AFTER marking P100 million in earnings in the Philippine box office, the ghost-on-the-loose-horror movie “Eerie” starring Charo Santos-Concio and Bea Alonzo will have its European premier at the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy and will compete against 75 international entries.
The film is directed by 27-year-old Mikhail Red and is an addition to the young director’s other entry to the festival “The Grandstand,” a real-life drama about the 2010 Manila hostage crisis, in which a disgruntled police officer seized a bus filled with Hong Kong tourists.
Red will participate in the 3rd edition of Focus Asia 2019 in Udine in the All Genres Project Market dedicated to “films of tomorrow” with a strong potential for co-production or co-financing in Europe or Asia.
It will bring over 200 industry professionals from all over the world to Udine, with the aim of creating new ties between Asia and Europe. The event will be held from April 26 to May 4.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Red shared his insights in filmmaking and how he has always tried to use genre as a vehicle to deliver his message to a wide audience.
“I want to reach the mass local audience in order to effect social change but every project I do must still have legs internationally,” said Red.
He emphasized that distribution and promotion is key for Filipino films to attract local and global attention.
“Luckily I now work with studios who support my vision. They have the machinery to launch a film and reach the masses,” Red added.
There will be three other Filipino films joining Eerie in the competition. They are supernatural romance “Heaven’s Waiting” directed by Dan Villegas; Joyce Bernal’s time travel comedy “Miss Granny”; and bittersweet neo-realistic dramedy “Signal Rock,” directed by Chito Roño.
Red is combining his international network with the local studio system to create hybrid films.
Netflix has become an important platform that launched his second feature “Birdshot.” “Birdshot” gave him the reputation and credibility to gain footing within the studio system and its gatekeepers.
“Fame capital is a resource that can be exploited and used to get more projects greenlit. It gives investors, actors, and audiences the confidence to support your vision,” said Red.
The promising director constantly shifts genres and finds excitement becoming a first-time director in a new genre. Among his upcoming projects with Star Cinema include zombie flick “Block Z” and a new “Magic Temple” movie.
“l learn something new and try something new with each film I do, it never gets boring when I shift genres but the goal has always been the same – say and show something important and make sure a lot of people hear and see it,” said Red. (ABS-CBN News)
