Viva is launching the career of Kim Molina as a lead star via Jowable, a film inspired by its young director’s short film that went viral in 2018. It follows the story of a “desirable” young woman who can’t find a boyfriend.
Posted on Vincentiments’ Facebook page in 2018, Jowable is a short film written and directed by Darryl Yap. Many people were able to relate to the character’s sentiments, and the video hit one million views overnight, and the Vincentiments page instantly hit 100,000 likes.
Darryl made two more short films for the Jowable series, before he turned it into a novel. The book was released last March this year, and was also an instant hit.
In the film version, Kim is Elsa, a 30-something No-Boyfriend-Since-Birth girl, who wishes for a love life and a boyfriend.
During the media conference for the Viva Films big screen project, the actress described her character as pretty, sexy and funny.
“Although her drinking habit gets out of control sometimes, she is not a bad catch at all. So what is wrong with her? She’s just single and can’t really find a life partner,” she said.
“The story follows the life of Elsa. She lives with her mother Liberty (Kakai Bautista), who changes boyfriend as often as she changes clothes. Her friend Karissa (Cai Cortez) is happily in love, too,” Kim added.
Despite being surrounded and supported by friends, Elsa still feels miserable and envious of every couple she sees. Finally, Lady Luck smiles upon her and she meets a guy, and the attraction is instantly mutual.
“So, the film wanted to ask: Is this the love she’s been waiting for all her life? Will this be the happiness she has been searching for, or will she find her happiness somewhere else? ” Kim continued.
Kim had her professional theatre debut in 2013 when she was included in the cast for Disney’s Tarzan. She then played the role of Frieda in Carrie the Musical, and Louise in the musical stage adaptation of the movie Ghost.
In 2014, Kim got her first lead role as Aileen in the hit Pinoy Musical Rak of Aegis, where she was awarded Best Actress in a Musical by Gawad Buhay. She is also an in-demand actress for television, playing noteworthy roles like Savannah in Kadenang Ginto, and Billet in The General’s Daughter.
In 2016, Kim got her first movie lead role in the hit film Camp Sawi, with Bela Padilla, Arci Munoz, Yassi Pressman, and Andi Eigenmann.
Apart from acting, Kim is also a singer, and she won Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist at the 2017 Awit Awards for her debut single “Naluluha Ako” under VIVA Records.
For Jowable, Kim also performed the movie’s official soundtrack, with the same title. Only a day after the music video’s release, it already reached over 60,000 views.
Originally a theatre writer and director, Darryl only started making short films in 2017. His first short film Squatterina was screened at the North Luzon Film Festival, where he became the first to win the Best Director award. Squatterina was also chosen as the Philippine delegate for the Formosa Festival of International Filmmaker Awards in Taiwan, and it is now recognized as one of the 10 Best Short Films of National Commission for Culture and the Arts | Cinema Rehiyo for the 1st 10 years. Other award-winning short films by Darryl are Oyayi, Bago ako Lumipad, and Ellipsis.
From short film, to a novel, now Darryl makes his first full-length film debut with Jowable. Kim, on the other hand previously worked with Darryl for the short film BossaBoss, a part of Vincentiments’ Kung Pwede Lang series.
Audiences will be in for a roller coaster of emotions as Darryl Yap explores further into the life, misery, despair, hope and happiness of a Jowable in this full-length movie.
Find out who, what and where Elsa will find her happiness when Jowable unspools in cinemas nationwide on Sept. 25.