From birthday to breakthrough

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There's something to be said about celebrating milestones on your birthday, and for actress and producer Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde, there's no greater gift than seeing her homegrown company, Nathan Studios, grace the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival — for the third year in a row, no less.

At the Cannes premiere of ‘Renoir,’ producers and cast members gather for a celebratory photo: The Ataydes of Nathan Studios, lead actress Yui Suzuki, Filipino producer Alemberg Ang of Daluyong Studios, actors Lily Franky and Hikari Ishida, and Japanese co-producer Eiko Mizuno Gray of Loaded Films.

This time, the occasion was even more monumental. Nathan Studios was among the international collaborators in attendance behind the Japanese art film "Renoir," directed by acclaimed filmmaker Chie Hayakawa ("Plan 75"), which has entered the coveted main competition slate at Cannes 2025.

"I'm still in disbelief and absolutely ecstatic," Sylvia said from Cannes, where the film screened over the weekend. "When we were starting out with Nathan Studios, this was only something we dreamt of and aimed for — and now, it is finally here. All the hard work, determination, belief, and prayers have borne fruit!"

Wearing her producer’s hat, Sanchez-Atayde strikes a pose and shares a laugh with the film’s lead actress Yui Suzuki.

"Renoir" is a poignant coming-of-age tale centered on 11-year-old Fuki, played by newcomer Yui Suzuki. As her father battles a terminal illness and her mother buckles under the weight of caregiving, Fuki turns to fantasy and telepathy to cope with the emotional turbulence at home. The film — a poetic meditation on childhood, grief, and escapism — is set in 1980s Japan and quietly unfurls through impressionistic visuals and subtle emotional beats.

Actress-producer Sylvia Sanchez and her businessman husband Art Atayde beam with pride as they mark another milestone for Nathan Studios. PHOTOS FROM NATHAN STUDIOS

Nathan Studios' involvement marks a continued ascent into international territory. Co-produced with Japan's Happinet Studios, France's Ici et Là Productions, Singapore's Akanga Film Asia, Indonesia's Kawankawan Media, and the Philippines' Daluyong Studios, the film also has its international sales handled by Goodfellas.

Sanchez-Atayde stands proudly among producers Eiko Mizuno Gray, Jason Gray, Christophe Bruncher, Yulia Evina Bhara, and Alemberg Ang.

"This international collaboration creates a massive positive impact on the Filipino film industry. It gives a lot of hope to Filipino film producers to go to the global market — especially here in Cannes," Sylvia furthered in a statement sent to The Manila Times. Entertainment.

"Malaking impact ito. The mere fact na three years pa lang kami nagpupunta sa Cannes as a producer, isa na kami sa nakapag-partnership sa international productions at nakapag-red carpet muli dito sa Cannes," she added. [This is a big deal. The mere fact that we've only been attending Cannes as producers for three years, and we've already entered into partnerships with international productions and walked the red carpet again here in Cannes.]

"I am hoping for more Filipino film producers to enter the global stage, whether it is solo or in collaboration with other foreign producers."

Notably, a portion of "Renoir" was shot in the Philippines, employing local crew and Filipino onscreen participants. This not only highlights the country's suitability as a filming location but also contributes economically through job generation and heightened global visibility.

Now, Sylvia's hope is not unfounded, what with Nathan Studios previously premiering two films at Cannes — the psychological thriller "Cattleya Killer" in 2022 and the action film "Topakk" in 2023. As everyone knows, both action thrillers were led by Sylvia's son, internationally-awarded actor and newly re-elected Quezon City First District Representative Arjo Atayde. These early successes signaled Nathan's international ambitions, with "Renoir" marking its most significant step yet.

Beaming with pride, Sylvia shared that early critical reception over in the French Riviera's cinematic capital has been deeply encouraging, calling the reviews both humbling and energizing for the entire team.

"Deadline's" Stephanie Bunbury of Deadline described the film as "beautiful" and noted that while its structure felt scattered, this did not detract from its emotional impact. "It does not take a fortune teller to predict that Chie Hayakawa soon will make her masterpiece," she wrote.

"Variety's" Jessica Kiang described it as "a slender but appealingly impressionistic story of an inquisitive young girl's summer of life, death and amateur parapsychology," drawing a metaphor between Hayakawa's stylistic brushwork and the French painter whose name the film borrows.

Meanwhile, "The Hollywood Reporter's" Lovia Gyarkye highlighted Suzuki's performance, noting how the young actress' "wide-eyed, penetrating stare" conveyed both innocence and a haunting depth of curiosity. "The character becomes someone you come to feel deeply protective of," the review added.

Indeed, with the Cannes spotlight once again shining on a project with Filipino ties, Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde stands among the producers quietly but passionately and relentlessly reshaping the narrative of what local studios can achieve on the world stage.

Fittingly, she celebrated her 54th birthday on May 19 in France — not just as a guest, but as a proud co-producer walking the red carpet for a film that brings together Japanese vision and Filipino commitment. It was a moment of personal joy and professional triumph, made even more meaningful by the international recognition Renoir has begun to receive — a clear sign that the world is watching, and that Filipino storytellers are more than ready to take their place in the global spotlight.

kkk"Renoir" is set for commercial release in Japan on June 20. Nathan Studios has yet to announce a Philippine screening for the film.