EMIR is an original full-length Filipino musical written for the screen that extols the heroism of a Filipina OFW. Directed by Chito S. Roño, Emir tells the story of a nanny named Amelia (portrayed by Frencheska Farr). She is an Ilocana who decides to work in the Middle East to help her family. She takes care of the Sheik's wife who is about to give birth, and later acts as the nanny to Ahmed, the Sheik's eldest son.
Amelia helps raise Ahmed and in the process, introduces him to the Filipino culture, values and language. She acts like a surrogate mother to the young prince and is even willing to sacrifice everything to protect him. Along the way, she befriends a Filipino based abroad (portrayed by Sid Lucero).
Based on true events, including the Gulf War and an actual meeting with a crowned prince who surprisingly speaks fluent Tagalog and Ilocano, Emir is a novel cinematic work on the diligence and bravery of a Filipino.
I am actually impressed by EMIR because it employs actors and actresses that are not necessarily among the roster of what are considered among the current mainstream superstar status. The use of unfamiliar actors and actresses in cases like this usually is a good indication that these people were chosen for their roles because of their quality as performers rather than their bankability if they were superstars. The other performers featured in Emir are musical and theater luminaries such as Dulce, Beverly Salviejo, Liesl Batucan, Melanie Dujunco, Kalila Aguilos and Julia Clarete. Adding spice to the Filipino cast are Arabic-looking actors who delineate the roles of the child Ahmed played by Joshua Hourani and Mahdi Varjani and who underwent intense workshops to learn the Filipino language with an Arabic accent.
Rolando S. Atienza, chairman of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and executive producer of Emir feels that Emir will live up to its vision of paying tribute to Filipino OFWs through music, songs and dances that will capture the hearts of the Filipinos. "Let us all be proud of the contributions of our OFWs to the world, and be prouder more than ever, the dream of a world-class film industry becoming a reality."
Emir is full of breathtaking scenes shot in Ilocos Norte, Ifugao province and Morocco, where 70% of the film was shot in high definition with the RED Camera and presented in Dolby 5.1 Digital Surround Sound.
For Nestor O. Jardin, a co-Executive Producer of Emir , the movie is a dream project. "First and foremost, the material is good and the musical genre is something I'm comfortable with. We are also thrilled to have an outstanding artistic team led by Chito S. Roño. I am sure it will be a landmark film."
Atienza adds: "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."
Emir is produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), in association with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Viva Films with the support of the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC).
Emir will open on June 9, 2010 in theaters nationwide.
