We attended the World Premiere of Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Mallari" at SM Megamall on Dec. 20 and observed the following:
1. Like sisiw, audience reaction was organic.
In the beginning, only the fans in attendance were reacting to the movie, until they too grew quiet as they became absorbed with the story. By the time revelations were being made in between chase scenes and fight scenes and jump scares, everyone (including the celebrity guests) was screaming, clapping, trying to stiffle nervous laughter (in vain), and even goodnaturedly hitting their seatmate in the arm or pulling their hair to relieve tension.
It goes without saying people were glued to their seats till the lights came on. Wala halos nag CR break at yung mga artista, di "tumakas" o "naglaho na parang bula."
It's the kind of reaction, reception any producer or actor would, er, kill for.
2. Piolo Pascual did not see the need to defend himself against "demolition job."
Two days before the world premiere of "Mallari," someone proliferated a malicious text message alleging that a festival juror who saw the movie declared it "panget."
It is said that person had already denied the rumor, even pointing out he hasn't even seen the movie.
We asked Piolo about it during the short Q&A after the screening, but he refused to answer as he doesn't want to be robbed of the joy he was feeling then.
Going by how successful the premiere was, how good the movie turned out to be, and how people responded, "Mallari" is bound to be a word-of-mouth hit so it's the people who will defend Piolo and "Mallari."
The truth will come out and set them free;
that is, you can't put a good movie or actor down. The demolition job will backfire even without Piolo and company lifting a finger.
Besides, karma is real. Or in "Mallari" speak, #hindinatutulogangdyossagabi
3. People were still talking about the movie as they leave the cinema.
It's because even if you take away the star power, the world-class production, the skillful direction (balance between art and commercial appeal), the marketing blitz of "Mallari," you are still left with a very good story. It's the heart of the movie, the star of the show.
We learned that upon watching "Mallari" in advanced, the number of theater distributors who want to show the movie went up by 30%.
Now, as a favor to the viewer, we will not write the synopsis of the movie here---save to say that it's inspired by the life of the first documented Pinoy serial killer, a priest named Juan Severino Mallari.
To say anything beyond that would be a spoiler. "Mallari" is well researched, superbly executed in every aspect (especially the sound design) and well worth the watch.
By genre, "Mallari" is a gamechanger. No wonder Hollywood film giant Warner Bros. has put its name on it. Yun na lang eh.
"Mallari" is horror movie the MMFF audience of this generation deserves.
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