Award-winning Filipino director Njel De Mesa mentioned the challenges of filming "Malditas In Maldives," the first local film to feature the beauty of The Maldives, a country threatened by climate change and at risk of disappearing by 2050.

In a recent interview, director Njel expressed his appreciation for the commendable cooperation of the movie stars Arci Munoz, Kiray Celis, and Janelle Tee during the challenging filming in the Maldives. 

"Pinasara namin yung resort during the filming. Kung hindi ko kaibigan yung mga artista sa 'Maldives,' I wouldn't have survived the shooting," Njel said.

(We closed the resort during the filming. The actors in the Maldives were not just my colleagues but my friends. Without their support, I wouldn't have survived the shooting.)

Njel added: "I lost my camera equipment, like the underwater camera. Nabalikan naman pero naghagilap talaga kami. May sakit si Arci for two days in Maldives. Hindi ako makapag shoot dahil may sakit siya tapos nawala rin luggage niya. Buti na lang nagtago si misis ng isang set ng costume sa carry-on luggage n'ya." 

(I lost my camera equipment, like the underwater camera. It was returned, but we struggled. Arci was sick for two days in the Maldives. I couldn't shoot because she was ill and had lost her luggage. Fortunately, the wife hid a set of costumes in her carry-on luggage.)

Njel also mentioned that the Maldives locals were friendly despite their country's challenges.

According to NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey, at the current rate of global warming, nearly 80 percent of the Maldives could be uninhabitable by 2050. It is said to be the smallest country in Asia.

"Nag kumahog na rin kami kasi mawawala na ang Maldives due to climate change. Sana ma-remind din ang mga tao (about climate change) when they watch it na this is what we should fight for," the director said.

(We've been rushing because of alarming reports that the Maldives, a place we've come to love, will disappear due to climate change. I hope people will be deeply reminded (about climate change) when they watch it that this is what we should fight for.)

"Malditas In Maldives" is about three warring vloggers stuck on an island in the Maldives to feature a resort who quickly realize they might be in paradise—or purgatory—when their plane is reported missing.

Njel said "Malditas" is one of his two films in competition at the inaugural Jinseo Arigato International Film Festival, which will be held in Nagoya, Japan, from May 25 to 26.

The second film in competition is "Must Give Us Pause" starring Shaneley Santos and Cheska Ortega. Both films are produced by NDM Studios.

Njel said Jinseo Arigato is the first international festival in Nagoya, home to many Filipinos. There will be an awards night during the festival, but he's not expecting anything. "We just want to have fun during the festival."

The director stated that he and some members of the Philippine team would travel to Japan on May 17, followed by the stars.

"Lilipad kami ng Japan on May 17. We will check the projectors to make sure they work when we screen the movies. Doon sila makikitulog sa office ko sa Japan. May Pinoy Big Brother house kami roon. Aayusin namin yung lugar," he said.

(We will fly to Japan on May 17. We will check the projectors to make sure they work when we screen the movies. The stars will sleep there in my office in Japan. We have a Pinoy Big Brother house there. We will fix the place.)

"I'm so happy na yung mga napili kong artista ay magkakasama sa house. Pare-pareho sila ng ugali. Lahat sila ay walang kaartehan at humble sila," Njel said.

On questions he did not hire big stars for his movies except for Arci and Kiray, Njel answered: "They are not big stars pero mga kaibigan ko yung mga kasama ko. Parang naglalaro lang ako. Nag eenjoy ako na kasama ko sila."

Njel mentioned that, apart from being pleasant on and off camera, the actors in his movies are good actors.

"Pero kahit na kaibigan ko kayo, kung hindi kayo magaling, at hindi n'yo ako hinayaan na maging magaling sa set, hindi rin tayo magiging magkatrabaho. Kung sa ibang tao pwede na yan pero gusto ko pa ng isang take. Pero nakikita ko sa mukha ninyo ayaw n'yo na, wag na lang tayo magtrabaho kasi hindi na masaya.

"Ayoko ng nagsisigawan sa set. Gusto ko masaya sa set. Kasi kung mamatay na tayo wala namang pakialam kung gaano karami ang nakalista sa imdb. Pagdating sa langit pantay pantay lang naman tayo. We just want to be heard, be seen and loved," he said.

Njel said that the NDM Studios had already produced 10 films in two years, except for "Maldives," which was co-produced with Arci. 

The director planned to delete all of his films shortly after they had been showcased at festivals abroad, except for "Maldives," which Arci wanted to stream.

Njel also prayed for the full revival of the Philippine movie industry.

"Nawala na yung feeling na dati naghahabol ang mga tao kapag nalaman nila na last day na yung screening ng isang movie. Hindi pa uso noon ang VHS, DVD at video rentals.

"Unti unti nawalan na ng value ang theatrical experience. Ang pinakamalaking threat ay ang streaming platform. Pero noong pandemic nagkaroon naman tayo ng mga libangan. Akala ng mga big studios it was a profitable endeavor. Ngayon nagkakamali sila. Some say it was a poor business model to begin with," he added.