MANILA, Philippines - Not even a new prospective producer with a renewed interest in serious filmmaking could change a director’s heart to go on with his dream project.

Prizewinning filmmaker Mario O’Hara just withdrew from his commitment to do a historical account of the bitter rivalry between Emilio Aguinaldo and Andres Bonifacio in the political saga “Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio” for the 2010 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

In a text message to his confidante, movie writer Dennis Adobas, the awarded film director said he was backing out of the film because his co-producer didn’t want what were stipulated in the contract for co-production.

“The name of Mario’s supposed co-investor is Ellen Ilagan, a friend of Alfred Vargas,” informed Adobas.

“Maraming provisions sa contract ang hindi sang-ayon si Ms. Ilagan kaya nag-decide si Mario to drop the project altogether,” he added.

Vargas was supposed to be Andres Bonifacio in the film.

But O’Hara assured Adobas he would pursue his pet plan within the year.

“Bago raw matapos ang 2010 ay gagawin ni Mario ang pelikula kahit hindi para sa Cinemalaya,” Adobas exclaimed.

“Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio” was one of the 5 film titles in the newly created division of the annual film festival, Open Category, that was chosen by the Cinemalaya Foundation of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The selected films were awarded seed production grant of P500,000 courtesy of Grassroots Film Production and Distribution, Inc. plus an additional P100,000 post-production support.

Since the allotment fund was not enough to get through the whole production of the story, O’Hara had to look for a counterpart investor to help him in the project.

The proponent and awardee have the prerogative to look for financiers to assist them in the production costs. 

Disheartened

Not a few people from the local film industry have expressed their sadness over O’Hara’s decision because most of them believed the film would be worth its salt.

One of them is controversial filmmaker Jowee Morel who’s currently in London to further study filmmaking. “Sayang naman. Magandang materyal ‘yon para sa Cinemalaya,” Morel said in a text message.

Entertainment writer Art Tapalla was disheartened as an artist and as a Philippine history student.

“Ito pa naman ’yong magpapakita ng tunay na kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, naudlot pa. May isang bagong movie producer na gusto ‘yon pero nag-beg off na nga si Mario,” exclaimed Tapalla.

With “Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio” out of the competition, what’s left now are Mark Meily’s “Isang Pirasong Buhay,” Joselito Altarejos’ “Pink Halo-Halo,” Joel Lamangan’s “Sigwa” and Gil Portes’ “Two Funerals,” all of which are reportedly on its production processes. -Boy Villasanta, abs-cbnNEWS.com