On October 1, Director Roman Perez Jr. said Filipinos are ready to make movies with the same quality as the Netflix series ‘Squid Game.’
During the media conference for the upcoming film House Tour, Perez clarified that the only issue in mounting a production similar to the Squid Game is the budget.
“Ang ganda sana, kaso ang gastos lang. Kaya ng Pinoy gawin ‘yan, syempre pero kung titignan natin ‘yung Squid Game, nanggaling ‘yan sa batalya royal (battle royal) pa eh. Doon pa rin ako sa konsepto ng Japanese. Pangarap ko siyang gawin, gustong gusto kong gumawa ng ganiyang uri ng thriller.”
He also teased that Viva has plans of releasing a film with a similar storyline.
“Ewan ko kung ibibigay ng Viva ang ganitong uri ng pelikula sa akin. At parang may gagawin rin ata. Parang ako po ‘yung gagawa. Magastos lang po talaga. Sa Squid Game, makikita mo naman ang laki-laki ng production value, ng production design.
“Siguro sa atin, sa gubat lang ‘to. Mauuwi ito sa Tanay sa ito. Kaya natin ‘yan. Mas kaya natin ‘yan.”
Perez is one of the directors who have several film titles under his belt with Viva. And at times, people compare him with his fellow director Darryl Yap.
Perez noted that he and Yap aren’t competing with each other. He added that they are both trying to help Pinoy films get worldwide recognition.
“Hindi po kami naglalabanan. Parati po namin pinaguusapang dalawa ‘yan. Maraming nagsasabi, ‘o mayroon si Darryl, mayroon si Roman ulit. Si Roman mayroon, si Darryl ulit.’ Magkapatid po kami, magkapatid kami, at kahit sino pang director sa Vivamax, sabay naming hinihila, ipinapakilala sa mundo ang Vivamax.”
He then addressed filmmakers who are now imitating his style in creating movies, saying that he’s glad he’s an inspiration to them.
“Baka naiinspire, mas magandang drive ‘yun para sa akin. Marami tayong naiinspire na tao. Mga aspiring directors, aspiring film makers na galing sa script boy, na naging assistant PA, naging assistant ganito, and then eventually magdi-direct ka pala after no.
“Magandang nagiging inspirasyon tayo. Okay na rin na kopyahin, sige kopyahin niyo ‘yung mga style natin. Okay lang din sa akin. Mas okay lang sa kinopyahan, at maging mas matinong-matino, sabi nga ni Francis M.”
Perez directed films such as Adan and Taya. His most recent flick is the sexy heist thriller House Tour, premiering on October 22 via Vivamax.
The movie stars a stellar cast with Mark Anthony Fernandez, Diego Loyzaga, Marco Gomez, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Sunshine Guimary, and Cindy Miranda.
