‘I Love You Hater’ shows value of forgiveness
Is it possible to love someone you hate?
The generational movie “I Love You Hater” from Star Cinema tries to answer this question in the contemporary romance-comedy that enumerates the many ways plus the reasons why the film is the next big one to love this year.
One, the movie brings together one of Philippine entertainment’s biggest loveteams JoshLia that combines respected young actor Joshua Garcia and one of Philippine cinema’s loveliest faces Julia Barretto in a story that presents them in a fresh light – two young professionals Joko and Zoey fighting for the same role, borne out of their individual motivations and goals.
Director Giselle Andres shared that there was really an attempt from ABS-CBN’s film production and distribution unit’s team to deviate from what the love team has already delivered on screen, including the iflix-featured movie “Love You to the Stars and Back.”
“When we were coming up with a concept, we had a hard time because they were already established. We challenged ourselves to come up with a concept that will show a different side of them,” Andres said.
Two, “I Love You Hater” marks the big screen comeback of Queen of All Media Kris Aquino in a role as online media mogul Sasha, who pits Julia and Joshua in the former’s hive, and tests which assistant is really the best for her.
Andres said that while the creative team wanted a different material for JoshLia, they only had one actress in mind for the role of the lady boss.
The director who worked as an Assistant Director to most of movie legend director Olivia Lamasan’s films for the past eight years, said, “When we were coming up with a concept, we needed a major character to set the arena for JoshLia and we couldn’t think of anyone else but Kris Aquino. Initially, I thought she may not accept the project but when she agreed, I became so nervous because she is Kris Aquino. To my pleasant surprise, I didn’t have any problems at all.”
Three, the movie tackles the journey of the young generation who tries to continuously prove their worth in this age when most people project their best, especially on social media and the truth becomes enmeshed within it all.
At the end of the day, what the story teaches young and mature audiences is that while one can hate someone based on what is out there, he or she can learn to love as much.
In the words of Kris, forgiveness is the answer. “Forgiveness is a gift and it’s not about the person saying sorry or because that person loved. Forgiveness comes because you are giving yourself the gift of forgiveness especially for the person you love and loved.”
Four, “I Love You Hater” is from the creative minds of director Andres who was also behind the hit “Loving in Tandem,” writers Rona Co of the “A Love to Last” fame and Kristine Gabriel, head writer behind the breakthrough film “My Perfect You.”
Currently showing in Philippine cinemas, “I Love You Hater” will also be screened July 19 in Brunei and Papua New Guinea; July 20 in the US, Canada, and Saipan; July 21 and 28 in Thailand; and July 26 in Australia and New Zealand via TFC@theMovies.