ACTING legends Ces Quesada, Bodgie Pascua and Nova Villa, with “Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11” big winner Fyang Smith lend their voices in Nathan Studios’ “Picnic,” a moving film that’s sure to resonate with many Filipinos.
Directed by Kim Yong-gyun, “Picnic” is a story about love, life and friendship. It doesn’t present a sanitized version of motherhood or friendship; instead, it digs into the nuances, the regrets and the small moments that define a life shared with others.
“Picnic” was first released in South Korea and the film has been reimagined by Nathan Studios as a Filipino-language movie. It is Nathan Studios’ presentation for Mother’s Day, which falls on May 11.
But rather than offer a straightforward localized version, Nathan Studios — led by its president and CEO Ria Atayde and her team — decided to give it a distinct Filipino flavor by assembling an intergenerational cast.
Taking on the role of Eun-sim is award-winning actress Ces Quesada, whose portrayal of the older version of the character is marked by a quiet strength and vulnerability. Meanwhile, “PBB” winner Fyang Smith plays the younger version of Eun-Sim. Nova Villa is Geum-soon, Eun-sim’s childhood best friend. Nova, in all her years in the business, said this is one of her most heartfelt roles, with her shedding tears in scenes that will surely melt the hearts of moviegoers. Completing the film’s central trio is acting legend Bodjie Pascua who brilliantly breathes life to the character of the elder Tae-ho, a man whose long-buried emotions resurface in old age. The younger Tae-ho is played by Fyang’s onscreen partner JM Ibarra, adding depth and contrast to the character’s journey.
“Picnic” was originally headlined by South Korean superstars Na Moon-hee (Eun-sim), Kim Young-ok (Geum-soon) and Park Geun-hyung (Tae-ho). It was filmed primarily in Pyeongsan-ri, Namhae-gun, a quiet village in South Gyeongsang Province, where lush visuals and serene rural landscapes mirrored the introspective nature of the narrative.
With a modest production budget of USD$911,000, the South Korean original surpassed box office expectations, grossing more than USD$2.2 million. Park Geun-hyung bagged a Best Supporting Actor nomination at Baeksang Arts Awards — a testament to the film’s strong performances and emotional weight. Both are retained in Nathan Studios’ Filipino dub, which reflects the studio’s evolving mission: to bring global stories home, in a way that speaks directly to the Filipino heart.
Nathan Studios has a sterling reputation for taking the road less traveled. With “Picnic,” they once again deliver a surprising yet powerful offering that gently disrupts audiences’ expectations of what a family movie should be.
While the Filipino-dubbed version does not tamper with the film’s original story, it breathes new life into it by allowing some of the country’s most accomplished actors to inhabit these complex roles.
The result is a viewing experience that feels simultaneously familiar and new — evoking the distinct emotional rhythms of Filipino life, from caring for elders to revisiting childhood memories and reevaluating lifelong friendships.
More than just a tearjerker, “Picnic” is a reflective piece of cinema that asks viewers to look back, reach out, and recognize the people who shaped their journey. It’s a movie that lingers — not because of flashy twists or over-the-top drama — but because it connects through memory, honesty, and emotional truth. In a media landscape saturated with spectacle, “Picnic” dares to slow down, to remember, and to feel.
“Picnic” is now showing in theaters nationwide.
