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| from Wikipedia |
This year's Metro Manila Film Festival is probably a bit of a surprise to millions of Pinoy moviegoers as the
selection is totally different from what this generation is familiar with. Since 2000’s, the festival has churned out
entertaining movies instead of quality films that it was known for during the
seventies. In fact, the MMFF is noted for contributing to what is known as the other “Golden
Age of Filipino Movies.” Since 1976,
this festival showed classics like Araw-Araw Gabi–Gabi, Diligin Mo ng Hamog
ang Uhaw na Lupa, Banta ng Kahapon, Minsay Isang Gamu-Gamo, Insiang, Bona,
Ganito Kami Noon Paano Kayo Ngayon, Himala, Haplos, Kisapmata, Burlesk Queen,
and many others.
MMFF: from Quality to Inanity
However, the festival
turned ugly during the late eighties where movies like “Patrolman” and “The
Untold Story of Melanie Marquez” reaped awards.
Since then, franchise movies like “Enteng Kabisote,” “Ang Panday,”
“Tanging Ina” “Shake, Rattle and Roll" lorded the festival. Prompting some kibitzers that the festival is
no longer a showcase of quality films but a presentation on different
stupidities of Pinoy movies. Perhaps, it
was the fault of the MMFF selection team which preferred commercial, instead of quality
films; focusing on box-office returns instead of Philippine cinema's pride.
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| Images from Wikipedia |
MMFF's 2016 Surprising Lineup
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| Announcing the 2016 Movie Line up Image from Wikipedia |
Thus, when the movie
lineup of the 2016 edition of Metro Manila Film Festival was announced, many were surprised; like with other editions, controversies already hounded the
festival. Some moviegoers were
disappointed that no movies for kids were selected; instead, the
festival is like a showcase of independent films this year. There are even those who already predicted
that the festival is doomed from the start in terms of box-office gross. They are betting that it would take a miracle
for this year's festival to gross just even one fourth of what previous years
has achieved. The naysayers attributed
it to lack of big stars like Vic Sotto, Vice Ganda, Ai Ai de Las Alas, Kris
Aquino, and some current and hot young stars that will help propel the commercial
success of the festival.
Here are the movies which were selected to compete in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.
Starring Eugene Domingo, Jericho Rosales, Kean Cipriano, Joel Torre, Cai Cortez, and Khalil Ramos
The sequel to the most commercially successful indie movie of all time.
Here are the movies which were selected to compete in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.
Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank Part 2
Starring Eugene Domingo, Jericho Rosales, Kean Cipriano, Joel Torre, Cai Cortez, and Khalil Ramos
The sequel to the most commercially successful indie movie of all time.
Die Beautiful
Starring Paolo “The Transformer” Ballesteros, Joel Torre, Luis
Allandy, Gladys Reyes and Albie Casino
This movie was already shown during the recent Tokyo International Film Festival where Paolo brought home the best actor trophy and Audience Choice Awards. According
to the director of this film, the movie’s inspiration was Jennifer Laude;
the gay transgender who was allegedly murdered by a US serviceman.
Kabisera
With the Queen of Metro Manila Film Festival and Superstar of Philippine
movies Nora Aunor as the lead star and co-starring Ricky Davao, Kiko
Matos, JC De Vera, Jason Abalos, RJ Agustin, Victor Neri, and Ronwaldo
Martin
It is interesting to note
that this movie was rejected during the 2015 selection when only the script was
the basis for evaluation. This is a family drama involving extra–judicial
killings.
Oro
It is considered as a political thriller movie starring the great theater
actress Irma Adlawan, Joem Bascon, and indie film regular Mercedes Cabral.
It tackles illegal mining and takes place in a secluded mining village
disrupted by an armed group which claimed to represent the government and alter
the way of life of the village.
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| Images From Wikipedia |
Saving Sally
This is the only live action animation film in the selection. It stars Rhian
Ramos and Enzo Marcos. This movie
started filming in 2005 and was only completed this year after finding
replacement for the original actress.
Seklusyon
Of course, this film festival won’t be complete if nary a movie that
will scare moviegoers, even though it’s Christmas time. It stars current young stars like Neil
Ryan Sese, Dominic Roque, Elora Espano, Ronnie Alonte, Rhed Bustamante,
Phoebe Walker, John Vic De Guzman, and Jr Versales.
