THE DANCE sequence in the TV preview strongly recalls the rousing ?Jai Ho? ending in ?Slumdog Millionaire,? but otherwise, ?Emir,? an original Filipino musical previously written for the screen, has Filipino identity indelibly stamped on it.

?Emir? tells the story of a nanny, Amelia, an OFW from Ilocos whose work involves taking care of Ahmed ? the Sheik?s eldest son. Typically, she becomes mother to him and introduces the young boy to the culture, values and language of the Philippines.

Inspired by true events ? the Gulf War and an actual meeting with a crowned prince who surprisingly speaks fluent Tagalog and Ilocano ? the story of ?Emir? reveals the triumphant and resilient side of being an OFW.

The film will be the first movie musical of this magnitude thanks to the star-studded cast and crew. Aside from award-winning director Chito Roño, it has Palanca award winner Jerry Gracio as writer, Neil Daza as director of photography, composers Gary Granada, Vin & Ebe Dancel and Diwa de Leon, musical direction and arrangement by Chino Toledo (with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra), lyrics by Granada, Gracio and Rody Vera, choreography by Douglas Nierras, production design by Digo Ricio and editing by Jerrold Tarog.

The cast is headed by Who Will Be the Next Big Star sensation, Frencheska Farr, with TV, film and theater luminaries Sid Lucero, Julia Clarete, Jhong Hilario, Dulce, Bayang Barrios, Bodjie Pascua, Gigi Escalante, Beverly Salviejo, Liesl Batucan, Melanie Dujunco, and Kalila Aguilos.

?Emir,? produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines in association with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, has been shooting on-location in Ilocos Norte, Ifugao Province and the Moroccan cities of Marrakech, Ourzazate and Essaouira.

?Emir? will be released in June 2010. ?