The annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has become part of the Pinoy Christmas tradition. Sadly, it seems like the MMFF elicits more jeers than cheers. It’s unfortunate that the well-crafted films are overlooked because of the sheer hype that the top grossers generate.
As a member of the Cinema Evaluation Board, I was able to watch all the entries in the recent MMFF (except “Kaleidoscope World” and “My Little Bossings”). I was not a bit surprised that “10,000 Hours” bagged tons of awards. Although there were quite a few loose ends in the script, Robin Padilla and Pen Medina’s remarkable portrayals pulled it off. The disclaimer at the end was unnecessary though because it was obviously based on the life story of former Sen. Panfilo Lacson. It was no subtle PR job. Such perfect timing for the rehabilitation czar!
My personal favorite was “Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel” (KDAKP). Eugene Domingo should have won the best actress plum. When I bumped into Uge at Shangri-La Plaza Mall after watching her movie again, I asked her how she felt about the MMFF awards. Ever so humble, she hugged me and said, “Hayaan na natin.”
Some quarters insisted that perhaps the MMFF Awards Night spoof at the end of Uge’s movie did not sit well with the jurors. That was why “Kimmy Dora” was “snubbed” during the ceremonies. Someone from the production team of KDAKP told me they added that segment so they could again establish conflict between Kimmy and Dora, since the prequel ended with the twin sisters being at peace with each other. Be that as it may, it’s one movie I’ll never get tired of watching for a nonstop laugh trip when I’m having a bad trip.
Here are the post-MMFF sentiments of the movers and shakers of the much-anticipated and ballyhooed festival.
CHITO Roño
CHITO ROÑO (Director, “Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill”)
I’m not sure what to say about MMFF this time. I was hoping they (jurors) would at least recognize our efforts but like many times before, [such were] ignored, even in nominations. The MMFF awards is still far from being matuwid. Instead of encouraging the art or the craft, they continue to trample on it by being agenda-oriented or making totally idiotic nominations and recognitions. Every producer wants a piece of the box office but the MMFF can’t even protect the exhibition of its own selections.
JOYCE Bernal. PHOTOS BY ARNOLD ALMACEN
JOYCE BERNAL (Director, “10,000 Hours”)
I’m hopeful for a better MMFF. No matter who runs it—whether the MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) or people from the industry. I keep hoping that we will have a golden year or golden era of Philippine cinema.
WENN V. DERAMAS (Director, “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy”)
WENN Deramas
Consistent naman ako sa stand ko pagdating sa awards and choices ng mga nananalo—respeto sa mga pinili at maging masaya na lang sa mga nanalo. I cannot say na mali ang choices ng mga jurors dahil [noong] 2010, humakot din ng awards ang pelikula ko at ako mismo ay nanalo rin. Kung sasabihin kong mali choices nila, mali ang pagkapanalo ko noon. They have their own reasons/criteria for judging.
ROSELLE MONTEVERDE (Coproducer, “Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay”)
Nothing much has changed in the MMFF. The movie that gives family entertainment is still trendy. Regal had one entry this time—which was “Pagpag,” coproduced with Star Cinema—and we were surprised with the reception of the movie. The gross was way beyond our expectation and it’s still doing very well.
NEIL ARCE (Executive producer, “10,000 Hours”)
Winning the three best picture awards (FPJ Excellence Award, Gat Puno Villegas Cultural Award and the festival best picture award, with three different sets of jurors) made our hard work for over a year worth it. We are also grateful for the other awards we won. Box office-wise, I hope we end up fourth by the end of the festival. Congratulations to the top grossers. No one can question success and once again, you have made our fellow Filipinos happy. I didn’t get to watch all the films, so I can’t comment about them. All I can say is that all of us really worked hard on our movies. So we all feel that our movies deserve recognition. I can’t blame the others because I know they gave their all, too.
CHRIS MARTINEZ (Director, “Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel”)
When the Inquirer came out with the full story last Sunday about my laments on the selection process of the MMFF jurors, I felt better already. At least napag-usapan on a national level. Our producers will not take it sitting down and I support them. I am not dreaming naman na mako-correct pa ito. What’s done is done. But it has to be pointed out. Kailangan mapag-usapan.