‘The Road’ gagawa ng kasaysayan sa Hollywood!

February 22 2012

Matapos sindakin ang mga Pinoy sa kakaibang istorya at kahindik-hindik na mga eksena nito, Hollywood naman ang susunod na yayanagin ng pelikulang The Road ng GMA Films, na ipapalabas sa buong America at Canada simula ika-11 ng Mayo 2012.

Sa pamamagitan ng isang distribution deal sa pagitan ng GMA Films at ng international film distribution outfit na Freestyle Releasing, mapapanood na commercially sa 50 sinehan sa buong America at Canada ang The Road na idinerek ng internationally-acclaimed director na si Direk Yam Laranas at pinagbibidahan nina Rhian Ramos, Carmina Villaroel, Marvin Agustin, TJ Trinidad, tween stars Alden Richards, Barbie Forteza, Louise delos Reyes, Derrick Monasterio, Lexi Fernandez, Ynna Asistio, at Renz Valerio. Kasama rin sa pelikula sina John Regala, Lloyd Samartino, Gerald Madrid, Allan Paule at Ms. Jacklyn Jose.

Magkakaroon ng isang makinang na premiere night ang The Road sa Mann Chinese Theater sa Los Angeles, California sa ika-9 ng Mayo, at dadaluhan ito ni Direk Yam, mga producers ng pelikula, miyembro ng cast, at maging mga prominenteng celebrity sa Hollywood at international film industry.

“I think this is the first time that a locally-produced Filipino film will be distributed commercially by an international releasing outfit in the U.S. and Canada, and treated like a Hollywood-produced movie. This is not simply a special off-shore screening of a locally-produced film; this is in fact a full-fledged commercial distribution deal, and there’s a big difference between the two,” sabi ni GMA Films President Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar.

“We are very much honored to be able to exhibit the ingenuity and creativity of our artists and directors in the international market. It’s about time that we show the world that we, Filipinos, are not only good in boxing or singing,  we can also excel in the field of movie-making. The release of The Road in the U.S. and Canada is good news not just for GMA Films but also for the Philippine film industry because this would inspire especially our new generation of directors, writers, cinematographers and artists to perfect their skills and aspire for greater heights,” ayon kay GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon.

Ikinatuwa naman ng husto ni Direk Yam ang ibinunga ng ilang taon niyang paghihirap sa pagsusulat ng kwento ng pelikula at pagbuo nito.

“I am very excited for GMA in this history-making and pioneering development for The Road. This opens a ton of possibilities in the international arena not just for GMA Films or GMA Network but also for GMA Pinoy TV. This only proves that quality entertainment of international standards is of high importance to the network,” sabi ng direktor.

Ang The Road ay tungkol sa isang 12-year-old cold case na muling mauungkat matapos maglaho ang tatlong teenagers habang tinatahak ang isang abandonadong daan. Sa pagiimbestiga ng mga pulis, tumambad sa kanila ang madilim na kasaysayan ng nasabing daan – dalawang dekada ng krimen, pangingidnap, at pagpatay. Kaya naman walang nakakatakas sa sumpa ng nasabing daan; ang sinumang magtatangkang pumasok dito ay hindi na muling makakalabas pa nang buhay.

Bago pa man maipalabas sa mga sinehan dito sa Pilipinas, umani na ng magagandang review ang The Road mula sa international film critics na unang nakapanood dito. Sa katunayan ay binansagan ito ng website na KillerFilm.com na “creepy to the extreme.”
Ire-release rin ang The Road sa DVD, Video-on-Demand (VoD), Amazon Prime, Netflix at i-Tunes. Ang nasabing pelikula ay produksyon ng GMA Films, ang film production at distribution arm ng GMA Network.