Local productions’ Italian connection–and fixation

MAINE Mendoza and Alden Richards in scenic Lake Como

FOR A LONG time now, some Filipino movies have been shot in foreign countries, as an added come-on for viewers to make a special point to watch them.

The combination of drama, action and/or comedy, plus an extra “travelogue” component, producers hope, is a “win-win” viewing treat for movie fans, despite the additional expense of shooting abroad.

Thus, way back in the ’50s, Eddie Romero took his cast and film crew to Europe to shoot “Pitong Gabi sa Paris.” In the ’70s, Dolphy flew to Spain for “El Pinoy Matador.”

For their part, Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III topbilled “My Blue Hawaii,” Vilma Santos filmed “Miss X” in Amsterdam. Comedy star Chiquito shot the “Pinoy cowboy” flick, “Arizona Kid” in the ostensibly wild, wild west—with Mamie Van Doren as his “surprise” costar!

More: Alma Moreno filmed “Carnival Queen” in Rio de Janeiro. Aga Muhlach and Claudine Barretto costarred in “Dubai.” Gloria Romero topbilled “From Tokyo with Love.”

Reviewing a list of Filipino movies fully or partially shot abroad, we note that local producers appear to be partial to films shot in Italy.

Some years ago, Piolo Pascual and Claudine starred in “Milan.” And, just this year, that noteworthy preference has been made much more obvious with the current popularity of the concluding drama series, “Dolce Amore,” with Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil—as well as the current hit film, “Imagine You & Me,” costarring Maine Mendoza and Alden Richards.

Why the decided preference for movies and TV series shot in the land of pasta and pizza?

OK, the food is a come-on—but, the deal-maker is Italy’s beautiful, “cinema-friendly” vistas and visuals, which are clearly and persuasively evident in “Dolce Amore.”

The fact that some of the series’ resident characters are exceedingly well-born means that the show has every reason and excuse to delight viewers’ orbs with palatial settings, endless vistas of “manicured” gardens, vineyards, centuries-old towns positively reeking and creaking with history—plus culture and “atmosphere” so thick that you can cut through it!

The fact that Italians are besotted with amore is another big come-on for rom-com-dramas like “Dolce Amore.”

The actors may be Pinoy tisoys, but all they have to do is go with the entire country’s romantic flow!

There are some negative consequences of shooting a romantic drama in Italy—like the Filipinos cast as Italians all tend to talk like Mafiosi! But the plus points clearly outweigh the bad, so—film on!

As for the AlDub movie, “Imagine You & Me,” its main story is set in the “excruciatingly” scenic Lake Como area (we can vouch for its hypnotic, intoxicating allure).

This is the Italian paradise where top celebs like George Clooney own stupendous villas (we can vouch for his great taste and sense of style, as well).

Filming with all that for beatifically  beautiful background, Filipino actors can’t help but look even lovelier and hunkier than ever—as Maine and Alden can gratefully and lover-doverly affirm!