Writers chide Cinemalaya

Writers in the Directors’ Showcase category of the 7th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival are protesting the decision of jury members not to hand out a best screenplay award this year.

Calling the move “a great disrespect to screenwriters,” Jerry Gracio, writer of the drama film “Isda” by Adolfo Alix Jr., said he did not expect such a treatment from the Cinemalaya jury.

“Films that get accepted in Cinemalaya are not ready-made,” said Gracio. “When you don’t hand out this award, it’s similar to saying all the scripts in this category are trash.”

Gracio pointed out that there were instances in the past when technical awards weren’t given, but never for screenplay.

There was no special jury prize, either, for the Directors’ Showcase category this year.

Gracio’s “Isda” bagged the best actor award for Rafael “Bembol” Roco, and best editing for Benjamin Tolentino.

In the hot seat

This year’s Directors’ Showcase jurors are National Artist for theater design Salvador “Badong” Bernal (chair); writer and filmmaker Mario O’Hara; teacher, writer and filmmaker Clodualdo “Doy” del Mundo and director of the Vesoul Film Festival of Asian Cinema Jean-Marc Therouanne. Jacob Wong, director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival, was an additional juror for the New Breed category.

“We all deserve an explanation,” said Kristoffer Brugada, writer of the Joel Lamangan film “Patikul.” Brugada added, “This is surprising not just for [those like] me, who joined the festival for the first time, but also for those who have been part of it for many years.”

“Patikul” won the audience choice award for the Directors’ Showcase category and bagged the best film for children trophy, plus best supporting actor honors for Jaime Pebangco.

Kristoffer Brugada

‘Weird, surprising’

“Bisperas” writer Paul Sta. Ana found the decision “weird and surprising.” He explained, “The basic structure of a film is based on its screenplay. The characters in the film are roles written in a screenplay. The story didn’t come from the director but from me.”

Jeffrey Jeturian’s “Bisperas” won the best film award.

It also copped the best actress and best supporting actress awards for Raquel Villavicencio and Julia Clarete, respectively. Roberto Yniguez brought home the best cinematography trophy and Rodrigo Ricio, the best production design award.

Speaking for the jurors, “Busong” director Auraeus Solito said it was possible that O’Hara and Del Mundo, “both masters of their craft, still adhere to scripts that are very structured and well written.” Solito, who cowrote “Busong” with Henry Burgos, won for the film his best director award. It also won the best sound and best musical score awards for Diwa de Leon.

Bembol Roco (photo: richard reyes)

However, Solito, who recently finished a screenplay development program at the Binger Film Lab in Amsterdam, also pointed out: “It’s the 21st century; we must learn to evolve [or] we will … be left behind. [In Amsterdam] we were taught that the focus should be the heart of the story and that structure no longer matters. What’s important is that you are able to effectively convey the message through your film.”

Taking risks

Of his victory, Solito said, “I’m cool about it. Everything really depends on the judges. Participating in festivals is no different from gambling—you take risks. Look at what happened to (Pepe Diokno’s) ‘Engkwentro.’”

“Engkwentro” failed to win a single award when it competed at the Cinemalaya in 2009, but took home two major awards from the prestigious Venice International Film Festival.

Del Mundo, in a phone interview on Monday, said majority of the jurors agreed to hold the two awards.

The results ceremony on Sunday night marked the end of the 10-day annual indie fete held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.

Gracio’s other work, “Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me,” an entry to the New Breed Full-length Feature category, won the best actor trophy for Edgar Allan Guzman.

Eugene Domingo (photo: richard reyes)

Comedian Eugene Domingo was a shoo-in for best actress, for her work in “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank,” also in the New Breed category.

“I had to eat sh*t to win this award,” Eugene quipped in her acceptance speech. She acknowledged controversial young filmmaker Rafa Santos, who had to issue an apology recently after he earned the ire of theater actors for some remarks perceived as demeaning.

“We forgive you,” said Domingo, also a theater actress. “We’re all united here. Everybody deserves a second chance.”

“Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” won best film and the audience choice award in the New Breed Full-Length race.

“This film examines the way we do things in the independent scene right now,” said film creator Marlon Rivera, also proclaimed best director.  “Let’s inspire more kids, show them different ways to tell stories.” The film also won for writer Chris Martinez the best screenplay award.

“Niño,” a drama by Loy Arcenas, bagged the best supporting actor and actress honors for Arthur Acuna and Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, respectively.

The film, about the fight for the decaying mansion of the once illustrious Lopez-Aranda family, also bagged best production design for Laida Lim.

“Amok,” about a man who runs amok in the middle of the bustling and sweltering intersection of Pasay Rotonda, won the best editing award for Lawrence Fajardo and best sound award for Mike Idioma.

Paul Sta. Ana (photo: richard reyes)

“Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa,” by Alvin Yapan and Alemberg Ang, brought home the best cinematography trophy for Arvin Viola. Christine Muco and Jema Pamintuan shared the trophy for best original music.

Emerson Reyes, creator of the short film “Ang Walang Hanggang Kwarto,” won two awards. His 19-minute movie got the best film and audience choice awards for the New Breed Shorts category.

The Special Jury Prize for Shorts was given to Henry Frejas’ “Hanapbuhay.” Rommel Tolentino, who megged the 17-minuter “Niño Bonito,” was named best director in this category.

Benito Baustista’s “Boundary,” inspired by the tales of taxicab drivers in the metropolis, was the recipient of the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema Award.

The Cinemalaya entries are being screened at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City until August 5.