Warner Bros. marks first venture into PH film market

By Lisbet Esmael, CNN Philippines

First Published by CNN Philippines on Nov 26, 2023, 11:59:13 AM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 26) — Hollywood’s Warner Bros. is making its first entry into the local film industry as it signed a deal for the distribution of “Mallari,” a movie about the Philippines' first-ever documented serial killer.

Warner Bros. and Filipino film company Mentorque Productions inked the agreement on Saturday.

“Mallari,” topbilled by Filipino actor Piolo Pascual, is inspired by the true story of Fr. Severino Mallari, considered the country’s first and only serial killer. It is one of the official entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

READ: Piolo Pascual digs deeper into story of PH’s first documented serial killer in 'Mallari'

John Bryan Diamante, Mentorque Productions president, said securing a partnership with Warner Bros. would spark opportunities and help “reawaken” Philippine cinema.

Diamante bared that Mentorque had to shell out ₱80 million for the film to ensure that Mallari would pass Warner Bros.’ standards.

“Warner Bros. is very particular on their standard and they have rules, para makamit namin ‘yun (to meet them), somehow we have to spend more,” he said.

“Warner Bros. has been distributing international films, and they’re always the priority and that’s one advantage namin,” he added.

Rico Gonzales, Warner Bros. distribution director, said the group is “definitely open to the possibility” of distributing more Filipino films.

Gonzales said investing in or co-producing local movies is also in the Warner Bros. pipeline.

“I’ve been talking to my boss before that one day, (one of the plans) is for Warner Bros. to co-produce film movies… I hope this is the start,” he said.