Mikhail Red brings e-sports to big screen via 'Friendly Fire'
MANILA, Philippines — Director Mikhail Red's newest movie "Friendly Fire" is the latest Filipino film to depict the gaming community on the big screen.
The e-sports-centric film stars Loisa Andalio, Coleen Garcia, Harvey Bautista, Jan Silverio, Liza Diño, Yves Flores, Bob Jbeili, and Jon Lucas, with the special participation of Alodia Gosiengfiao.
In an exclusive interview with Philstar.com, the filmmaker discussed how he decided to tackle e-sports and gaming and adapt them for a cinematic audience.
Red shared he grew up playing a lot of videos games and after school would be in Internet cafes with friends, making him want to make a movie about gaming and the nostalgic Internet cafe culture of his youth.
"[I also wanted to] finally try the sports movie genre as because I've always been a fan of movies like 'Karate Kid' or 'Mighty Ducks'," Red said, calling "Friendly Fire" a very personal and fun project that combined all the elements he mentioned.
In terms of difficulties adapting e-sports to film, Red found the challenge in making an underdog sports genre film focusing on computer games rather than a physical sport.
"It was tricky to find the balance of making it accessible to non-gamers, make the sports genre beats still feel familiar and entertaining while still having the heart and soul of a gamer's pro journey," he added.
Fortunately, Red and his team had access to an actual Filipino-made game, Secret6's "Project Xandata," allowing them to create visually exciting sequences with a real game engine.
Red also said "Friendly Fire" was a very technically challenging film to mount, capture, and edit, citing the movie's international tournament sequence because of its character and player perspectives, in-game footage, and visual effects shots, all while recreating a live stadium environment.
"It was exhausting yet exciting and fulfilling as a filmmaker, I was very lucky that I had a strong team in production and post production," Red said. "We hope the audience sees what we were able to create. We want to show that local Filipino films can tackle diverse genres!"
With a filmography that includes "Birdshot," "Eerie," and "Deleter," Philstar.com asked Red if his latest entry carries the same thrills he is known for.
The director admitted that he learns and tries something new whenever he has a project given the green light, and this time around will be his first opportunity for a project that is accessible, family-friendly, wholesome, and heartfelt.
"I wanted to make a film about chasing one's dreams against all odds and finding one's destiny, a very universal struggle and relatable arc but set it in the new and exciting world of professional e-sports," Red explained.
He compared "Friendly Fire" to an adventure as it follow Hazel, portrayed by Andalio, to go from Internet cafe cashier and amateur gamer to an international competitor.
"It will be a wild ride for sure where audiences can unite in cheering and rooting for the national team!" Red ended.
"Friendly Fire" will premiere in Philippine cinemas on October 23. — Video from Black Cap Pictures' YouTube channel
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