“Palaisipan sa akin yung bilang ng cinemas,” says Direk Zig
“Firefly” director Zig Dulay admits that he was surprised when he found out the limited number of cinemas their MMFF entry was set to be screened during its first day of showing.
“Firefly,” one of the 10 entries to the yearly Metro Manila Film Festival, only had 38 cinemas at the time it was announced where moviegoers could watch the film.
During the press conference for “Firefly” on December 19 at Wildflour Restaurant in Quezon City, FreebieMNL asked Direk Zig about his thoughts on the number of cinemas their film would be screened.
He says, “Personally, ako rin, palaisipan sa akin yung bilang ng cinemas kasi di ko rin naman talaga alam yung proseso kung ano nangyari.
“Pero totoo rin naman yun, hanggang ngayon, kabilang kami sa mga peliukula na pinakakakaunti talaga yung sinehan.”
Direk Zig admits he is sad that only a few people may be able to watch their movie, but he hopes that good reviews from those who watched the movie on December 25 would spread and persuade others to go to the cinemas.
“Kaya naman sa amin, sure kami na ginawa namin lahat ng makakaya namin para mapahusay, mapaganda yung pelikula, at ginawa talaga namin yun para sa mga tao kaya nakakalungkot na kaunti lang yung makakapanood, di ba?
“Parang nade-defeat yung purpose na gagawa ka ng pelikula, gusto mong mapanood ng mas nakakarami kasi may gusto kang iparamdam, iparating sa kanila ‘tapos hindi makakarating.
“Sana, lalong-lalo na sa unang araw, panoorin ng mga tao yung ‘Firefly’ ‘tapos, wala namang sapilitan yun, pero kung nagustuhan nila yung pelikula, sana ipakalat nila kasi sa kasulukuyan, yun pa rin yung inaasahan namin na magparami ng mga sinehan na magpapalabas ng ‘Firefly.’”
At press time, “Firefly” is being screened in 55 cinemas. GMA Pictures Vice President Nessa Valdellon even rejoiced that their film is finally showing in SM North EDSA, which is one of the biggest cinemas in Metro Manila.
READ ALSO: What Made Alessandra De Rossi Say Yes To Doing GMA Pictures’ “Firefly”
Clamor for more cinemas
Despite the sad news about the cinemas, Kapuso fans are raving on X (formerly Twitter) about the movie, especially those who were able to watch the film during its advanced screening.
These fans are even demanding more cinemas and helping spread the word about the film.
“Firefly” lead actress Alessandra de Rossi says about this, “Maraming fans si Zig, sobra. As in!”
But how does Direk Zig feel about the fans’ comments?
He says, “Sobrang nakakatuwa. Yung mga unang nakapanood nagustuhan nila, yun siguro yung balik sa amin kasi 150% sure, ginawa namin lahat ng makakaya namin para maibigay ng buong puso, para maibigay yung magandang palabas sa mga tao.
“Nag-transcend naman, I think, kasi hindi naman namin pinilit ang mga taong yun, di ba? Sila mismo, naramdaman nila habang pinapanuod nila yung pelikula, hindi sila selfish dahil ang Pasko ay panahon ng pagbibigayan.
“Gusto nilang i-share kung ano yung naramdaman nila habang pinapanood nila yung pelikula and then I think, gusto nilang i-share kung anuman yung mensahe o pakiramdam na gustong iparating ng pelikula doon sa audience.
“Feeling ko, hindi lang ito matatapos sa gusto nila kaming tulungan, gusto nilang tulungan yung pelikulang ‘Firefly’ para magkaroon ng maraming sinehan kung hindi gusto nilang mapanood ng mas nakararaming tao rin kagaya ng kagustuhan namin.”
As for Alex, she only has a short answer about why “Firefly” should be watched by more people in cinemas: “Ang Pasko ay para sa mga bata, ang pelikula namin ay para sa mga bata.”
READ ALSO: Here’s What You Need To Know About MMFF 2023 Entries
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