The quiet power of ‘Spring in Prague’

There is a lot of charm, feels and honest-to- goodness storytelling and a fine romance present in Spring in Prague (showing in cinemas starting 4 February), directed by Lester Dimaranan, written by Eric Ramos and produced by Attorney Ferdinand Topacio of Borracho Film Production. This film is truly a stellar cinematic gift to the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Czech Republic.

Seasons of love

The story of Spring in Prague centers on the cross-cultural romance between a Filipino resort owner Alfie (Paolo Gumabao) and a Czech maiden Marusca (Sara Sandeva) that happens during summer — the time when the romance between the two started, bloomed and happened. 

In winter,  Alfie and Marusca’s  feelings and commitment to their relationship was put to a test, and in spring, the season of resolutions and resolve happens. It is a time that celebrates why hope is eternal and that indeed, true love conquers all.

Ramos’ script, which was essentially a “you and me against the world” trope interspersed with a “lost in translation” kind of adaptation from paper to screen by Dimaranan, can be best described as gentle, intelligent and sensitively converted for the silverscreen, making it definitely the film’s major strength. 

High appreciation is given to the absence of overtly cute meeting moments and mushy scenes to generate feels, yet these still work. “Nada” on excessive music scores during important scenes and high praises are given that the scenes never reached melodramatic levels, thus, the actors delivered the ache and hurt with core potency, and when the sweet and good stuff happen, nothing came as artificial and cringy. And most importantly, there are no irritating product placements that were necessary ingredients in other Filipino romantic dramas. 

Commendable as well was the manner they were able to weave the “serious stuff” like history, politics and religiosity, seamlessly and that they did became a source of alienation.  

It was refreshing to see Gumabao as a romantic leading man. He nailed being and becoming Alfie because he gave his character the right dose of credibility, charm and sincerity. The camera was able to capture the handsomeness of Gumabao. Even when burst into tears in an essential scene, he even became better looking. 

The fact that he shared great on-screen chemistry with Sandeva was a plus. Every time Gumabao and Sandeva were together, something beautiful and magical came about. The Czech actress was easy on the eyes and gave an earnest quality to her portrayal of Marusca.

Kudos as well to Kheanna Reyes, who played the half-sister of Gumabao’s character; to Marco Gomez, as Diego, Alfie’s best friend; Elena Kozlova (Estrella, best girl friend of Marusca) and Nhorms Macleod, who acted as the leading lady’s father. Their presence in the movie was not decorative as they were believable in showing the genuine connection and relationship they shared with the protagonists. 

And, Paolo Emmanuel Magsino, the director of photography, must be praised for being able to capture the warmth and the vibe of the la isla bonito (small island) that is Puerto Galera and the old-world enchantment and splendor of Prague. Because of Magsino’s cinematic eye, the locations here were not just backdrops but were transformed as important elements of the film’s narrative.

Spring in Prague is not the usual kind of romantic movie manufactured by big production outfits because it offers more than the ordinary cutey and kilig motion picture showcase. It feeds the mind, stirs the soul and leaves a bright mark on the many wonders of love between people of different backgrounds and cultures.