Bea Alonzo’s talent manager Shirley Kuan has voiced her displeasure over recent allegations suggesting that Bea made a series of excessive demands during the production of her film ‘1521.’
Among the reported issues was a dispute over the costumes provided for the film, with claims that only one outfit was offered, sparking concerns about how it would remain clean throughout filming. This led to Bea having a duplicate costume made at her own expense.
Kuan expressed her frustration at the allegations, asserting that the demands made by Bea were far from unreasonable. She also highlighted the lack of clear communication regarding production arrangements, even mentioning that she had to request a Zoom meeting to address these concerns, especially since they were on the verge of heading to the film’s shooting location.
Despite these recent controversies, it’s important to note that ‘1521’ was, in fact, produced last year. Viewers who attended its roadshow presentations in the United States have commended the film’s quality and its valuable insights into the history of Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines.
Furthermore, Bea Alonzo’s performance in the film has received positive reviews, though some comparisons have been made to other period dramas, with particular mention of Barbie Forteza’s portrayal on television.
However, the main issue appears to be the film’s performance during its roadshow screenings in the United States, where attendance was notably low, sometimes consisting of just three or four viewers.
As a result, the film is considered to have underperformed in the U.S. market. This may pose similar challenges in the Philippines, as it seems Filipino audiences may not be as enthusiastic about this particular type of historical narrative, unless, of course, it gains official endorsement for educational purposes, such as from the Department of Education (DepED).
Consequently, the film’s prospects for success in its domestic release may face certain obstacles.
