Star Cinema withdraws from 'Kimmy Dora'

Author: Reyma Buan-Deveza
Column: Entertainment

MANILA - ABS-CBN's movie outfit Star Cinema has pulled out of Eugene Domingo's launching film, "Kimmy Dora," amid its unresolved issue with SM theaters.

Instead of Star Cinema, Solar Films will now distribute the comedy film produced by new production outfit Spring Films, actor Piolo Pascual announced in a press conference Thursday.

Pascual, along with his friends in show business, established Spring Films to give big projects to deserving artists. "Kimmy Dora," which also stars Dingdong Dantes as Domingo's leading man, is Spring Films' first movie.

Pascual said Malou Santos, Star Cinema's managing director, suggested to him that Spring Films should find a new movie outfit to distribute the film. He said Santos was concerned that the film might suffer if Star Cinema remained its distributor.

"Kasi hindi naman kami produced ng Star Cinema. It's Spring Films. And we need maximum exposure for 'Kimmy Dora.' So, siya na din ang nagsabi na lumapit na kayo sa iba para mapalabas sa SM cinemas," Pascual said.

Despite Star Cinema's withdrawal from the movie, Pascual said he is still indebted to the ABS-CBN's movie outfit for promoting Kimmy Dora.

"At least, talagang hindi nila ako binibigo kapag lumalapit ako. Mahirap lang kasing lumapit as myself at hindi bilang artista," Pascual said.

Star Cinema admitted that it has "collection and computation issues" with SM theaters.

"Ang nais lang naman ng Star Cinema ay maayos na komputasyon, pantay na hatian, at maayos na partnership. Sa madaling sabi---hating kapatid," Santos said in a statement.

She added: "Umaasa kami na maaayos ang sitwasyong ito sa lalong madaling panahon. Aming nilalayon ang isang win-win situation na magbibigay ng karampatang benipisyo sa Star Cinema at sa aming mga partners tulad ng SM."

The dispute between Star Cinema and SM managements reportedly led to the non-screening of "And I Love You So" in all SM theaters.

Reports said the row stemmed from Star Cinema's decision to hold the premiere of the movie at Trinoma. Both parties, however, denied the reports.

Directed by Laurenti Dyogi, Bea Alonzo, Sam Milby and Derek Ramsay are the lead stars of "And I Love You So."

Source: ABS-CBN News