Cinemalaya cancels ‘Lost Sabungeros’ screenings, cites ‘security concerns’

Poster of the documentary “Lost Sabungeros.” Image: Facebook/GMA Pictures

The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival axed the screenings of the “Lost Sabungeros” because of “security concerns,” as announced by the festival’s organizers on Sunday, August 4.

The documentary was supposed to be screened on August 8 and 9 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City, however, it had to be canceled due to “security concerns.” However, Cinemalaya didn’t disclose the exact reason why it had to be called off.

The August 8 screening for the documentary was replaced by the Kip Oebanda-helmed full-length film “Balota” starring Marian Rivera, Sassa Gurl, Esynr Ranollo, Will Ashley, Royce Cabrera, Nico Antonio, Raheel Bhyria, Donna Cariaga, Sue Prado, Joel Saracho, Gardo Versoza, and Mae Paner.

Details on the replacement for the August 9 screening have yet to be announced, as of press time.

‘Hindi na independent’

GMA Public Affairs senior AVP Lee Joseph Marquez Castel said on Facebook that the cancellation of its screenings is a win for those who wanted to incite fear, knowing it took almost two years for “Lost Sabungeros” to be brought to life.

“Lahat ng banta, dapat sineseryoso. Pero ang hindi pagtuloy sa screening ng ‘Lost Sabungeros’ sa Cinemalaya ay pagkapanalo ng inihahasik na takot. Halos dalawang taon naming binuo ang docu-film na ito at tinanggap na bahagi nito ang panganib,” he said. “Ngunit sinuong ng produksyon ang peligro, para siyasatin ang pagkawala ng mahigit tatlumpung mga sabungero.”

(All threats need to be taken seriously. But canceling the screening of ‘Lost Screening’ in Cinemalaya is a win for those who incite fear. We produced this docu-film for almost two years and we accepted the challenge regardless of the risks. But the production chose to go on with the risk to discover why 30 cockfighters were missing.)

Castel stressed the importance of journalists especially when it comes to handling information like the documentary’s topic. “Ipikit mo lang ang iyong mga mata at isipin mong sa susunod na tilaok ng manok hindi mo na makikita ang mahal o pamilya mo, anong mararamdaman mo?”

“Sa hindi pagtuloy ng ‘Lost Sabungeros’ sa Cinemalaya, sino nga ba ang tunay na pinrotektahan mula sa mga banta,” he continued. “Sino nga ba ang totoong nailigtas sa anumang isisiwalat ng dokyu? Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. Hindi na malaya. Hindi na rin independent.”

(Close your eyes and think that because of these roosters, you won’t see your loved ones. What would you feel? With the cancellation of “Lost Sabungeros,” who are we protecting from the threats? Who is receiving the protection no matter what the documentary would put out? Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival is no longer free. It’s no longer independent.)

“Lost Sabungeros,” directed by Bryan Brazil, revolves around the disappearance of at least 34 cockfighters under suspicious circumstances in 2021, at the height of the pandemic.

‘Jose Rizal’

Meanwhile, a digitally-restored and remastered classic “Jose Rizal,” originally produced by GMA Pictures, will also be shown during the festival, beginning August 7 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater (MET).

The movie was first shown in 1998 and stars Cesar Montano in the titular role, and directed by the late Marilou Diaz-Abaya. It follows the story of Rizal during his last days, from his trial until his execution, as well as the inspiration behind his two novels that discusses the oppression suffered by the Filipino people during the Spanish rule.