Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 springs its first Christmas surprise
with an unprecedented partnership between the Hollywood film studio
Warner Bros. and rising Filipino film company, Mentorque Productions,
for its buzzy new MMFF entry, Mallari.
The partnership was
announced by Rico Gonzales, Distribution Director of Warner Bros.
Philippines and John Bryan Diamante, President of Mentorque Productions,
when they held their formal contract signing last November 25, 2023 at
the Chairman’s Lounge in Okada Manila.
The partnership begins
with Warner Bros. handling the theatrical distribution of Mallari
locally, its first local mainstream film distribution. The last time
Warner Bros. attempted to distribute locally was a limited release of an
indie film in 2003.
The road to Warner Bros. first local foray
started when Gonzales was given the go-signal by the regional and head
offices in Burbank to initiate Warner Bros.’s entry into strategic local
ventures. Fortuitously, Mentorque’s production of Mallari appeared in
Rico’s radar, and talks for a partnership began.
Diamante
applauds Warner Bros.’ support for quality local films, and describes
the brand-new partnership as happening “because the stars have aligned.”
Warner Bros.’s recent interest in local films happened to start at the
same time Diamante had decided to level up Mentorque’s lineup, from
regional concerts and indie films, to major film productions with
mainstream and international potential.
Mallari, the
much-awaited, mind-bending horror starring award-winning Filipino actor
Piolo Pascual, is inspired by the true story of Fr Severino Mallari, the
Philippines’ first and only serial killer. Directed by Derick Cabrido,
from a screenplay by Enrico Santos, Mallari also boasts a powerhouse
cast of: Janella Salvador, JC Santos, Gloria Diaz, and Tommy
Alejandrino.
Initial buzz points to several of Mallari’s
strengths that make it attractive to Warner Bros. Mallari has epic
horror ambitions: three time periods, extensive special effects, and the
rare alchemy of popcorn jumpscare horror and mind-bending mystery.
Rumored as the most expensive film in the MMFF 2023, Mallari had to be
shot in two distant provinces for authenticity, and inside a soundstage,
for effects. An entire Pampanga 19th century plaza was constructed in a
remote land in Batangas, complete with a whole church. Practically
no one among the cast has performed a role remotely close to the ones
they have performed here.
Warner had chosen a splashy first venture
into the reawakening Philippine cinema market. Along with local film
distribution, Warner and Mentorque are exploring paths to Warner
distributing Filipino films to the Asian region, collaborations in
streaming, and further along the game, the possibility of
co-productions. As Gonzales quoted Warner Bros.’s classic Casablanca, “I
think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship".
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