Soliman Cruz, the surprise leading man in European film 'To the North'

LOS ANGELES — It is always a joy for us to discover new talents when attending film festivals.

Soliman Cruz, the leading man of a Romanian film, "To the North," surprised us when we were at the Venice Film Festival. His quiet and calm portrayal of Joel, a simple seaman who discovers a stowaway in a cargo boat, impressed us. He tries to hide the stowaway from his strict Taiwanese officer bosses who will definitely get rid of him. But hiding the stowaway also risks his life and the lives of his fellow Filipino seamen (ably portrayed by Bart Guingona and Noel Sto. Domingo).

Directed by Romanian director Mihai Mincan, the movie is based on a true story that happened in 1996. During his shift on a transatlantic ship's deck, Joel, a religious Filipino sailor, discovers Dumitru, a Romanian stowaway hidden between some containers. If he is spotted by the Taiwanese officers running the vessel, Dumitru is at risk to be thrown overboard. Joel decides to hide him, as a sign of his gratitude towards God. Soon, a dangerous cat and mouse game begins.

"Spre Nord ('To the North') started out from a radio documentary. A story that had happened in the spring of 1996, in the Atlantic Ocean. At the center of it was an ordinary man: Joel, a Filipino sailor," Mincan said.

Photo: Andrea Avezzu

"One day, as he was on duty on the deck, sailing to the US, Joel discovered a Romanian stowaway. In a second, he had to make a life changing decision. Turn in the young man, thus practically sending him to a cruel death? Or follow his faith and heart and help the stowaway, endangering himself and his crew? That moment, I knew this was the film I've always wanted to make. A story about moral choices, kindness and compromise, courage and fear. A film that could speak to people about their own lives."

This is the debut feature film of Mincan, a graduate of Philosophy and with over 10 years of experience as a journalist. The 122-minute film where English, Tagalog, Spanish, Romanian, Bulgarian and Mandarin are spoken is a collaboration of several countries—Romania, France, Greece, Bulgaria, and Czech Republic.

We were able to interview Cruz via Zoom while he was in his home in the Philippines. Cruz spoke in straight Tagalog and we translated most of them but kept some of his Tagalog answers. Below are excerpts of our conversation.

We were impressed with your performance in "To the North" and we were surprised that you have the lead role. How did you get that role?

If you were surprised, I got the lead role, I was more surprised myself. I didn't expect it. I am a supporting actor here in the Philippines, so I did not expect to land the leading role.

My Romanian director Mihai Mincan is a fan of Lav Diaz, so he watched a lot of Lav Diaz films. He saw me in one of the films of Lav Diaz and he asked his producers to find and contact me.

So, you actually got your big break from Lav Diaz. Can you compare the directorial styles of Lav Diaz and your other director Mihai Mincan?

Lav has so many elements of surprise. You won't read your script until the day itself. He gives the script in the morning. As an actor, your mind should be empty. You should not be discoursing about his style. Your mind should be open. Once you get the script, then you memorize it.

Mihai Mincan is very exact with a script ready and a rehearsal for two weeks. He will explain what he wants to happen in the scene. He has studied philosophy and humanities.

Si Lav matrabaho siya. Paghandaan mo. Empty your mind.

How was it working with different cultures and races on the set? You have Taiwanese, Romanians, and Filipinos on the set.

Photo: Soliman Cruz

I am happy. It is like a tapestry of different races. I am happy because this is also my first time to work with different races and culture. When it comes to doing the scenes though, we are all focused on doing the scenes.

How was it filming in Romania? Did the film take four years to make?

The negotiations took four years. But the filming took only three months. We had one month dedicated to rehearsal. First, we shot in Romania and then we went to Greece. Naabutan kami ng COVID-19. But they didn't let us go. They really hang on to us. They really wanted me to portray the lead role.

Filming in Romania was very exact. When we have to do our scenes, the director will either say "Let's do the scene like you did in our rehearsal" or he will say "Forget what you did in the rehearsal and just surprise me. Just do your own interpretation."

Did you have to undergo audition? Did many apply?

There was no audition. The director only watched the movies of Lav Diaz like "Norte, the End of History" and they saw me. I am so lucky that they liked me. Bart Guingona and Noel Sto. Domingo are also Lav Diaz actors that they loved. That is why we are all in the film, "To the North."

What was the most challenging about filming the movie?

I have problems with my knees. It was very cold in Romania, and we even shot in the boat. It was so cold that I had to do something about it because it was affecting my knees. First, I did not eat rice. I put paddings on my knees, but I should not have done that because it stopped the circulation of the blood. Then I was kneeling in front of the stowaway in a scene and after that scene, I just collapsed.

So, for the following days, instead of putting paddings on my knees, I just took pain killers every day. They had a doctor on board, so it was supervised by a doctor.

What kind of research did you do for the film? How did you prepare for the role?

I am lucky because I live here in Ermita and there are a lot of seamen here. I can just go down and eat at a canteen and observe all the seamen. Then I talked to them a lot and observed them.

What do you think would this film mean to overseas workers?

This movie is actually a seaman's relationship to God and to his fellowman. He believes in his God, but he forgot to think about his fellowmen.

How do you relate to your character? Are you also religious?

I am not religious, but I believe in the higher power. The plot of the story is really about Joel not seeing God in people but just seeing God. Duon siya nakulong.

You have had challenges in your life like drug addiction and homelessness. Do you believe being an actor saved you and helped you to survive?

'Yung sa akin nung tinanggap ko ang aking addiction I was also accepted by friends and family; I started getting treatment and I went to rehab for many times. I got cured but then I went back to rehab. But when I became a dad, I became more sincere and honest to myself.

How many children do you have?

I have three kids biologically and one stepdaughter.

Did you ever get a chance to talk to the real Joel?

I wanted to but the director said Joel does not want to go back to that part of his life.

What is the significance of the Venice Film Festival and other festivals to you Do you think it is really helping actors to be known all over the world?

Photo: To The North/Facebook

Hindi po sa nagmamalaki ako, but for me, I don't think much of it. I do not see it as a big deal. Napansin lang po ang performance ko dahil sa ensemble.

Everybody is involved in it—the director, the wardrobe consultant, the crew. It is the whole ensemble included in my performance.

You lost your luggage which contained your barong tagalog and tuxedo. Were you able to finally get it?

Nakuha po sa Marco Polo Airport sa Venice. My manager had a friend there and will send it here. I need to take care of that.

What are your future projects?

Kahapon po we had a production meeting for a Children's Theater Workshop here in Tondo. That will start in November. And then I have TV films lined up to guest star. I also have a teleserye that I need to do in October for half of the month.

Any more trips or film festivals for you?

Wala muna po. Magastos po at maraming mga requirements.

Do you think "To the North" has a chance of being shown in the Philippines?

Yes, I hope so because it is about Filipino seamen. That is their market. I believe the festival director of the Quezon City Film Festival is interested in showing the movie.

—MGP, GMA News