Horror Film ‘Mallari’ Hits A Milestone In Landing Distribution Deal With Warner Bros. Pictures

Local film production company Mentorque recently sealed a major deal with Warner Bros. Pictures for the theatrical distribution of the upcoming horror movie “Mallari,” one of the official entries in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), starring veteran actor Piolo Pascual.

The partnership was announced in a contract signing ceremony between Mentorque Productions president John Bryan Diamante and Warner Bros. Philippines distribution director Rico Gonzales last Nov. 25, 2023 at the Chairman’s Lounge in Okada Manila.

This is only the second time that the American film production and distribution company agreed to release a Filipino movie. Its first attempt was in 2002 for the limited run of the drama film “Mga Munting Tinig” (Small Voices) starring Alessandra de Rossi and directed by the late Gil Portes.

Both Diamante and Gonzales acknowledged that their latest collaboration for “Mallari” is going to be significant, not just for the movie itself, but for the entire Philippine film industry as well. They expressed optimism towards exploring even bigger opportunities to work in the future.

“Because the partnership of Mentorque and Warner (Bros.) seemed to have opened a Pandora’s Box of a lot of possibilities… We’re really dedicated to [bringing] out and [making] quality Filipino films… Moving forward, my ultimate goal is hopefully a co-production,” Diamante said. 

Gonzales noted that “Mallari” is the first mainstream Filipino movie that Warner Bros. is distributing theatrically, coinciding with its 100th anniversary in the Philippines. “We didn’t actually look for it. It just happened… The stars aligned and, on my part, I guess some things are meant to happen,” he added.

The fictional movie is based on the intriguing story of Fr. Juan Severino Mallari, a parish priest based in Magalang, Pampanga, who confessed to the murders of 57 individuals between 1816 and 1826. The crimes led to his execution and made him the first documented serial killer in Philippine history.

Diamante revealed that Mentorque went through a rigorous process to secure Warner Bros. Pictures’ stamp of approval for their movie. “Binisita kami sa set, inalam nila lahat (They visited us on set. They scrutinized everything) … We just ensured na (that) we put out a good quality film,” he said.

Award-winning filmmaker Derick Cabrido directed the movie from a screenplay by Enrico Santos. It had to be shot in two distant provinces for authenticity. Producers also built a soundstage to create high quality audio and visual effects.

To recreate an entire Pampanga 19th century plaza, the producers constructed a fictional town in a remote location somewhere in Batangas complete with a church. Practically no one among the cast also played a role remotely close to the ones they have performed in the movie.

Pascual, who plays the eponymous character, said it was a real privilege to lead the cast of “Mallari.” He also welcomed the involvement of Warner Bros. in their project, knowing that it will help them reach an even wider audience.

“It will definitely open doors for us, especially for those that want to, of course, not just showcase Philippine cinema here but also abroad. So, it’s not just a welcome change, but it’s something that we should celebrate as Filipinos as well,” the actor said.

Diamante aims to have “Mallari” distributed in other regions after its run throughout the duration of the 49th MMFF. God willing, his young production company also hopes to submit the movie as the Philippines’ official entry to the Best International Feature Film category in the next Academy Awards.

“Actually, that (Oscar nomination) is what we have all been dreaming of. But it has to start from here… We have to make it here (first)… When we do a film, we need to make it in our own market (first) and then we work out how to (make it internationally),” the Mentorque president said partly in Filipino.

Other members of the cast include Mylene Dizon, Tommy Alejandrino, JC Santos, Elisse Joson, Gloria Diaz, and Janella Salvador. “Mallari” is scheduled to be released in Philippine theaters nationwide on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.