A poster of the film “Dear Satan” starring Paolo Contis and Sienna Stevens. Image: Courtesy of Mavx Productions, Inc.
The producers of the upcoming film “Dear Satan” announced that its title will be changed to “better reflect its intended message,” following concerns about its potential impact on viewers.
The upcoming film — starring Paolo Contis, Sienna Stevens and Aya Fernandez — centers on the triumph of good over evil through the “power of faith.” Details on the plot and premiere date are yet to be revealed.
Many netizens claimed that the movie’s title might send a wrong message to children. Others noted that it might “seemingly portray Satan in a positive light,” possibly contradicting Bible teachings.
In a statement on Facebook on Friday, August 23, the film’s production company, Mavx Productions Inc., apologized to viewers for causing “any offense or discomfort” with the title, saying it’s meant to tell the story of faith and the “goodness of the Lord.”
“Dear esteemed viewers, we hope this message finds you in good spirits. We are reaching out to address some concerns that have been brought to our attention regarding our recent film, ‘Dear Satan,’” the statement began.
“First and foremost, we want to extend our deepest apologies if the title of our movie has caused any offense or discomfort. It was never our intention to hurt or disrespect anyone’s religious beliefs. Our aim has always been to create content that entertains while conveying meaningful messages.”
Mavx then said the film is meant to “explore the theme between good versus evil,” which will be done through the perspective of an “innocent child” who is “guided by faith and the goodness of the Lord.”
“The concept behind ‘Dear Satan’ was conceived with the goal of exploring the theme between good versus evil, showcasing how an innocent child, guided by faith and the goodness of the Lord, can resist temptation and embody the virtues of righteousness,” it said. “The film is a narrative about the power of faith and the triumph of good over evil. We wanted to illustrate that, despite the presence of evil in the world, faith and virtue can prevail.”
This led to the production company confirming that the film’s title would be changed to showcase its message better and bring it closer to the audience. Mavx has yet to announce the film’s new title as of this writing.
“We have decided to change the title of the movie to better reflect its intended message and to honor the sensitivities of all our viewers. We believe this change will help align the film more closely with its moral core and ensure that it resonates positively with our audience,” it said.
Following the announcement, Mavx urged viewers to see the movie with an “open mind and heart” to understand its story better.
“We sincerely invite you to watch the film with an open mind and heart. We believe that, upon viewing, you will understand the story we sought to tell: a narrative about the strength of faith, the importance of goodness, and the triumph of virtue,” it said.
“Thank you for understanding and continued support. We value your feedback and are committed to creating content that is both respectful and impactful,” added the production company.
“Dear Satan” is Contis’ newest film project after “A Journey,” which starred his “Tabing Ilog” co-stars Kaye Abad and Patrick Garcia and “Fuschia Libre.”
Meanwhile, Stevens appeared in the Kapuso drama “Royal Blood” as Dingdong Dantes’ onscreen daughter.