To Have and to Hold[1][2] (or better known as At the End of Forever) is a upcoming Philippine-Japanese romantic comedy fantasy drama film directed by Mika Ninagawa and it starring Japanese-Australian actress Shioli Kutsuna and Filipino award-winning actor Rafael in the crossover of the veiling of the Japan–Philippines relations in February 2024. Crediting the cast members as being of mixed race was international artists to be played to be shot in San Francisco, California and other filming locations located.
According to KM Produce, shooting will begin on July 15, 2024 and is scheduled to be released this year.
Plot[]
Kylie Rowland (Shioli Kutsuna) stood behind the counter of the bustling coffee shop, her mind wandering to legal cases and courtrooms. Serving coffee and pastries was a far cry from her dream of becoming a corporate lawyer, but it paid the bills and kept her afloat while she pursued her law degree. Her parents, traditional and protective, constantly reminded her to stay focused and warned her about distractions, especially romantic ones. One sunny afternoon, a group of pilots walked into the coffee shop, fresh off a flight to San Francisco International Airport. Among them was Jaren Rory Karson Lavares (Rafael), a dedicated Filipino pilot from Manila. Jaren was an only child who had thrown himself into his career, determined to make a name for himself in the aviation industry. Love was not on his radar.
As Kylie served the group, she couldn't help but notice Jaren. He had an air of quiet confidence and a warm smile that was hard to ignore. Her friends and co-workers, Jaxon Jackson (Adrian Alandy), Florence Carter (Katherine Langford), and Daisy McKenzie (Anna Torv), exchanged knowing glances, sensing a spark. Six days later, Kylie found herself on the Golden Gate Bridge, the weight of her struggles pressing down on her. She was exhausted and overwhelmed, feeling like she was on the verge of giving up. As she stood by the railing, contemplating her next move, Jaren happened to be walking by. He recognized her from the coffee shop and, sensing something was wrong, approached her cautiously.
To lighten the mood, Jaren suggested they grab a late-night snack at a convenience store. Over instant noodles and snacks, they continued to talk, slowly easing Kylie's anxiety. Jaren shared his own story of relentless ambition and the pressures of being an only child, which resonated with Kylie. As they laughed and talked, a piece of food got stuck on Kylie's lips. Jaren reached over and gently wiped it away, a simple yet intimate gesture that made Kylie blush. She excused herself to go to the bathroom, leaving her phone on the table. A few minutes later, Kylie's phone rang. It was her family's group chat. Jaren hesitated but answered, "Hello, this phone isn't mine. I'm with Kylie, she's here." Kylie returned to find Jaren on the phone with her parents. She quickly took the phone, reassuring her worried parents that she was fine. They were relieved but curious about the man who had answered her phone.
After Jaren's flight back to Australia, Kylie found herself missing their conversations and the unexpected connection they had formed. To distract herself, she threw herself into her studies and work at the coffee shop. Meanwhile, Jaren settled back into his routine in Manila, but his thoughts frequently drifted to the moments he shared with Kylie in San Francisco. Their colleagues noticed the change in both of them. Jaxon, Florence, and Daisy, Kylie's friends, decided to lift her spirits by organizing a small get-together. They invited a few regular customers and friends from the coffee shop. The evening was filled with laughter, stories, and an attempt to cheer Kylie up. Despite their efforts, Kylie couldn't shake the feeling of something missing.
In Manila, Jaren's fellow pilots, Jonathan (Nathan Lopez), Carter (Markki Stroem), Lewis (Kris Lawrence), and Thomas (RJ Rosales), noticed his distraction. After a particularly long flight, they decided to treat him to a night out, hoping to take his mind off things. They went to their favorite spots in the city, reminiscing about past flights and sharing future ambitions. Jaren appreciated their camaraderie but felt an emptiness he couldn’t quite explain. Back in San Francisco, the get-together at the coffee shop ended on a high note. As Kylie was cleaning up, she received a message from Jaren, checking in on how she was doing. They began texting more frequently, sharing snippets of their daily lives and providing each other with much-needed support. The distance seemed to shrink with each message.
One day, Kylie received a surprise visit at the coffee shop. Jaren had managed to arrange a layover in San Francisco on his way to Australia. Their reunion was warm and filled with joy. They spent the evening walking through the city, visiting their favorite spots, and talking about their future plans. As Jaren’s layover came to an end, they promised to keep their connection strong, despite the distance. Their colleagues, seeing how much they meant to each other, offered their unwavering support. Jaxon, Florence, Daisy, Jonathan, Carter, Lewis, and Thomas all played a part in keeping their spirits high and encouraging them to pursue both their dreams and their budding relationship.
Kylie and Jaren realized that, with the support of their friends and colleagues, they could find a balance between their careers and their relationship. They planned to visit each other whenever possible and continued to build their bond, knowing that love and ambition could coexist. The story concludes with Jaren boarding his flight to Australia, both of them looking forward to the future with hope and determination, supported by a network of friends who believed in their journey.
After landing in Australia, Jaren took a few days to rest and recuperate. During this downtime, he found himself thinking constantly about Kylie, cherishing their conversations and shared moments. He couldn't resist reaching out to her, pleading over messages that he missed her dearly. Kylie, who had been feeling the same way, was touched by his words. As they continued to communicate, Kylie couldn't help but recall the fateful day they met on the Golden Gate Bridge and how Jaren had saved her. That memory had become a cornerstone of their bond, a moment of vulnerability and connection that neither could forget.
