Old Films Are New Again

There’s no stopping Unitel Pictures, producer of Sharon Cuneta’s award-winning opus, Crying Ladies, from bringing local film productions to the international forefront. After venturing into critically acclaimed and multi-awarded productions which made the rounds of commercial exhibition in the United States, Unitel Pictures has now embarked on restoring local film classics and releasing them into DVD versions.

Producer Tony Gloria, the cinema visionary who invested millions in production equipment for his latest venture, proudly announced his impressive catalog of local film classics, which are being made available not just in the country but also to the worldwide market. Through Cine Filipino, the banner firm under Gloria’s international marketing and distribution arm, Unico Entertainment, the masterpieces of Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Marilou Diaz-Abaya and Mario O’Hara have been turned into digital video releases.

"We restored the films to comfortable viewing experience and placed English subtitles," informs Ting Nebrida, the Los Angeles-based executive of Unico Entertainment. "We believe that the films of Brocka and other great directors ought to be appreciated by a new generation of audiences and also in the international market."

To date, Cine Filipino’s growing catalog of masterpieces include Brocka’s Makiusap Ka sa Diyos, Cain at Abel and Ina, Kapatid, Anak; Bernal’s Relasyon, Pahiram ng Isang Umaga and City After Dark; Abaya’s Karnal; Chaning Carlos’ original Jack en Jill (starring Dolphy and Lolita Rodriguez); Chito Roño’s Laro sa Baga and Babae sa Bintana; O’Hara’s Fatima Buen Story; and Joey Reyes’ Makati Avenue.

The collection includes a few titles from Sampaguita Pictures like Iginuhit ng Tadhana (the bio-flick of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, starring Luis Gonzales and Gloria Romero) and Ramona Diaz’s Imelda, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival before it did a commercial run all over the US. The films are available for overseas orders through the Cine Filipino website (cinefilipino.com), which has been operational starting this month.

Gloria was prompted to restore local film classics after he attended the Cannes International Film Festival three years ago, when he produced American Adobo, directed by Laurice Guillen. "I noticed at Cannes that there was no booth that sells Filipino films," Gloria shares. "Last year, we started selling local films at the American Film Market (AFM) in Los Angeles. Eventually, we plan to have a booth in international film festivals, where we can sell the films in our catalog."

Gloria insists he does not expect to make huge profits right away with Cine Filipino’s DVD releases of local film classics, even if they’ve been doing it for a year now. "I don’t look at short-term profit with this venture," says the independent producer. "Although the restoration can take months or even up to a year, we are not complaining. Anyway, we’ve already invested on the equipment. It’s a good, unique idea and I’m confident that it has a market. When you have a good idea, money will follow. Eventually, this will also be a profitable venture."

Cine Filipino also gives an opportunity for independent Filipino filmmakers to showcase their works to a worldwide audience. "We want to open the door for Filipino films in the world market," Nebrida grants. "We also welcome documentaries and independent film productions, which we can release abroad."

Nebrida happily notes of the good reception being given lately to Filipino films in the American theaters, especially to director Mark Meily’s Crying Ladies, which earned good reviews when it opened in the US.

"Our movies get regular bookings in the American theaters, similar to what they do to Hollywood films," Nebrida offers. "We don’t do four-walling, where you rent the theater to show the film. In order to get regular bookings, you have to show to the buyers a copy of the film. I believe we do it based on the merits of the film. The quality of movies that Unitel produces speaks for itself. If you don’t have a good film, it’s pointless to sell it even if you have the connections."

Los Angeles-based Cindy Sison handles foreign sales and non-theatrical releases (DVD and broadcast) for Unico Entertainment. She also lobbies for their films to be exhibited in international festivals in Cannes, Berlin and Los Angeles, according to Nebrida.

This Lenten season, Unitel Pictures’ Santa-Santita, director Laurice Guillen’s modern Magdalene story starring Angelica Panganiban, will be shown in New York, San Diego, Honolulu and Toronto. "We will market it the same way we marketed Crying Ladies and Imelda," Nebrida says.

Following in the tradition of winning scripts produced by Unitel Pictures are its productions this year. Next in line is Mark Meily’s sophomore directorial outing, La Visa Loca (originally titled Penitencia Republic), to be shown in May. The film is based on a Palanca prize-winning script and is co-produced with Sharon Cuneta. It stars Robin Padilla as a nurse’s aid and driver who dreams of becoming an American citizen. The story happens during Holy Week and is interestingly told in pasyon form.

Peque Gallaga’s much-awaited Pinoy Blonde, a small-budgeted film with an all-star cast, is set to be released in July. Starring Epi Quizon, Boy-2 Quizon, Ricky Davao, Jimmy Fabregas, Izza Calzado and Tessie Tomas "in a major cameo role." Doing special appearances are Eddie Garcia, Richard Gomez, Joey Marquez, Richard Gutierrez, Tonton Gutierrez, Ian Veneracion, Gabby and Ryan Eigenmann, Joel Torre, Ara Mina, Giselle Tongi, Cherie Gil, Michael de Mesa, Mark Gil, Rita Avila, Gina Alajar, Cherry Pie Picache and even cartoonist Roxlee, who himself is an independent filmmaker.

Unitel Pictures will also bankroll the Dolphy movie aptly titled Comedy King, to be directed by Jun Reyes and co-produced with Sharon again. Sharon, meanwhile, will do a comedy-drama about a small-town family, with Jun Reyes at the helm.