From Fear to Horror to MMFF: Discovering the Secret of Mallari

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This famous quote from the writer-philosopher George Santayana is a fitting introduction to my story about this year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry from Mentorque Productions. What makes it even more interesting is that this film creates history in both the MMFF and the Philippine film industry. In essence, this film is a historical journey in every aspect of its MMFF entry.

 

The MMFF has become a part of Filipino culture during the yuletide season, offering a unique way for Filipinos to celebrate Christmas day—by enjoying the festival of Filipino films.

 

For those who are avid fans of the MMFF, it's noticeable that horror or suspense films have always been a staple in the film selections. There's something about horror films that Filipinos seem to enjoy watching during the Christmas season.

In 2023, Mentorque Productions presents a one-of-a-kind horror film titled 'Mallari,' inspired by the true story of Fr. Mallari, a parish priest in the 1800s who committed a shocking crime, killing 57 people. He was believed to be the first Filipino serial killer and, notably, the first Filipino priest to be executed.

Mallari Makes History

Mentorque Productions has indeed made history with its MMFF 2023 film entry, 'Mallari.' It marks the first Filipino movie distributed by Warner Brothers Pictures. To create a buzz about the film, Mentorque, in cooperation with Cleverminds Incorporated, organized the biggest and grandest media and fan conference last December 1 at The Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. This event served as the kick-off for a month-long journey leading up to the December 25 release of MMFF 2023.

 

'Mallari' features the Philippines' ultimate heartthrob, Piolo Pascual, portraying Fr. Juan Severino Mallari, the first Filipino priest executed by the Spanish colonial government. Alongside Piolo, the movie boasts a talented cast that adds depth and intrigue to the story.

The media conference saw the presence of key figures, including John Bryan Diamante, President of Mentorque Productions; the main cast - Piolo Pascual, Janella Salvador, JC Santos, Gloria Diaz, and Ron Angeles; director - Roderick Cabrido; and writer - Enrico Santos.

Mallari: Partly Fiction and Partly True-to-Life

According to Director Roderick Cabrido and Writer Enrico Santos, 'Mallari' is a gripping blend of fiction and a true-to-life account inspired by the shocking story of Fr. Mallari. The film revolves around a Parish Priest in the 1800s who committed a heinous crime, becoming the first and only recorded Filipino serial killer, predating Jack The Ripper by more than 60 years.

 

Santos shared their experience of gathering recorded data about Fr. Mallari. Due to the scarcity of information, they even reached out to Madrid for additional details. As a result, the story was crafted to be partly fictional but set in a Filipino context.

 

Mallari Piques Warner Brothers Picture's Interest

Crafted and developed in 2018, this outstanding story and its production excellence caught the attention of Warner Brothers Pictures, leading to it being the film's distributor. 'Mallari' takes pride in its high-quality production and a team of exceptional caliber, promising to be the scariest movie this Christmas season during the MMFF 2023 run in cinemas nationwide.

Under the direction of Derick Cabrido, the film was shot in various historic locations in the Philippines, including a village built specifically for the project to recreate an authentic setting. Notably, it incorporates three timelines, blending retro horror with the immediate relatability of current terrors.

 

Mallari: A Film to Watch This December 25

With numerous entries in the 2023 MMFF, it will be interesting to watch them all. However, if there's a "first movie to watch," it undoubtedly should be 'Mallari.' If the trailer entices you, catching it on the big screen this coming December 25 would be a great choice.

For more information and updates, visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/mentorque and Instagram at @mentorqueproductions.