Single Bells director Fifth Solomon finds humor in dark topics

MANILA, Philippines — Though he’s relatively new as a director, Fifth Solomon has scored another entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). This time, it’s the filmfest’s inaugural summer edition for his comedy film Single Bells, about two girl bestfriends who are polar opposites when it comes to love.

Rose Ann (Alex Gonzaga) is a radio voice talent who swore off love after being dumped by her groom right before her wedding, while Rose Mae (Angeline Quinto) is a boyfriend-hungry scriptwriter of romantic radio dramas. To deal with their love woes, they end up joining a cult-like organization of single people that champions unconventional techniques to self-love.

“Yung kwento ako yun. I was inspired by my own experience because I was single for eight years. When I was single, I experienced feeling both — I badly wanted to be in a relationship (because I felt sad and lonely). At the same time, I was scared of being hurt again. I had trust issues,” said Fifth in an interview with The Philippine STAR.

Director Fifth Solomon on set of the comedy fi lm Single Bells, his fourth movie and second MMFF entry to date. — Photos courtesy of TINCAN Films

The former Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) housemate said that when he was writing the film, he wanted it to send the message that whether you’re single or in a relationship, you can be happy.

“Parang gusto kong i-break yung stigma pagdating sa mga single. Pwede ka naman maging single yet sapat (enough). You can be single and happy,” he said.

Single Bells is Fifth’s fourth directorial job after Nakalimutan Ko Nang Kalimutan Ka (2018), Sa Muli (2020) and ExorSis (2021), his first MMFF entry. Admittedly, he’s into romantic-comedies and hugot films due to his own experiences. “Dala na rin siguro sa matagal akong jowang-jowa, mahilig ako sa hugot and boy-crazy ako. Kapag may gusto ako, talagang ibibigay ko lahat, ‘dun ko hinuhugot, yung mga katangahan ko,” he laughed.

Fifth is also inspired by the likes of That Thing Called Tadhana director Antoinette Jadaone, who was a script consultant on his big-screen directorial debut.

Single Bells is also his third time to direct Alex, whom the director said has found a match in her former I Can See Your Voice co-panelist Angeline in terms of comic timing.

He also said of Alex: “I’m thankful to Alex because she’s the first one who gave me the chance. Dati ang hirap ako makapag-start (directing and writing) kasi galing ako sa PBB, may stigma na parang reality star ka lang or artista ka lang, bakit ka nag-di-direct. I received a lot of no’s.

“I’m thankful to Alex for being the first to say yes to my first film. And she continues to say yes (to my projects), from ExorSis to Single Bells. She continues to believe in me.”

On the actress-host and YouTuber being a frequent collaborator, Fifth added, “We’re friends but we’re still discovering more about each other. And I enjoy working with her because she’s very collaborative. She helps me with my jokes and timing. Ang sarap lang kapag bestfriend mo and ka-work mo pa.”

But being rather new to directing, Fifth admitted that he couldn’t help but feel sad and pressured to be a director during the pandemic era. ExorSis was released during the Christmas MMFF’s first and partial return to the cinemas.

“May pressure because parang ayoko ng another movie na ‘di masyado na panood. Parang masakit din ‘pag ‘di pinapanood yung movie mo,” he candidly expressed.

“Ngayon maraming pelikula pero mas gusto mo talaga mapanood ng mga tao eh. Ngayon, bumabalik pa lang ang mga tao sa sinehan. So, lungkot kasi ‘di namin naabutan yung pre-pandemic times (of people going to the cinemas). Before the MMFF entry of Vice Ganda alone would earn around P500M, ngayon parang yun na ang kabuuan. But at least, nakakatulong yung MMFF para mabuhay talaga yung pelikulang Pilipino. We’re thankful to MMFF.”

Another source of pressure is “sometimes they take me as a joke lang” due to his background and then, there’s that desire to really make people laugh.

“It’s no joke to make a comedy film. Lagi ko nga sinasabi, mas madali magpakilig, magpaiyak kaysa magpatawa. It’s hard to make people laugh if you don’t have comedic timing. I believe you have to be a comedian in real life to be able to direct and write a comedy film.”

He further described his brand of comedy as “coming from a dark place.” Over the pandemic, Fifth was diagnosed as bipolar and depressed. He also has panic disorder and ADHD. He recalled projects that were scrapped due to COVID lockdowns and a personal heartbreak as triggers. He sought medical help after his condition affected his life and work.

“It’s really hard but you have to fight. Health is really a priority. As much as you take care of yourself physically, hopefully, you also take care of yourself mentally and emotionally. Because at the end of the day, it’s still your health and your self.”

Besides finding his tribe or people as a support system, including his partner of one year, Fifth found a coping mechanism in comedy.

“Yung mga mahirap sa buhay or yung mga drama mo sa buhay, minsan tinatawanan mo nalang. Ganun sa akin yung comedy.

“It comes from a dark place or dark topics na pinu-pull natin sa ilaw para maging light lang siya. Minsan kasi mas nakakatawa yung mga totoong bagay. Mas nakakatawa yung masasakit na bagay. Mas masarap siya pagtawanan.

“So, comedy for me, it reminds me, ‘Don’t take life too seriously.’ Sometimes, the hardest things in life are the best to laugh at.”

Produced by TinCan Films, the Summer MMFF entry Single Bells, which also stars Aljur Abrenica, Victor Silayan and Julian Roxas, is now showing in cinemas until April 18.