While Jaren was in Australia, his friends began to notice the change in him. They playfully teased him about his newfound distraction, often joking about how he was always on his phone or lost in thought. Jaren took their ribbing in stride, knowing that his feelings for Kylie were genuine and strong. Meanwhile, Kylie's friends in San Francisco were also aware of her growing affection for Jaren. They too enjoyed teasing her about her frequent text exchanges and the dreamy look in her eyes whenever she talked about him. Despite the distance, Kylie and Jaren’s bond grew stronger with each passing day.
One evening, as Jaren was sharing a meal with his friends in Australia, they couldn't resist poking fun at him once more. "So, when are we going to meet this girl who’s stolen your heart?" one of them asked with a grin. Jaren laughed and promised that one day soon, they would.
At the same time, Kylie found herself surrounded by her friends, who were just as curious about Jaren. They encouraged her to make plans to visit him in Australia, knowing how much she missed him. Finally, after weeks of anticipation, Kylie decided to take the plunge. She booked a flight to Australia, eager to reunite with Jaren and see where their relationship could go. When she arrived, Jaren was waiting for her at the airport, his heart pounding with excitement and joy.
Their reunion was everything they had hoped for and more. Jaren introduced Kylie to his friends, who welcomed her warmly and immediately began teasing them both about their long-distance romance. Kylie felt a sense of belonging and happiness she hadn’t experienced in a long time. As they spent time together exploring Australia, their connection deepened. They talked about their dreams, their fears, and the future they hoped to build together. Surrounded by supportive friends and the beautiful backdrop of Australia, they realized that no matter the distance, their love could endure. After four months of long-distance calls, video chats, and heartfelt messages, it was time for Kylie to return to Saudi Arabia to visit her parents. As fate would have it, she booked a flight back on Jaren's airline, not knowing he would be the pilot for her journey home.
As the plane began its descent into Saudi Arabia, the captain's voice came over the intercom. Kylie instantly recognized Jaren's familiar tone, her heart skipping a beat. She looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but knowing she would have to wait until they landed. Once the plane touched down and the passengers began disembarking, Kylie hurriedly gathered her belongings, eager to see Jaren. The anticipation built as she made her way through the terminal. Finally, she spotted him, stepping out from the cockpit and into the arrival area.
Their eyes met across the bustling airport, and for a moment, it felt as though time stood still. Overwhelmed with emotion, Kylie broke into a run, closing the distance between them. She threw her arms around Jaren, and he held her tightly, lifting her off the ground in a joyful embrace. The months of separation melted away as they stood there, lost in their reunion. After a few moments, one of Jaren's colleagues, who had been watching the reunion with a smile, came over to greet Kylie. She recognized him as one of Jaren's fellow pilots from their conversations. He joined in the embrace, welcoming Kylie with a warm hug, completing the sense of family and camaraderie.
Jaren and Kylie, surrounded by the supportive presence of their friends and colleagues, felt an overwhelming sense of happiness and relief. They had faced the challenges of a long-distance relationship and had come out stronger, their love deepened by the time and distance they had endured. As they left the airport together, Kylie felt a renewed sense of hope and excitement for the future. She knew that no matter where life took them, they would always find their way back to each other. Their journey was far from over, but with their love as a guiding star, they were ready to face whatever came next, hand in hand.
Cast and characters[]
- Shioli Kutsuna as Kylie Rowland
- Rafael[3] as Jaren Rory Karson Lavares
- Nathan Lopez as Jonathan Liane
- Markki Stroem as Carter Graham
- Kris Lawrence as Lewis Mussett
- RJ Rosales as Thomas Brown
- Adrian Alandy as Jaxon Jackson
- Alex Medina as Lianne Graham
- Anna Torv as Daisy McKenzie
- Katherine Langford as Florence Carter
- Jean Garcia as Rowland's mother
- Fahad Albutairi as Rowland's father
- Glydel Mercado
- Rio Teramoto
- Honoka Yahagi
- Mei Nagano
- Caitlin Stasey
- Eiji Akaso
- Dean Fujioka
- Lou Diamond Phillips
- Hina Kikuchi
- Cheska Inigo
- Ronnie Lazaro
- Audie Gemora
- Angela Cortez
- Aubrey Miles
- Martin Escudero
- Sandy Aloba
- John Medina
Production[]
Background[]
When KM Produce announced the planning of only a few stars for the project that will be with Kutsuna[4] and Seavey (the former stage name), some foreign offers were recruited to star in the To Have and to Hold project. Black Sheep Productions announced that Anna Torv and Katherine Langford would join the project, and on April 7, 2024, Markki Stroem, Kris Lawrence, RJ Rosales, Adrian Alandy, and Alex Medina were confirmed to star as part of the film's cast. On June 12, 2024, the entire cast members who will also star in the movie have been announced. From the languages, Kutsuna said that it was more challenging for him to use full-English speaking in the film and he held a workshop with the actor on May 7 and 9.[5][6]
Filming[]
It was announced that the shooting will begin on July 15, 2024, the director said, and will film in different locations selected.
References[]
- ↑ Shioli Kutsuna, Rafael reportedly will star in the first paired in the movie.
- ↑ Japanese actress Shioli Kutsuna will star with actor Rafael in a film for the first time as a Japanese-Filipino collaboration.
- ↑ Filipino actor Rafael revealed the tribute to leading lady Shioli Kutsuna in their scene together.
- ↑ Is Shioli Kutsuna thrilled with their scenes in the upcoming movie "To Have and to Hold".
- ↑ Shioli Kutsuna, Rafael revealed being part of working with each other in the workshop.
- ↑ 'To Have and to Hold' stars Shioli Kutsuna and Rafael asked for support abroad besides Japan and the Philippines.