‘Nilalang’ tinanggal sa 34 sinehan; mga produ umapela

MARIA OZAWA AT CESAR MONTANO

NAKIUSAP ang mga producer ng MMFF 2015 entry na “Nilalang” sa organizers ng taunang filmfest at sa mga theater owners na ibalik na ang kanilang pelikula matapos itong i-pullout sa 34 sinehan noong Lunes.

Independent producers ang nasa likod ng “Nilalang” starring Cesar Montano and Japanese porn star Maria Ozawa kaya desperado silang makabawi sa ginastos nila sa kanilang pelikula.

Narito ang bahagi ng apela ng mga taong nasa likod ng “Nilalang” sa kanilang Facebook account: “Appeal to MMFF organizers, theater owners: Please give independent film producers a level playing field—Nilalang producers.

“We are Welovepost, Haunted Tower Pictures, Parallax Studios and BlackOps—the people behind the Metro Manila Film Festival 2015 entry, Nilalang. We are definitely in high spirits, winning FIVE awards at the MMFF 2015, namely, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Festival Sound and Best Musical Score.

“However, our triumphant feeling is overshadowed by the fact that our movie was pulled out from 34 theaters after only the first day of showing. From 40 theaters on opening day (Dec. 25), the number of theaters showing Nilalang has whittled down to only 16 theaters on Dec. 26.

“As we write this appeal, we have learned that Nilalang is only shown in six theaters in Metro Manila. That we have been given only one day by the movie theater owners to let the viewing public see Nilalang is truly deplorable.

“We hope that MMDA, the movie theater owners, as well as the distributors, and other allied industries sincerely help small, independent producers likes us thrive amidst a level-playing field—one that gives the movie-going public more choices and provide more jobs to people who continue to depend on this business for their livelihood.”

“Yes, entertainment is both a science and an art. More importantly, it is a business—a fact that we do not discount because we are business people ourselves.

“Perhaps, what sets us apart is that while we are in the business of producing movies, we ensure that our movies are of top caliber, with innovation and creativity at the core.”