Sylvia Sanchez unbothered by uneven distribution of MMFF films in cinemas

Sylvia Sanchez (center) with “Topakk” stars Kokoy de Santos (left) and Arjo Atayde (right). Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

While the uneven distribution of Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entries in cinemas has always been an issue, Sylvia Sanchez admitted that it would be ideal for the festival’s entries to be properly allocated, as it would give them better chances at the box office.

Sanchez is one of the co-producers of the Richard Somes-helmed “Topakk” which stars Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, Kokoy de Santos and Sid Lucero. According to the actress, the film has been screened in 38 cinemas.

“May kirot, of course. Hindi dapat i-kompara ang kinita namin sa iba kasi ang layo ng lamang [ng ibang films sa cinemas],” Sanchez told reporters during the MMFF 2024 Gabi ng Parangal in Parañaque.

“Sana dumating ang araw na magka-pare-pareho ang [screening ng] MMFF films, equal sa lahat ng sampung pelikula para kung meron mang comparison, i-co-compare man lahat, laban laban kasi pare-pareho,” she continued.

(It hurts, of course. One shouldn’t compare how much we fared at the box office because there’s a huge difference in the distribution of other films in cinemas. I hope there will come a time when all 10 MMFF films will have an equal chance, so if there would be a point of comparison, everyone would have a fighting chance.)

Arjo Atayde and Julia Montes during the “Topakk” grand media conference in Quezon City. Image: Instagram/@starmagicphils

MMFF entries usually have an equal distribution in Metro Manila-based cinemas. However, reports note that this is not the case for cinemas outside Metro Manila, as it would depend on audience demand in the outlying vicinities of the metropolis and farther provinces.

Despite this, Sanchez said she would rather focus on improving the promotion of “Topakk” while noting that “business is business” at the end of the day. “Imbis na mag-dwell ako sa sama ng loob, mag-dwell ako sa negativity, d’un na lang ako sa pagtutok ko kung paano ko ipo-promote yung pelikula.”

“So ‘yun na lang, positive na lang. Kasi naniniwala pa rin ako d’un sa word of mouth,” she continued. “Kapag maganda ang materyal mo, papanuorin ‘yan kahit anong mangyari.”

(Instead of dwelling on the negativity, I would rather focus my efforts on promoting the film. Let’s be positive. Because I believe in word of mouth. If your material is good, people will see it no matter what happens.)

Positive comments, word of mouth

The actress reiterated that she doesn’t harbor any negative feelings against the MMFF and cinema distributors, saying she believes in the film’s ability to reach out to audiences.

“Explain ko lang kasi baka may lumabas na intriga. Wala talaga. ‘Yung filmfest, sama ng loob? Bahala sila diyan. Basta ako, maayos kami. Lumaban kami kahit 38 lang ang cinema namin,” she said.

“Tapos ngayon, puno na naman [ang mga sinehan]. Kasi nasabik ang mga tao sa action. Kung kulang [‘yung cinemas], sige, prerogative nila ‘yun. Sila yung may-ari diba? Wala tayo magawa n’un. Hayaan mo na,” Sancchez added.

(I just want to explain myself in case controversy stirs. I have nothing against the filmfest. It’s up to them. I know we put up a good fight. We did our best even if there were only 38 cinemas that screened our film. As far as I know, our cinemas are full. This is because people are excited to see a good action film. If the cinemas are lacking, it’s up to them. They call the shots. We can’t do anything about it. Let it be.)

What matters most for Sanchez is the positive comments on “Topakk,” and how it “redefined” the formula of typical action films.

“Para sa akin na baguhang producer, ang daming puri, ang daming positive comments. Ang dami talaga. Nakakatuwa ‘yun. Nakakainspire ‘yun,” she said. “Imbis na malungkot ako, [isipin ko na] pag sumali ako sa Metro Manila Film Festival kailangan maganda materyal ko at kailangan magagaling artista ko.”

(As a newbie producer, I am happy that the film received a lot of praise and positive comments. It inspires me. Instead of being sad, I would rather focus on producing a quality film with good actors in the next Metro Manila Film Festival.)

READ: MMFF 2024 entry ‘Topakk’ brings awareness about PTSD

With this in mind, the screen veteran said the 50th edition of the film festival taught her what interests filmgoers, saying she’s inspired to produce films that would grab the attention of the masses.

“Ngayon action, diba? Next time, alam ko na kung ano labanan, bata. Oh, edi bata naman tayo next time (We produced an action film, right? I know what to focus on next time, the kids. Then let’s produce a kid-friendly film),” she added.