Scene from “Dear Satan”
Updated 6:14 p.m.
The controversial film “Dear Satan,” starring actor Paolo Contis, was given an X-rating or was not approved for public viewing by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), according to its chairman, Lala Sotto-Antonio, who claimed the movie offended her as a Christian.
Sotto-Antonio said the movie — which drew flak for reportedly depicting Satan in a positive light — was found to be violative of the Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1986.
“It was given an X rating. They have not appealed yet, but it has been found to be violative of the PD 1986,” the MTRCB chief said during the Senate subcommittee on finance’s hearing on the proposed 2025 budget of the board and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
“I have seen the film. I joined the board. I am offended as a Christian. It is not demonic, but it has a different depiction of Satan becoming good. But Satan will never ever be good,” she added.
MTRCB was created by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1986 as a regulatory body that will rationalize and classify “all motion pictures, television programs and commercials intended for public exhibition in theaters and television, and related publicity materials and/or promotional materials, whether imported or produced in the Philippines, for the purpose of local viewing or for export.”
Under it’s Implementing Rules and Regulations, movies that are not deemed not fit for public exhibition, or given an X-rating, are those whose dominant theme are the following:
- The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the dominant theme of the work as a whole appeals to prurient interest and satisfies only the craving for gratuitous sex and/or violence.
- The work depicts in a patently lewd, offensive, or demeaning manner, excretory functions and sexual conduct such as sexual intercourse, masturbation and exhibition of the genitals.
- The work clearly constitutes an attack against any race, creed or religion.
- The work condones or encourages the use of illegal drugs and substances.
- The work tends to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government and/or duly constituted authorities.
- The work glorifies criminals or condones crimes.
- The work is libelous or defamatory to the good name and reputation of any person, whether living or dead.
- The work may constitute contempt of court or of a quasi-judicial tribunal, or may pertain to matters which are sub-judice in nature.
Veteran filmmaker and FDCP chairperson Jose Javier Reyes explained that the movie was part of a Movie Workers’ Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) workshop script about a little girl writing to Santa Claus but happened to misspell his name as Satan.
“And it was Satan who received her wish, her wish list for Christmas. So, Satan came to life and went to the little girl and was humanized by the little girl in the process,” Reyes said.
Last August 23, producers of the upcoming film “Dear Satan” announced that they would change the movie’s title to “better reflect its intended message,” following concerns about its potential impact on viewers.
The film also features Sienna Stevens and Aya Fernandez. It centers on the triumph of good over evil through the “power of faith.”
In a statement, Mavx Productions Inc. apologized to viewers for causing “any offense or discomfort” with the title and that it was not their intention “to hurt or disrespect anyone’s religious beliefs.”
“Dear esteemed viewers, we hope this message finds you in good spirits. We are reaching out to address some concerns that have been brought to our attention regarding our recent film, ‘Dear Satan,’” the statement read.
“First and foremost, we want to extend our deepest apologies if the title of our movie has caused any offense or discomfort. It was never our intention to hurt or disrespect anyone’s religious beliefs. Our aim has always been to create content that entertains while conveying meaningful messages,” it added.