THE Marianas Visitors Authority welcomes the creation of a film office in the CNMI, saying it would bring tremendous gains to the islands’ tourism industry.
“The idea of having a film office or organization that handles the production in the CNMI is a great idea. I would definitely support that,” MVA Managing Director Jonas Ogren said.
He said Hawaii’s film industry has enjoyed great success.
“I think we could enjoy the same benefits here in the CNMI. And of course, an office that’s dedicated to assisting film crew would definitely benefit us,” he said.
He said Hollywood-produced movies like “Windtalkers,” which was about Saipan, could have benefited the CNMI if it was shot here.
“It’s a disappointment and a pity that they never made it out here. Hopefully, the next movie made about the CNMI can be shot at least in part on location,” Ogren said.
Meantime, MVA Deputy Managing Director Vicky I. Benavente said a TV production approached the agency early this year for an advertising project in connection with the showing of “Windtalkers.”
The outfit asked MVA for an initial $50,000 to advertise the CNMI on TV and print prior to the premiere of the movie.
“But we could not support their proposal. We could not afford it,” she said.
The $35 million war movie was shot in Hawaii.
“It could have been a great thing for the Northern Marianas if it was shot here,” she said.
Bestselling author Tom Clancy wrote about Saipan in his novel “Debt of Honor.” Several of his novels were made into a movie, but it is not known whether a Hollywood producer is interested in “Debt of Honor.”
