Cinemalaya winner says finding a film ‘ugly’ no reason for viewers to campaign against it

From left: Dido dela Paz, Angeli Bayani, Noel Comia Jr. and Yayo Aguila —Photo courtesy of CCP Public Relations

Cinemalaya best director winner Joseph Israel Laban (“Baconaua”) called on industry people to be “more open-minded” and pleaded for them to support filmmakers who are “merely expressing themselves through their films.”

“We’re open to criticism; but I think it shouldn’t have come to a point where people actually campaigned against a particular film because they found it ugly,” Laban said.

“The stuff we read in social media these days are so negative. Some would even go to great lengths at telling people not to watch films that they personally disliked. That’s hurtful to filmmakers who worked hard for their projects,” Laban told the Inquirer after the Cinemalaya awards ceremony held on Sunday night at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

Laban, who refused to elaborate, could be referring to what writer Suzette Doctolero posted on Facebook, telling people to go see Treb Monteras II’s entry, “Respeto,” and not watch Sonny Calvento’s “Nabubulok” because as the title implies, “it is rotten.”

Cinemalaya Foundation president Laurice Guillen also came to their rescue and said that for as long as the work of a filmmaker “comes from a place of truth, it cannot be faulted.”

Guillen then recalled a conversation she had with a film critic in 2004. “He said it takes three films to confirm if a filmmaker is good or bad. If he does brilliantly on the first, look at the second one in case the first was a fluke. Then, give him a third look to see if he is consistent.”

“Respeto” eventually won six awards on Sunday night, including best picture, Jury Prize from the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (Netpac) and Audience Choice.

“Baconaua” bagged the Special Jury Prize for Full-length Feature.

Angeli Bayani (“Bagahe”) beat Sharon Cuneta, Gina Alajar and Angel Aquino in the battle for the best actress trophy. “I honestly don’t know why [I won]. They’re all good actresses. I guess it’s because our material is timely, so it resonated with the judges. It’s not right to claim that it was because I gave a better performance compared to theirs,” the actress said.

“Bagahe” director Zig Dulay brought home the best screenplay honor.

Noel Comia Jr. won best actor for his performance in Thop Nazareno’s “Kiko Boksingero.” Yayo Aguila was declared best supporting actress for the same film, while Pepe Manikan won best musical score.

“I’m still shivering,” said Aguila when the Inquirer interviewed her after the ceremony. “I wanted to embrace everyone involved in our movie. I’ve always wanted to act in a Cinemalaya project. He finally answered it when he gave me something that’s close to my heart, because it’s all about family.”

Other winners: Dido dela Paz (supporting actor, “Respeto”); Lawrence Ang (editing) and Corinne de San Jose (sound) for “Respeto”; Ike Avellana (“Respeto”) tied with TM Malones (“Baconaua”) for cinematography; Marxie Maolen Fadul (production design) for “Nabubulok.”

In the shorts category: PR Patindol’s “Hilom” (best film); E. del Mundo (director) for “Manong ng Pa-Aling”; Karl Glenn Barit’s “Aliens Ata” (Netpac Jury Prize); Marvin Cabangunay and Jaynus Olaivar’s “Nakauwi Na” (Audience Choice Award); Carlo Francisco Manatad’s “Fatima Marie Torres and the Invasion of Space Shuttle Pinas 25” (Special Jury Prize); and Duwi Monteagudo (screenplay) for “Bawod.”