MULTI-awarded director Brillante Ma. Mendoza has joined TV5 for a monthly made-for-television movies and a TV series.
This was announced by Coach Chot Reyes during a press conference held at Romulo’s Cafe in Timog, Quezon City.
“TV5 will collaborate with acclaimed director Brillante Ma. Mendoza for its new offering ‘Brillante Mendoza Presents.’ The show will feature made-for-television movies created exclusively for TV5. The stories will be authentic and unique, definitely a far cry from the usual TV dramas,” said Reyes.
Mendoza, who directed the critically-acclaimed movie “Ma’ Rosa” recently, said that he is very excited to join the Kapatid network.
“I’m really excited with these projects and partnership with TV5. I will also be doing a television series entitled ‘Amo’ which will focus on the illegal drugs trade. In each eipsode, we will focus on a certain character that we will follow,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza also announced that a new breed of filmmakers will highlight the partnership with the popular television network.
“This is our way of supporting the independent filmmakers. These new filmmakers will make full-length movies for commercial and international releases. Yung mga pang-festival. These are not just ordinary commercial films but with content,” the director said.
Reyes said that TV5 will position itself as an alternative network for television series and movies in 2017.
“One of the many reasons why we partnered with direk (Brillante) is because TV5 is open to partnerships. If you’re a filmmaker, you have a storyline, a producer who has concepts, join us and partner with us. We can co-produce, we can do a lot of things,” Reyes said.
“There’s no better way to show how serious we are than to partner with direk Brillante with six other soon-to-be-known directors who are going to produce full-length films naman. So that’s the move we want to make in 2017. To position ourselves as an alternative for televiewers and soon the movie-going public,” Reyes added.
Mendoza said that the artists who will be involved in the movies and television series are TV5 talents and most of all independent actors.
“Other than TV5 talents, we will tap other talents from the industry. Not the contract stars from other networks kasi hindi naman pwede yun. Mostly independent actors at ang dami nila. Kailangan lang talaga nila exposure. We will focus more on the story and content rather than the stars,” the director said.
Mendoza, however, cannot deny the fact that big stars can really attract audiences.
“At the end of the day, kailangan talaga natin ang artista pero hindi naman kailangang sikat. Hopefully, through these projects, makilala yung mga indie talents,” he added.
The first made-for-television film of Mendoza will be aired on Jan. 21. It is supposed to be aired on Jan. 28 but showing was moved to an early date to give way to the Miss Universe pre-pageant shows which will be broadcast in the same network. But the Amo series will be launched in February.
Reyes also said that TV5 has no plans to rival other major television networks in the country.
“Wala kaming planong labanan ang GMA7 and ABS-CBN. Hindi namin kaya yun at hindi namin pinapangarap yun. But in 2017, as I’ve said, TV5 will position itself as an alternative network for televiewers and moviegoers,” he added.