News
WB fosters local 'Voices'
Pic is co-written, co-produced by Filipino director Portes
By CATHY DUNKLEY
Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired theatrical and homevideo distribution rights in the Philippines to "Mga Munting Tinig" ("Small Voices"), a native Filipino pic that won an audience award at the Palm Springs Intl. Film Fest. Pickup is the latest WB commitment to local-lingo production, acquisition and distribution in international territories.
Pic, co-written and co-produced by Filipino director Gil M. Portes, is the story of a young teacher (Alessandra de Rossi) who tries to make a difference when she is sent to teach elementary school in a poor remote village.
" Mga Munting Tinig" is "a shining contribution to the Warner Bros library of titles, and we are honored to distribute it locally," said Francis Soliven, general manager of Warner Bros. Pictures Intl. Distribution for the Philippines.
Added Portes: "I am overwhelmed and honored by the commitment of Warner Bros. Pictures. I will give my all to make sure that this historic first local distribution deal with a Hollywood studio will be the start of a new partnership, a new direction for Philippine cinema."
Acquisition follows the recent purchase of the film by Mongrel Media in Canada.
Pic, which stars De Rossi, Dexter Doria, Gina Alajar and Amy Austria, was produced by Portes and Cuerdo and penned by Portes with Adolf Alix and Senedy Que.
Date in print: Tue., Feb. 25, 2003, Los Angeles