Hollywood giant Warner Bros. lends its seal of approval to Filipino horror flick Mallari, marking a “watershed moment” for Philippine cinema.
The Hollywood studio has joined forces with up-and-coming Filipino production company Mentorque Productions to distribute the highly anticipated horror film.
The partnership was officially sealed during a contract signing ceremony held at the Chairman’s Lounge in Okada Manila on November 25. The event was attended by Rico Gonzales, Distribution Director of Warner Bros. Philippines, and John Bryan Diamante, President of Mentorque Productions.
Under this new agreement, Warner Bros. will assume theatrical distribution of Mallari across the Philippines, marking a significant departure from their previous limited involvement in local film distribution, which dates back to the 2003 release of an indie film.
The path to Warner Bros.’s first major local venture began when Gonzales, with the green light from their regional and head offices in Burbank, embarked on a mission to explore strategic partnerships within the Philippine film industry. It was during this quest that Mentorque’s production of Mallari captured Gonzales’s attention, sparking discussions for a potential collaboration.
Diamante, echoing Gonzales’s belief in the power of collaboration, expressed his admiration for Warner Bros.’s commitment to supporting high-quality local films.
“It’s like the stars aligned,” Diamante remarked, alluding to Warner Bros.’s newfound interest in local films and Mentorque’s strategic decision to elevate their production portfolio to include major film productions with “mainstream and international appeal.”
According to its lead star, Piolo Pascual, the landmark collaboration, which marks Warner Bros.’s first foray into mainstream Filipino film distribution, cements Mallari’s position as a film of exceptional quality and underscores the global appeal of Philippine storytelling.
In the film Pascual plays the titular character Fr. Severino Mallari, known as the Philippines’ first and only documented serial killer.
“It’s a privilege to be a part of something this significant and to be recognized by Warner Bros., an international brand,” Pascual stated.
The actor further emphasized the potential impact of this collaboration on the Philippine film industry, noting that Warner Bros.’s involvement will undoubtedly open doors for Filipino filmmakers and elevate the global recognition of Philippine cinema.
“It’s not just a welcome change; it’s something we should celebrate as Filipinos,” Pascual added.
Directed by Derick Cabrido and written by Enrico Santos, Mallari boasts a stellar cast that includes Janella Salvador, JC Santos, Gloria Diaz, and Tommy Alejandrino.
Initial buzz highlights several factors that make Mallari an attractive prospect for Warner Bros. The film boasts epic horror elements, spanning three distinct time periods, incorporating extensive special effects, and seamlessly blending popcorn horror thrills with mind-bending mystery.
Reputed as the most expensive film in MMFF 2023, Mallari required filming in two distant provinces to ensure authenticity, alongside extensive soundstage work for special effects.
A complete 19th-century Pampanga plaza was constructed in a remote Batangas location, including a fully functional church. Notably, most of the cast members have never ventured into roles as intense and demanding as the ones they portray in this film.
Warner Bros. has made a bold and strategic move by entering the resurgent Philippine cinema market. Beyond local film distribution, Warner Bros. and Mentorque are exploring avenues for Warner Bros. to distribute Filipino films across the Asian region, collaborate on streaming platforms, and even consider co-productions in the future.
As Gonzales aptly quoted Warner Bros.’s classic Casablanca, “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”