Mikhail Red to critics of local movies: ‘Pag gumawa kami ng matatapang, manonood ba kayo?’
Image: Instagram/@red_mikhail
Director Mikhail Red took to social media recently to address those who complain about the local movies in the industry.
The 27-year-old director, who started writing and directing short films at age 15, made a Twitter post on March 3, in which he asked whether those who have too much to say about local movies—such as rehashed storylines, cheap special effects and focus on love teams, among others—would still watch if filmmakers created new and fearless films.
“Yung mga umaangal na nakakasawa na local movies dahil paulit ulit storylines, cheap daw yung effects, puro nalang loveteam etc, pag gumawa ba talaga kami ng bago at matatapang na film, manonood ba talaga kayo sa sinehan or Hollywood parin and sa pirated copy nalang yung samin?”
Yung mga umaangal na nakakasawa na local movies dahil paulit ulit storylines, cheap daw yung effects, puro nalang loveteam etc, pag gumawa ba talaga kami ng bago at matatapang na film, manonood ba talaga kayo sa sinehan or hollywood parin and sa pirated copy nalang yung samin? 🤔
— Mikhail Red (@MikhailRed) March 3, 2019
Many netizens replied to Red’s tweet, with a certain one (@Tarush_weeh) saying Pinoy action flicks just do not sell and viewers are still aligned to the “love team genre.” The netizen also said ticket prices of Pinoy films should be lowered to attract Filipino viewers.
“Casual viewers are still aligned to the love team genre,” the netizen said. “When was the last time we had a Pinoy action flick? It doesn’t sell. Lower down the price of Pinoy films and lobby that foreign films be charged at a higher price. That way you lure back the Filipino viewers.”
Thats why im combining kilig + killing with block Z. Or utilizing studio roster and promo machinery for my subtext horror Eerie. Or working with tech lifestyle companies like Globe for my heist film Dead Kids. Need to be strategic and use genre as a vehicle to reach the masses
— Mikhail Red (@MikhailRed) March 3, 2019
Red, on his end, told the netizen that there is a need to be strategic and to use genre to reach the masses. This is what he is doing with his upcoming horror thriller film “Block Z,” starring Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia.
“That’s why I’m combining kilig + killing with ‘Block Z.’ Or utilizing studio roster and promo machinery for my subtext horror ‘Eerie,’” he said. “Or working with tech lifestyle companies like Globe for my heist film ‘Dead Kids.’”
Another netizen, a certain Dandi (@DandiGalvez), responded to Red’s tweet, saying the problem, it seems, is how some filmmakers have lost hope in themselves.
“Oo, gumawa kayo ng bago at matatapang na film,” the netizen said. “Hirap sa inyo parang kayo mismo nawalan na rin ng pag-asa sa sarili ninyo.”
Gumagawa nga kami. Dito kami sa trenches fighting for PH cinema trying to break the mold kahit hindi na sensible minsan kasi walang nanonood. Then may aangal bakit ang formulaic ng films eh yung formulaic nga ang pinapatronize.
— Mikhail Red (@MikhailRed) March 4, 2019
Red, however, — that filmmakers do make new and fearless films.
“Dito kami sa trenches fighting for PH cinema trying to break the mold kahit hindi na sensible minsan kasi walang nanonood,” he said. “Then may aangal bakit ang formulaic ng films eh yung formulaic nga ang pinapatronize.”
He drove his point further in another tweet by illustrating how the local audience reacts to non-formula films.
As per Red, nobody seems to watch non-formula films, while many watch formula films and complain, at the same time, why local films are mostly formulaic.
*Makes non-formula film
No one sees it.
*Makes formula film
Everyone sees it.Everyone: Bakit puro formula nalang ang pinoy film!? Etc etc
— Mikhail Red (@MikhailRed) March 4, 2019
Red’s commentary comes after filmmaker and producer Erik Matti expressed his concern about the film industry last February.
Matti, then, lamented the low box-office sales of recent movie releases, how no one gets to see the movies they make except for sporadic mega-hits, and wondered whatever happened to the local audience.
He also called on the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) not to give the impression abroad that Philippine cinema is robust “when in fact back home we are dying.”
“I am appealing to the good heart of the FDCP,” implored Matti. “Please don’t let our films gather dust like the trophies on our shelves.” /ra
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