John Bryan Diamante talks about “historic” partnership with Warner Bros
Labis ang kagalakan ng Mentorque Productions big boss na si John Bryan Diamante sa partnership sa pagitan ng Hollywood film studio na Warner Bros. at ang Filipino film company na Mentorque Productions para sa inaabangang MMFF 2023 entry na Mallari.
Patunay ito na mahusay ang pagkakagawa ng pelikulang Mallari at may international appeal ito.
Mapapanood sa pelikulang Mallari ang kakaibang pagganap ng bida ritong si Piolo Pascual. Bahagi rin ng cast sina Gloria Diaz, Mylene Dizon, JC Santos, Janella Salvador, at Elisse Joson. Nasa cast din sina Ron Angeles, Vangie Labalan, Bart Guingona, Raffy Tejada, Tommy Alejandrino, Angeli Sanoy, Angie Castrence, at Erlinda Villalobos.
Anyway, ang partnership ay inanunsiyo nina Rico Gonzales, Distributor Director ng Warner Bros. Philippines at John Bryan Diamante, Presidente ng Mentorque Productions, nang ginanap ang kanilang formal contract signing last Nov. 25, 2023 sa Chairman’s Lounge ng Okada Manila.
Masayang pahayag ni Bryan, “First of all we would like to thank Metro Manila Film Festival for having Mallari as one of the 10 official entries. Maraming salamat po sa pagkilala sa aming pelikula.
“Ngayong araw ako ay nagpapasalamat na sinamahan ninyo kami to witness this historic event as we seal our partnership with the Number 1 film distributor in the Philippines, Warner Brothers Pictures with Sir Rico Gonzales. Mallari is the first mainstream film to be distributed by Warner Brothers Pictures in the Philippines.
“May this partnership be gateway to more collaborations and give more opportunities to the industry. Sir Rico, maraming salamat po sa tiwala.”
Ipinahayag pa niyang matapos ang top grosser films na tulad ng “The Nun,” “The Priest,” “Valak” ay heto ang “Mallari” na ang kasunod kaya talagang hindi pa rin makapaniwala si Bryan na kahilera na ng pelikulang produced niya ang mga sikat na horror films sa Hollywood.
Aniya, “Hindi ba from the Nun to the Priest now from Valak to Mallari. As Mentorque Productions ventured from doing events into producing films. It wasn’t easy, but I am so lucky to meet the right people na nakakahawa ang pagmamahal sa industriyang ito.
“Our country is overflowing with amazing filmmakers and actors. I am very lucky to bump into some of them. We are very excited na mapanood ng mga kababayan natin ang Mallari. I am proud to say that everyone who worked in this project ay ibinigay ang lahat.”
Pahayag pa ni Bryan, “Despite facing challenges such as our ability to compete with international films and the rise of digital platforms, the Philippine film industry remains resilient and vibrant. Mentorque Productions promised to continue to be concept driven.
“The Philippine Cinema has a rich and diverse history. It is known for its unique storytelling style and has made significant contributions to both regional and international film. Mentorque Productions wish to contribute to our rich and diverse cinematic landscape that continues to captivate audiences, both locally and internationally.
“Lagi nating naririnig ang katagang tangkilikin ang sariling atin. Masaya po kaming inihahandog sa inyo ang Mallari dahil hindi lang po ito gawang Filipino, kundi isang pelikulang maipagmamalaki ng bawat Filipino.”
Sa panig ni Piolo malaking bagay ang partnership ng Warner Bros. at Mentorque para sa Mallari.
Sambit niya, “It’s such a big sigh of relief, initially. Because as what Bryan said, you know, they were really… kumabaga everyday we had to passed all the sequences, they had to checked it and they had to really criticized everything.
“So, when finally, they said yes to it, we were like, ‘Okay, so now, since it’s the first partnership with a Flipino producer, it will definitely open doors for us’. Specially for those that want, not just to showcase Philippine cinema here, but also abroad. So, it’s not just a welcome change, it is something that we should celebrate as a Filipinos, as well,” paikli pa ng award-winning actor.
First time gaganap sa ganitong genre si Piolo at ibang klaseng horror film ang Mallari. Makikita rito ang sakop na tatlong era ng pelikula at ang magaling na transformation ni Piolo sa tatlong katauhan na ginagampanan niya rito.
Ang Mallari ay inspired by true events ng Filipino priest na si Father Juan Severino Mallari mula Pampanga. Sinasabing pumatay si Father Mallari ng 57 katao noong 1816-1826. Nakulong ang sinasabing killer priest nang labing-apat na taon, bago binitay noong 1840.
Ang Mallari ay pinamahalaan ni Direk Derick Cabrido at mula sa panulat ni Enrico Santos.
