Interview with indie action director Christopher Tengco

Christopher Tengco is living a boy's adventure tale.

The C.E.O. and founder of AutoPhile.ph, a company in the Philippines that organizes sleek, slick car shows, he is also a doctor and a writer/director. Call him a renaissance man or call him Buckaroo Banzai, Tengco is transforming his geek fantasies into self-financed indie short films. His latest, Sugar & Spies, echoes the stylized European work of Luc Besson mashed with Mission: Impossible and the MCU. It can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/147513363. Tengco took a breather from his hectic schedule for this interview.

MIKEY SUTTON: You directed Sugar & Spies. Was this your first project? For how long have you wanted to be a filmmaker?

CHRISTOPHER TENGCO: I have been doing short films since I was in high school. I love making films so much. 

SUTTON: Growing up, what directors inspired you the most?

TENGCO: I love Michael Crichton as a writer although the directors who inspired me a lot were Brian De Palma, Luc Besson and John Woo.

SUTTON: The influence of Luc Besson and John Woo is evident in Sugar & Spies but so is the MCU -- there is even a post-credit scene. Discuss the creative inspirations behind Sugar & Spies. 

TENGCO: I have been a martial artist since age four; therefore, directors who are stylish in presenting action scenes have always been my top-notch go-to guys in the influence department. I love Besson"s less talk, more action approach in the presentation of each scene. As for Woo, the fight choreography is always stunning. I am in love with how Woo would mix slow motion action sequences with the best gun fight rhythms. Clearly, my style is an amalgam of all these creative geniuses combined. 

As to the post-credit scene. I am a big fan of Marvel Studios; hence, a scene after the credits has to be inserted to pay homage to the greatness of Marvel.

SUTTON: What comic books had the biggest impact on you, especially in terms of your storytelling style?

TENGCO: My storytelling style is more of eyecandy with a huge element of brains. I would say Batman.

SUTTON: How did Sugar & Spies develop creatively?

TENGCO: I vowed to marry my wife yearly. Every wedding has a different theme. For our seventh wedding last year, we figured to have a spy vs spy wedding; thus, an 007 wedding. Since i love filmmaking and since this is the theme that I love most, I told my wife that we are doing a spy movie for the first time. From the very start, I wanted a female spy against everyone else-type of movie. Thus, Sugar & Spies was born. 

SUTTON: Sugar & Spies, visually, owes more to European and Hong Kong movies than Philippine fare. Why is that most local films there aren't reaching out for international appeal?

TENGCO: Perhaps most local moviemakers are afraid to explore new possibilities.

SUTTON: When will the sequel be released and what can audiences expect from it?

TENGCO: November 27, 2016 is the official playdate of the sequel. It will be shown exclusively on our eighth wedding. Episode II is packed with a multitide of action sequences. Expect a longer running time plus more hardcore action here. I am also inserting Star Wars into the film. In what capacity, I cant tell yet. 

SUTTON: What advice would you give independent filmmakers?

TENGCO: Never compromise. If you see a target, never settle for second best. Always aim for the bulsseye no matter what the odds are.

SUTTON: Did you finance the movie yourself?

TENGCO: Yes. All me. Ouch!