The Film Development Council of the Philippines
in association with the Cultural Center of the Philippines
presents

An Original Filipino Musical

In its efforts to articulate the Filipino identity through high-quality films, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), in association with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), is proud to announce the production of EMIR, an original Filipino musical originally written for the screen. Award-winning director, Chito S. Roño is at the helm of this landmark project.

EMIR tells the story of a nanny, Amelia, a Filipina from Ilocos who decides to work abroad to help her family. She takes care of the Sheik’s wife who is about to give birth, and later acts as the yaya (nanny)to the newly born, Ahmed – the Sheik’s eldest son. Amelia sees Ahmed growing up, and in the process, introduces him to the culture, values and language of the Philippines. She becomes a mother to the young prince and ultimately sacrifices everything to protect him.

Inspired by true events – the gulf war and an actual meeting with a crowned prince who surprisingly speaks fluent Tagalog and Ilocano – the story of EMIR is an inspirational one, revealing the triumphant and resilient side of being an OFW.

The film will be the 1st movie musical of this magnitude thanks to the star-studded artistic staff hand-picked by Roño – Palanca award winner Jerry Gracio as writer, Neil Daza as director of photography, composers Gary Granada, Vin & Ebe Dancel, and Diwa de Leon, musical direction and arrangement by Chino Toledo (with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra), lyrics by Granada, Gracio and Rody Vera, choreography by Douglas Nierras, production design by Digo Ricio and editing by Jerrold Tarog.

The cast is headed by forthcoming actress and Who will be the Next Big Star sensation, Frencheska Farr. Joining her are fresh new talents as well as tv, film and theatre luminaries such as Sid Lucero, Julia Clarete, Jhong Hilario, Dulce, Bayang Barrios, Bodjie Pascua, Gigi Escalante, Beverly Salviejo, Liesl Batucan, Melanie Dujunco, and Kalila Aguilos.

EMIR has been shooting on-location in Ilocos Norte, Ifugao Province and the Moroccan cities of Marrakech, Ourzazate and Essaouira. EMIR is also the one of first (1st)Filipino films to use the state-of-the-art RED camera which finally ends the era of grainy picture quality and introduces High-Definition cinema to the industry. The fully-orchestrated movie musical will also be in Dolby 5.1 Digital Surround Sound, making EMIR one of the most astounding theatrical experiences of 2010.

“The larger-than-life sets…all the efforts, filming elements, use of top-notch talents and equipment, as well as the excellence of the performance of the different film collaborators of EMIR,raises the bar for Philippine filmmaking,” says Rolando S. Atienza, Executive Producer of EMIR and Chairman of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. “In its own way, the film is an unconventional one… a film no ordinary producer would do. It is truly a landmark movie and will extend the frontiers of Philippine cinema.”

This is FDCP’s first time to produce a movie while the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has already produced the film Hari sa Hari, and the TV series Noli Me Tangere both by National Artist for Film, Eddie Romero.