Malou Santos doesn’t believe local movie industry is dying

Prophets of doom have been saying since time immemorial that the local movie industry is "dying," if not already dead or in coma. They must have overlooked the reality that the movie industry in the country as well as those in other countries is part and parcel of the whole economic scenario, so if the country’s economy is in bad shape, naturally the movie industry is also affected especially since the movie industry uses dollars in buying raw materials and post-production work, not to mention the onerous taxes slapped on it.

But Malou Santos, managing director for Star Cinema, is optimistic about the whole thing, adopting a positive attitude in assessing the situation.

"I don’t believe the industry is dying," stressed Malou. "It only needs a good shot-in-the-arm." Malou has proven herself right in many instances, which should include her upbeat forecast for Star Cinema’s latest project, Dubai, directed by Rory Quintos from a screenplay by Ricky Lee and Shaira Mella Salvador and starring Aga Muhlach, Claudine Barretto and John Lloyd Cruz, which was shot mostly in Dubai.

"I have high hopes for Dubai," said Malou. "I have the same good vibes for the movie I had for Milan (starring Claudine Barretto and Piolo Pascual) which turned out to be one of our company’s biggest money makers."

Malou recalled that when she presented the project (Milan), she was met with some objections but she had a good gut feel for the movie and went as far as putting her job at stake, saying she would quit if it didn’t make money.

"They were worried that there wasn’t any chemistry between Claudine and Piolo," recalled Malou. "But then, I knew I had a good story, a good cast and a good director (Olive Lamasan), and I knew I had a winner. The rest is history. Malou is using the same formula for Dubai: a good director, a good cast and, also just as important, shooting it where it should be – in Dubai where hundreds of OFWs are happily and gainly employed.

In the story, Aga and John Lloyd play brothers. Aga goes to Dubai first and as soon as he finds a good-paying job, asks John Lloyd to follow. Claudine enters the picture and it’s never the same again for the brothers.

"Filipinos here and abroad are eager to find out about each other," said Malou, "and when you dramatize the plight of Filipinos in foreign countries, Filipinos back home can identify with them."

Like Anak (shot in Hong Kong starring Vilma Santos and Claudine Barretto) and Milan, Dubai will have its world premieres in several cities around the world, simultaneous with hundreds of theaters nationwide in the Philippines. (The movie’s theme song, Ikaw Lamang, composed by Ogie Alcasid, is sung by Gary Valenciano.)

"Anak and Milan made money and I have a strong feeling, so will Dubai," said Malou. "That’s why I don’t believe the local movie industry is dying. Make a good movie and they will come. If everybody will only have an upbeat attitude and stop being pessimistic, the local movie industry can recover again."