MANY millennials and Gen Zs are no stranger to Hollywood’s Warner Bros. films, particularly those in the horror genre. Who didn’t get jump scares and chills from movies like “The Conjuring,” “It” and “The Nun?”
The global film studio never fails to produce spine-tingling films that viewers enjoy watching with their family, friends, or even alone.
So, here’s good news to cinephiles: you can look forward to more of these iconic horror films as Warner Bros. expands to another country, as they venture into the Philippine film industry.
Mentorque x Warner Bros
Philippine-based film company Mentorque Productions announced over the weekend that it joined forces with Warner Bros. for the release of highly anticipated horror film “Mallari,” topbilled by veteran actor Piolo Pascual.
The film is Pascual’s first foray into the horror genre and Warner Bros.’ first venture into mainstream Filipino movie distribution, according to Mentorque.
The two firms sealed their partnership on Saturday, November 25. Mentorque executive producer John Bryan Diamante hoped that this historic deal would open more opportunities for the Philippine film industry.
In his opening speech during the partnership launch event, Diamante addressed Warner Bros.’ Rico Gonzales and said, “Maraming salamat po sa tiwala. From ‘The Nun’ to ‘The Priest,’ now from ‘Valak’ to ‘Mallari.’”
“As Mentorque Productions ventured from doing events to producing films, it wasn’t easy. But I am so lucky to meet the right people na nakakahawa ang pagmamahal sa industriyang ito,” he added.
Diamante said that he could not wait for Filipino viewers to see the fruit of labor of individuals who joined forces to create the forthcoming horror film.
“I am proud to say that everyone who worked on this project ay binigay ang kanilang lahat. Mentorque Productions just ensured that everyone working on this project will have the best working environment that they would need,” he shared.
Gonzales considered the historic partnership as the start of more collaborations between Warner Bros and Mentorque Productions.
“Hopefully, this is just the beginning. We’ve been talking [about] other possible projects in the future, and hopefully, this is not just for the Philippine market but as well as for other regional markets where Warner Bros. is distributing movies,” he said.
On its social media pages, Warner Bros. published “Mallari’s” poster bearing the firm’s logo.
‘Mallari’ in MMFF
“Mallari” is one of Pascual’s films that have been included in the 49th edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
Helmed by award-winning director Derick Cabrido, “Mallari” will unfold the blood-curdling story of Fr. Juan Severino Mallari, the first documented serial killer in the country who was responsible for the murders of 57 people in Pampanga.
A blend of reality and elements of fiction, the film will showcase Pascual portraying three roles: Fr. Mallari, Jonathan and John Rey, whose characters come from different periods—the Spanish colonization, the post-war period, and present day.
The official trailer of “Mallari” was also unveiled during the partnership launch on Saturday.
The two-minute clip featured the film’s other cast members like Mylene Dizon, Tommy Alejandrino, JC Santos, Elisse Joson, Gloria Diaz and Janella Salvador.
Joson portrays the character of Felicity, Salvador as Agnes, and Diaz as Doña Facunda.
The film is set to premiere on Christmas Day, December 25.
