Critics Lamented Films they Consider Trash have Led MMFF Box-office Competition
In a report released by yahoo.com, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo ordered the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to welcome the country’s well-known film commentators, including those in the academe, to get involved in the choosing films that should participate in the coming Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) seasons.
Criticisms over the alleged lack of quality movie productions that qualified to the recently-held Metro Manila Film Festival has prompted the chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development to push for changes in the conduct of the annual project.
“We will ask the MMDA to institutionalize the involvement of film critics in the choice of films participating in the film festival to assure us qualify films,” “Filipino artistry and talent should be emphasized,” Castelo said.
Critics lamented that films they consider trash have led the box-office competition.
Some of them noted film producers have been cashing in on the fact that Filipinos, who have much time to spare due to the holiday break are given little choice in the MMFF but to see entertaining but poorly produced films.
“While profit should be guaranteed participants, it would be best for producers to enter films that will promote Filipino movies as better than foreign films,” said Castelo.
He added: ”We are always open to any improvement in the film industry year round, not only in the MMFF.”
However, Citizens Battle Against Corruption Partylist Rep. Sherwin Tugna warned that review of entries and content would constitute a violation of freedom of expression.
“Unless the movie shows sexual, lewd content, violence and those content prohibited by law, the state agencies cannot review. It merely on the ground that it is a box office success,” Tugna explained.
The administration solon added: “Let the people judge as to the movies’ values by not watching and patronizing it.”
Film critics noted that the box office competition was limited to films that cannot pass scrutiny as good movies.
They encouraged Filipinos to patronize films like “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” which has been given good reviews but failed to enter the profit line.
photo credit: 9news.ph
