‘Patawid’ director Jade Castro prioritizes audience access over box-office success

Jade Castro says “Patawid” isn’t chasing box office hits, but aims for wider access, emotional reach in SM Cinemas release.

Director Jade Castro is not chasing blockbuster numbers for his latest film, “Patawid,” but something far more grounded: access.

“Expectations? Personally, I’m not expecting a blockbuster,” Castro told reporters during the premiere night at the SM Aura on Monday night. 

“But that’s exactly why we’re here. We want to reach audiences who might benefit from seeing it. Sometimes cinema feels expensive or out of reach—but a film can surprise you. I hope people get to experience it fully in the cinema.”

The film, which carries the English title “All the Things I Leave You,” opens in SM Cinemas nationwide on June 17.

Set in contemporary Ilocos and layered with memories of the 1940s, the story follows Jorge (Benedix Ramos), a privileged but drifting young man, and Kiko (Justin Paul Basobas), a practical newcomer working for Jorge’s grandfather. 

When a sudden death in the family leads them to a hidden cigar box of unsent letters and photographs, they uncover a long-buried love story that reshapes everything they thought they knew about legacy, silence, and desire.

Producer Alemberg Ang said the exclusive run with SM Cinemas was a strategic decision aimed at wider reach, especially for audiences in Ilocano-speaking regions. “SM offered exclusivity, and we’re happy to partner with them. This helps the film reach more people, especially in areas like Ilocos where SM has cinemas,” he shared.

Castro adds that the English title reflects the film’s emotional core: connections that persist even in separation, and the many forms love can take. At its heart, “Patawid” isn’t trying to be a box-office giant. It’s trying to be seen.

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