BORDERLESS

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BY RHODA GARZON CAMPILLAN
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Traversing a new road

METRO Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is a staple event every Christmas season. Families gather in cinemas to watch film entries. They either laugh because of comedy films; these make them forget their concerns for a while. They sometimes cry because they can relate to the ordeals of the character. They also shout out of fear because of horror films that make their skin crawl.

Every year, Filipinos look forward for Dec. 25 to arrive because finally they could watch MMFF films. However, this year MMFF figures in another controversy. Mano Po 7: Chinoy of Regal Films, Vice Ganda’s The Super Parental Guardians and Vic Sotto’s Enteng Kabisote did not make the cut. Most of the official entries were indie films. One of the official entries is Jun Robles Lana’s award-winning transgender film Die Beautiful.

On Tuesday, Mother Lilly Monteverde, Regal Films matriarch, expressed her disappointment. According to the report of ABS-CBN News, Monteverde is worried that the poor will have no movies to look forward to this Christmas season. She further lamented that when poor people get their bonuses, they bring the whole family to the movies. She is worried that the children will not enjoy this Christmas season.

Coming to the defense of the MMFF committee is Dr. Nicanor Tiongson of the University of the Philippines Film Institute, the head of this year’s screening committee. According to Tiongson, they chose such official entries because he “does not want to dumb down the audience.”

Ogie Diaz, columnist and actor, tweeted that he has nothing against MMFF entries which are mostly indies. He believes, however, that Filipinos want to laugh every Christmas. He ended his tweet with hashtags #Ang PaskoAyParaSaMgaBata and #WagIpagdamot.

Gathering all of these facts and reading the reasons of each one make me realized we are always afraid of change. When we are used to the usual order of things, we want to maintain this. We do not want to embrace change because we are afraid of the unknown.

In the case of MMFF, I am also saddened that “feel good” movies were not included. I agree that the Christmas season is supposedly a happy period spent with family and loved ones. Too cerebral movies like indie films are something new. Yes, we want moviegoers to patronize films which make them think.

However, the committee members also need to consider that majority of the supporters of MMFF entries are the masa. They watch films as a form of bonding with their loved ones and to be entertained. Even for a short time, they can forget the miserable state they experience.

Because this year’s entries are mostly indie films, I doubt if the masa will support them. They already have enough social issues mirrored by their own lives. They want to watch films that will make them appreciate life; that despite their hardships, there is still hope. I am not saying indie films will deprived them of these advantages, however, it is Christmas season, and everyone deserves to be happy.

I suggest that we keep the tradition of MMFF offering “feel good” movies. Perhaps, organizers should come up with a venue where indie films can be showcased. In this way, they can capture their target market correctly. Both film festivals will be successful in their own individual pursuits.

Indeed, change is something that we find difficult to embrace. When change confronts us, we want to hide because we are afraid of the consequences this might bring. On the contrary, there are times that change should also be stopped to preserve tradition. There is nothing wrong in wishing that moviegoers become “smarter” through quality indie films. However, each film genre has its own specific market and venue. I think designing separate events for both genres is a win-win solution. After all, the goal of the organizers is to treat movie goers with quality films that can create impact to their lives.
On the other hand, if this year MMFF is the baptism of fire of indie films, so be it. Let us test the waters and see if we are willing to adopt this new beginning. If not then the organizers should start revisiting their goals. Anyway, there is always next year./PN
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