Oh boy the Metro
Manila Film Festival never fails to gather controversies. This year it’s
about (labelled) independent outscoring mainstream movie filmmakers. Incidentally, there’s
also no particular one intended for kids.
Despite of these, there many reasons to watch and support the 8 selected
entries of 2016 MMFF movies.
It’s the change that will benefit the Philippine film industry!
I, myself, like to watch feel good
movies especially romantic and family oriented comedies. It’s natural because every day we’re
exhausted of daily works. We all need breather from serious
matters, right? However watching films is not only pang-aliw, it also offer many benefits both for moviegoers and filmmakers. It's not just a guilty pleasure, but an investment if a movie provokes you to think and do something better in your life.
Let me explain futher the possible implications of changes in 2016 MMFF:
1.
Variety
is very good - In investing diversification and black
swan are reasonable steps to secure profit. It’s because if one
investment (company) doesn’t perform well, the other investments will cover your
losses. In the film industry, not all
moviegoers are into popularity of artists or rom-com. That’s why if they want
to watch drama, horror, fantasy, animated or others they most likely go for
Hollywood movies. In 2016 MMFF entries it’s not about limitation and division,
instead about variety. We can
still produce romantic story naman pero puwedeng animated, horror, action or
suspense thriller. Kaya naman curios
akong mapanood ang Saving Sally
because its unique features (animation with real actors). Nalala ko tuloy ang RPG Metanoia na kasama sa 2010 MMFF.
2.
We encourage local actors to become world-class
talents. IMHO, TV and Movie Personalities who don’t hone their skills because they’re
popular anyway should not be called talents and actors. But of course, how come others
will strive to improve their talents if they don’t have outlets to
showcase their efforts anyway?
Sorry to tell but it seems “arts”
now are only defined greatly by idolism, fanaticism, and commercialism. Eh may
lumalaki ang ulo at nagiging complacent sa ganyan. This is also why I commended actors na tsina-challenge ang sarili like Enrique Gil in Paul Soriano's Dukot
. They tried to do something else na beyond sa comfort zone ni Quen.
3.
A number
of producers/filmmakers/ movie companies will grow and create jobs. When I was a kid, I didn’t mind film credits before or after a movie. What important was if the story had beautiful
story or not. Puwedeng dagdag factor if
I know the actors and IMHO, ganun pa rin naman ang mga bata. They don’t bother if it’s Studio Ghibli, Pixar, Warner Brothers, or Walt Disney behind a movie basta okay at saka
nila magiging favorite ang film after manood.
Ilan na nga lang ba ang alam nating production company ngayon? Isa pa
naman sa magandang outfit noon ang di ko alam kung gumawa pa ang Unitel Pictures na gumawa ng Crying Ladies ( 2003 MMFF), Santa Santita, at La Visa Loca
etc.)
4.
To end the division
between independent and mainstream – I don’t deny that I have also
something with independent films. I tend
to expect less in the cinematography and other technicalities (alam mo yung
akala mo docu lang ng reality show yung kuha). However, I expect more when it
comes to acting, story, and direction. It’s
like there’s certain ambiance that independent filmmakers can do that either a
limitation or artistic feel. Eh hello, a
film is more sensible and worthy if it has beautiful story and superb actors, than mere cool
effects.
If 2016 MMFF can break the wall between mainstream
and indie film especially in the eyes of the audience, then
·
Most likely small players will earn more and
upgrade their film equipment.
·
No discrimination, but equal treatments and
opportunities not only for the filmmakers, but also actors
·
More films to watch
5.
Do you know what happen if only few run an
industry? Monopoly and mediocrity! If
the big players become greedy they tend to do power tripping, exploitation, dictators of what or
what not whether that those are good or bad, and condition the audience that
their mediocre products is their only choice.
Pipila ka ba sa sinehan para makapanood lang ng kung anong available na movie o manonood ka kasi maganda ang palabas?
Note: This is
post is not a rant or against the mainstream, it’s just a sentiment and plea to
my fellow audience.
