Love Child (2024 film)
{{use mdy|date=September 2024}}
{{no plot|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Love Child
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| director = Jonathan Jurilla
| producer = Arden Rod Condez
| screenplay ={{ubl|
- Arden Rod Condez
- Arianna Martinez
- Angel Benjamin
}}
| story=Jonathan Jurilla
| writer =
| starring = {{ubl|
- RK Bagatsing
- Jane Oineza
- John Tyrron Ramos
}}
| music =
| cinematography = Rommel Sales
| editing = John Paul Ponce
| distributor =
| studio =Regal Entertainment
Southern Lantern Studios
| released = {{Film date|2024|08|2|Cinemalaya}}
| runtime = 100 minutes
| country = Philippines
| language =
}}
Love Child is a 2024 Philippine drama film starring RK Bagatsing, Jane Oineza, and John Tyrron Ramos which was directed by Jonathan Jurilla. It about a young couple who would learn that their son has autism.{{cite web |title=LOVE CHILD |url=https://cinemalaya.org/love-child/ |website=Cinemalaya |access-date=4 September 2024}}
Cast
- RK Bagatsing as Paolo
- Jane Oineza as Ayla
- John Tyrron Ramos as Kali, Paolo and Ayla's autistic son
- Milton Dionzon as Manong Boni
- Mai Montelibano as the SPED Principal
- Jaden Biel Fernandez as Milo
- Chart Motus as Milo's grandmother
- Jing Torrecampo as a hospital patient's mom
- Mary Jane Quilisadio as Manang Maring
- Mandy Alimon as Hospital Doctor
- Tey Sevilleno as Nanay Marites
Production
Love Child is a co-production of Regal Entertainment with Southern Lantern Studios.{{cite news |last1=Saltero |first1=Leah |title=Cinemalaya film tackles challenges in raising a 'love child' - Journalnews |url=https://journalnews.com.ph/cinemalaya-film-tackles-challenges-in-raising-a-love-child/#gsc.tab=0 |access-date=4 September 2024 |work=Journal Online |date=7 August 2024}} It was directed and written by Jonathan Jurilla. This is Jurilla's directorial debut.{{cite news |last1=Altajeros |first1=Andre |title=Negrense film director debuts film, local talents featured |url=https://visayandailystar.com/negrense-film-director-debuts-film-local-talents-featured/ |access-date=4 September 2024 |work=Visayan Daily Star |date=2 September 2024}} It was produced by Sonny Calvento and Arden Rod Condez, with Calvento as the screenwriter.{{cite news |last1=Mallorca |first1=Hannah |title='Love Child' is also a love letter to parents, director and producers say |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/574877/love-child-is-also-a-love-letter-to-parents-director-and-producers-say |access-date=4 September 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=4 September 2024 |language=en}}
The film was based on Jurilla's own experience on being a father of a son with autism spectrum disorder. It deviates from the usual trope of portraying autistic people as savant who discovers and untapped talent or a film which ends in a "happy ending" according to the director. It depicts the challenges of an autistic child and his family living in Filipino society.{{cite news |last1=Pagulong |first1=Charmie Joy |title=Cinemalaya 2024 director dedicates 'Love Child' to son on autism spectrum |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2024/08/03/2374976/cinemalaya-2024-director-dedicates-love-child-son-autism-spectrum |access-date=4 September 2024 |work=The Philippine Star |date=3 August 2024}}
Principal photography for Love Child took place in Jurilla's home province of Negros Occidental particularly in Bacolod, Silay and Talisay.
The parents in the film were depicted by romantic couple Jane Oineza and RK Bagatsing who have described their experience in acting in the film as a "free trial" to parenthood.{{cite news |last1=Mallorca |first1=Hannah |title=Jane Oineza, RK Bagatsing consider film 'Love Child' as '15-day free trial' |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/566950/jane-oineza-rk-bagatsing-consider-film-love-child-as-15-day-free-trial |access-date=4 September 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=18 July 2024 |language=en}}
Release
Love Child is an entry for the 20th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival which ran from August 2 to 11, 2024 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.{{cite news |last1=Cerezo |first1=Anna |title=For Jane Oineza and RK Bagatsing, Cinemalaya entry like a trial for parenthood |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/7/10/for-jane-oineza-and-rk-bagatsing-cinemalaya-entry-like-a-trial-for-parenthood-1743 |access-date=4 September 2024 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=10 July 2024}}