Sunday Beauty Queen
This is a documentary drama and perhaps the first time such
movie is entered in the festival.
It stars Judelyn Acosta, Mylyn Jacobo, Cherrie Mae Bretana, Leo
Solomenio, and Hazel Perdido. This film documents OFWs in Hong Kong as
they take part and prepare for an annual beauty pageant. The movie already premiered during the 2016
edition of Busan International Film Festival in the Wide Angle Documentary
Competition.
Vince and Kath and James
Perhaps, this is the movie
that will top the box-office as it is a romantic teen drama story. It is based on an online series called
Vince and Kath that went viral. The
story is all about two teenagers falling in love through text
messages. It stars Julia Barreto,
Ronnie Alonte, and Joshua Garcia.
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| Image from Inquirer Entertainment |
If you are familiar with
previous editions of the Metro Manila Film Festival, you can say that this year’s
lineup is quite bleak in terms of commercial appeal as the only big star is
Nora Aunor who has a dismal box-office performance since 2008. However, in terms of critical acclaim, the
movie lineup looks promising especially when you have films that are as timely
as today’s headlines.
Why We Should Watch MMFF 2016
Just because the usual
fares are not present, it doesn’t mean that we should not patronize this year’s
film festival. Take note that the dates
intended for Metro Manila Film Festival were already petitioned by American
producers because Christmas season is a lucrative time for films. Thus, we as Filipinos should patronize the 8
films to deny foreign films from lording the box-office during
Christmas holidays. Doing so, you will
support the entire Philippine movie industry which was recently resurrected by
indie films winning international awards. However, this
is not the only reason why millions of Filipinos should watch not only one film
but if possible all of the films. Here are more reasons why.
- For
those who were clamoring for quality films, this is now your time to
shine. Your support will send
signals to movie producers that there is indeed a market for serious and
quality films. This will send a message to Vic Sotto, Vice Ganda, Kris Aquino, and et al. to level up and
produce sensible comedy and horror films instead of the usual inane and
chopstick comedies and scream fest movies.
- For
Nora Aunor fans, this is your time to show the world that the Nora Aunor
fever is still alive. There is now a level playing field and Noranians can
no longer claim that her movie is at disadvantaged as it was not produced
by big time studios like Star Cinema.
Yes, Star Cinema is fielding one movie but it stars young ones with box-office mettle that are still untested.
- For
indie film lovers, this is your time to prove that the first installment
of Babae Sa Septic Tank was no fluke.
Yes, Eugene did highly commercial films after that movie but these
were produced by big companies like Viva and Star Cinema. This time, she’s back to indie. Filmmakers are hoping to see that sequels do work in indie
movies too; not just with Panday, Enteng, and Tanging Ina.
- For
live action and animation films, this is your chance to prove that
Philippines can compete with Hollywood when it comes to such kind of
movie. You must remember that the
last time an animated film competed in this film festival was decades
ago. There are animated films shown but
just for exhibition, not in a competition.
- Flocking
in droves to movie houses during the entire run of the film festival will
inspire big time movie producers like Regal, Viva, and Star Cinema and
other potential movie companies to produce more quality films that will
not only delight local film goers but international movie critics as well. The Philippines has yet to be nominated in
the Foreign Language category of the Oscars and Vietnam already is ahead
of us when its French collaborated movie “Scent of Green Papaya” was
nominated in Best Foreign Language Film category during thr 1993 Oscar Awards.
Image from Rappler - Change
is coming indeed and we should appreciate this change in terms of film selection
for the Metro Manila Film Festival. We cannot teach the young generation to be
intelligent, critical, constructive, mature, and art appreciating citizens
if we serve them with dumb movies. Indeed,
it is time to make youngsters be aware of current realities through movies. This is perhaps why the 2016 movie line-up
deals with current themes like drugs, extra–judicial killing, and vigilante
groups, among others.
- By making the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival commercially successful, we are telling the whole movie industry that moviegoers indeed have the power and right to quality movies. We should not allow producers to feed us low quality films. By exercising this power, we are also telling all those who are involved to shape up or lose their investments. It is time that film producers lose their control over movie goers by heavily promoting inane films and lure people to watch them, only to waste time and money. Let us claim that power to choose what types of movie we want to watch.
So, see you at the movies.
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