Brillante Mendoza: ‘Ma’ Rosa’ to join MMFF this year

(UPDATE) Internationally acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Brillante Mendoza revealed on Wednesday that his latest opus “Ma’ Rosa” will join the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) this December.

The film, a social-realist drama about poverty and corruption, was the country’s entry for Cannes Film Festival this year.

It won Best Actress award for Filipina veteran actress Jaclyn Jose.

READ: All hail Jaclyn / Cannes best actress Jaclyn Jose back home

“I already asked the [MMFF] committee if that’s possible. They said it’s okay, for as long as it won’t have any commercial screening before the festival,” Mendoza said during a homecoming dinner at Makati Shangri-la Hotel.

As a rule, “Ma’ Rosa” has to pass the selection process, just like other films before it becomes part of the official lineup in competition at the MMFF.

Mendoza added the film will still make rounds at other international film festivals for the coming months.

Last April, the new executive committee of the MMFF has voted to have “finished products” as basis for selection of entries.

Noting “artistic excellence” as a top criteria starting this year, the MMFF now vows to be “a festival that celebrates Filipino artistic excellence, promotes audience development and champions the sustainability of the Philippine movie industry.” TVJ