John Lloyd Cruz is now a director! The actor helmed the music video of "Saturnine Nevermore," a song from the alternative band Sugar Hiccup.
Since its launch last September 8, the music video has registered over 24,000 views on YouTube.
The video was directed by “Idan Cruz” (John Lloyd’s nickname), edited by Apol Dating and produced by Jason Tan and Erwin Romulo.
Imbued with the haunting melody of Sugar Hiccup, the video opens with the statement “All images used in the film were taken from September to December 2017. It was shot in several cities by the filmmaker. some visited before, and some for the first time. One, perhaps for the last time. This is a record of that journey.”
In an interview with ANC, the Kapamilya actor revealed, “Some of the shots were taken in Europe and some here in the Philippines.”
John Lloyd has one regret while working on the video. “It’s a shame I’ve never met the band.”
The actor, who is still on an indefinite leave from showbiz, credits the music video producer for the project. “If not for him, I would not have been able to document something most people would simply want to forget as they carry on in their journey.
“There’s nothing significant about my videos. They are all passive and almost very easy to ignore. They are moments and sights profoundly undermined by greed and fakeness. They are my excuse to look away and ask further.”
Shot in subdued tones, the video takes the viewer into a personal journey of sorts; a “moving on” introspection. There are various transport scenes and other scenes normslly seen in a city. One can see ducks swimming, birds in flight, someone smoking a cigarette. The disparity between city living and provincial charm have become fused together.
The award-winning actor made a quick cameo appearance in the video. He is seen onboard a train, brooding and lost in his thoughts. End shots include a moth “pressed” on the wooden door and a set of balloons soaring up in the sky.