Film and TV director Jose Javier Reyes. Image from House of Representatives livestream
MANILA, Philippines — Before the Philippines could make it to the Academy Awards, the survival of the local film industry should first be prioritized, said film director Jose Javier Reyes during a hearing at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Following Filipina actress Dolly de Leon’s historic Golden Globe nomination, along with many other feathers to her cap after her impressive performance in the film “Triangle of Sadness”, lawmakers on Tuesday discussed House Resolution 451 authored by Deputy House Speaker Camille Villar, which aimed to return Filipino cinema to a “Golden Age” and put in efforts to secure an Academy Award nomination for a Filipino film.
“It’s not a matter of getting there. It’s a matter of being able to be given the opportunity that will do the works which are Oscar-worthy, and I think at this point, what is more important is, more than just going to the Oscars, is the survival of the industry,” said Reyes, who attended the hearing as a resource speaker.
Reyes, who has several notable films such as “Four Sisters and a Wedding” and “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo” under his belt, said the Philippines’ last Golden Age was during the time of critically acclaimed directors Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal, whose “Manila sa Kuko ng Liwanag” and “Himala”, respectively, remained unparalleled classics up to now.
To achieve another such era, the Philippine film industry needs government support, said Reyes.
“That support goes beyond lip service, but then a recognition of the real problems which saddle not only film workers, but most especially, film producers,” he claimed.
Pandemic problems
Reyes pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the driving factors that have continuously hurt the film industry, as it has driven the cost of movie tickets higher compared to before the pandemic.
Film director and producer Carlitos Siguion-Reyna. Image from House of Representatives livestream
Director and producer Carlos Siguion-Reyna, who also attended the hearing, echoed the sentiments of Reyes, adding that the pandemic pushed people to streaming movies rather than going out to the cinema.
“It has driven the audiences more to streaming, and so it’s like two years of where people are locked at home and exposed to films from all over the world through streaming platforms. So basically, our films will have to compete with the world, and that is the reality of it,” Siguion-Reyna said. EDV