Writer-director Fifth Solomon is hoping that his new film “Sa Muli,” starring Xian Lim and Ryza Cenon, would do well at the tills, admitting past outings didn’t fare too well.
Among these are “Dulo” starring Diego Loyzaga and Barbie Imperial, “The Exorsis” featuring sisters Toni and Alex Gonzaga, and most recently “Single Bells” with Alex again.
Asked to share what he felt was lacking in these films, he said, “I think hindi yung material e. Maganda naman sila at magagaling din naman ang mga actors ko. Maganda din naman ang mga reviews. So, I think, it’s the timing.”
Asked to expound, he related, “At the time kasi na ni-release yung mga una kong pelikula, pandemya. Ngayon naman lumuwang na, yung mga tao naman parang travel ang gusto.”
It doesn’t help that ticket prices are still too much for the average moviegoer.
“Alam ko yan. Personally, naramdaman ko yan. Kasi nagulat talaga ako nung nanood ako ng pelikula recently, Summer MMFF huh, pero grabe more than one thousand pesos ang nagastos naming magkakaibigan. Parang, ‘Naku kakain pa ba tayo, after?’ So yun, mahirap.”
Does he have a solution in mind?
“Ako, I think it’s about time we lower ticket prices. Babaan ang tax. Para maging madali naman para sa mga manonood.”
“Sa Muli” is a passion project for Fifth.
He related how he had to overcome depression, anxiety just to finish the whole thing.
“Nagsimula kami mag-shoot 2020 pa, imagine? Inabutan kami ng kung ano-ano, kasama na ang sunod-sunod na lockdowns. Pero ako talaga, dahil mahal ko ang pelikula, sabi ko, no matter what tapusin natin ito,” Fifth shared.
It’s an ambitious period piece centered on two lovers played by Xian and Ryza.
“It is about love and reincarnation,” said Fifth. “Mabusisi, mahirap pero I think we came up with a very good film. Hopefully, magustuhan ng mga manonood.”
“Sa Muli” screens in theaters April 26.
