After the announcement of four official entries to the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), three executive committee members were reported to have resigned.
Director Erik Matti announced in a Facebook post that film scholar and critic Rolando Tolentino, esteemed writer Ricky Lee, and investigative journalist Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala resigned from their posts on the same day that four entries to this year’s MMFF was announced.
The entries are “Ang Panday” starring Coco Martin, “Almost Is Not Enough” with Jericho Rosales and Jennylyn Mercado, “The Revengers” featuring Vice Ganda and Daniel Padilla, and “Love Traps #Family Goals” starring Vic Sotto and Dawn Zulueta.
According to MMFF’s announcement, the selections were based on script submissions that were evaluated on the following criteria: 40 percent artistic excellence, 40 percent commercial appeal, 10 percent promotion of Filipino cultural and historical values, and 10 percent global appeal.
Since then, Lee and Tolentino have spoken up on their decision to leave the ExeCom.
Lee states that he chose to join the committee to continue the “reforms” that the 2016 festival started. However, he now sees no reason to stay since recent events make it unclear if these changes will still be implemented.
Last June 30, rules committee chairperson Rolando Tolentino announced his resignation:
While a post on Twitter cites that he cannot reveal much because of a confidentiality clause, he says, “There is love like 2017 MMFF script choices: Some old habits are hard to break.”
May pag-ibig na parang 2017 MMFF script choices: some old habits are hard to break.
— rolando tolentino (@rolandtolentino) June 30, 2017
He adds that MMFF script selections are proof of the divide between commercial interest and quality, and that commercial interests ultimately reign.
Patunay ang MMFF script selections na tunay ang hidwaan ng komersyal at kalidad, tunay din may kapangyarihan ang komersyal interes.
— rolando tolentino (@rolandtolentino) July 1, 2017
They are also proof that there was no interest to remove distinctions between mainstream and independent films, and that indie films were the ones that suffered.
Patunay ang MMFF script selections na walang interes burahin ang indie at mainstream distinksyon. Ang nabura, ang indie.
— rolando tolentino (@rolandtolentino) July 1, 2017
He cites that the movie choices were based on those implementing the rules, rather than the rules themselves:
Thought balloon sa 2017 MMFF script choices: wala naman pala sa rules, nasa implementasyon ang mapagpasya pic.twitter.com/myu68m0HPK
— rolando tolentino (@rolandtolentino) July 2, 2017
Babyruth Villarama-Gutierrez, director of MMFF 2016 Best Picture “Sunday Beauty Queen”, lauded the three for taking a stand:
Some online reactions to the MMFF selection have been negative, touting the entries as a step backwards for the film industry, after the 2016 MMFF featured independent films over the usual commercial offerings.
Image: Screen grab via Facebook/@mmffofficial
Despite the critical success of the 2016 films, the total gross of the 2016 festival was pegged at P400 million compared to 2015’s P1.3 billion earnings from mainstream movies.
The MMFF has yet to select four more entries which will be based on finished film submissions. The deadline is October 30 for regular submissions, and chosen entries will be announced on November 17, 2017.
The festival is also accepting submissions for the Short Film category until September 1, 2017. Selected short films will be announced on September 29, 2017. JB
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