alfred Vargas, Shaina Magdayao and Iza Calzado.
In a world where people wander all over the globe for survival and no home can any longer be called home, three rootless lonely souls try to connect.
Allan (Alfred Vargas) is a rich businessman who hides his empty life by being successful.
Tanya (Shaina Magdayao) is the product of rape by a Chinese with a Filipino domestic helper.
Agnes (Iza Calzado) is the ex-wife of Allan. She has struggled to make something out of herself in New York after leaving an oppressive relationship with Allan five years ago.
Soon their paths cross in New York. And there is a reckoning on how far one can hide the guilt of the past, and how far one can wear a mask to hide the pains of the present in the jungles of diaspora.
The film depicts not the ones we see usually on the big or small screen. It’s a sad story about love and about finding oneself.
Written by Ricky Lee and directed by McArthur Alejandre, Tagpuan is an official entry to the Metro manila Film Festival 2020. Streaming on Upstream.ph on December 25, 2020.