The type of films Filipino filmmakers make reflect the type of people most Filipinos are — people lacking in substance. Just looking at the list of entries for this year’s Manila Film Festival, you can already tell that not a lot of thinking was involved in the process of making them. Even the titles leave nothing to the imagination of the audience. Most of the actors playing the lead roles are the same ones we’ve seen since we were kids or some hot young flavor-of-the-month of one producer or another.
Kraken rip-off
Take the 13th instalment of Shake, Rattle and Roll, and ask: What else can people expect to get out of it? Not much, obviously. People are probably watching it for the eye candy. Every year the film features starlets parading and pouting for the camera hoping to look cute enough to win an award. That’s right. Talent in acting is not really a criterion for winning an acting award in the Philippines.
In the case of the film Enteng ng Ina Mo starring Ai Ai delas Alas and Vic Sotto; the actors had nothing to work with in terms of storyline and dialogue. The characters just basically rehashed their roles specifically with Vic playing his Enteng character from the 1980s TV series Okay ka Fairy ko and Ai Ai reprising her winning role in last year’s Tanging Ina Mo. It’s another one of those things in the Philippines we can refer to as scraping the bottom of the barrel. The producers are obviously milking the franchise until it bleeds.
And what about the new Panday 2 movie? First of all, how does Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr find the time to make movies? Isn’t he supposed to be spending more time deliberating policies in the Senate instead of delivering cheesy lines? Aren’t there enough men to take over the role Senator Revilla inherited from the late Fernando Poe Jr? Second, the new Panday movie is being criticized for being a blatant rip-off of the 2010 Hollywood blockbuster remake of Clash of the Titans. All the film needed was Medusa to complete the cast of Perseus’s nemesis. There was nothing special about the “special” effects either.
How do these filmmakers sleep at night knowing that they are not really creating a work of art but just copies of some other people’s work? They are not even making people think; they are not even stirring emotions or provoking people into doing something with their lives; they are not even inspiring young people to aspire for greatness. What they are producing is just stuff you can discard after one use. In short, most Philippine films are a total waste of the people’s time and money.
Films are supposed to be cultural artifacts that reflect our culture and, in turn, affect us and our outlooks towards life. Most films are considered art, for entertainment and a powerful tool for educating — or indoctrinating — society. But nowhere can we find our culture or any significant message of consequence in our films. Films are powerful tools of communicating ideas and who we are as a people. Unfortunately, our films tell us and everyone else that we are shallow and superficial.
Everything well said. As I was saying previously in my wall posts., Philippine Horror Movies are a big joke, and the rest of the film industry is only making more filipinos dumb. Perhaps that’s because the producers are dumber.
Don’t tell me not to generalize. Yes. this is in general. Because what we see are the majority. and there will always be an exception, and sad to say, they’re only part of the minority.
It seems like the only thing that motivates filmmakers is the profit. They don’t care about the quality or the effect of second rate films on the audience. What’s so hard to believe is that so many people patronise it even though most of the films are so dumb.
I agree.. most people were to excited watching trailers of these movies.. but they didn’t really appreciate the real meaning of these movies.. no wonder if you ask some of them about the movie they will just tell you the highlights and the effects on the movie not the real moral values of the film.
I still remember one part of shake, rattle and roll about that evil christmas tree from the amazon and that is waay too cheesy.
Brava hija! You don’t only have the tinggil in-between, but the balls of timid men who cannot tell right from wrong. Don’t get bullied. Get on with it. Ciao!
The Metro Manila Film Festival is a celebration of Pinoy pride – that oft repeated, ridiculous concept that has managed to encompass everything we Filipinos should be working to change. It’s a fete to commemorate the prevailing Filipino outlook, the only feat of which is to make the nation as a whole look more miserable than it already is. I don’t even know why I’m reiterating this – probably out of frustration borne from the stupidity of this whole charade. LOL
It’s neat that places like GRP are sincerely trying, in their own way, to turn the tide. To be realistic though, I think one year from now, another post here (or somewhere new) will be putting to words the same sentiments for another MMFF entry ripping off Wrath of the Titans, the sequel to Clash. Here’s to hoping that in another 12 months’ time, the voice of mindful minority won’t get too lost in the drivel of mindless majority.
You can be sure there will be another Panday and Shake Rattle and Roll next year. Unless of course some independent filmmaker would be brave enough to challenge these old clowns in the Philippine movie industry.
It’s pathetic that Vic Sotto and Ai Ai in still make it to the big screen. They don’t belong there.
MMFF 2011: Same Trash, Different Year.
It’s SOS (same old sh1t).
SOS is right.
SOS is right.
Happy New Year and may God grant more power to your group!
coming soon
Ang Pangulo 2016: Pandayin mo ang kinabukasan ng bayan
pinoys have atrociously low standards – from choice of president to choice of movies to the selection of tv shows to choice of condensada.
there will always be a market for garbage if there are people who are willing to take garbage.
joe america adores and “supports” garbage.
jcc eats garbage, and spews it out here when he visits.
abs-cbn makes garbage and says it does so “in the service of the filipino.”
vincenzo believes abs-cbn’s garbage.
kris aquino endorses all sorts of garbage.
lots of establishment “journalists” come up with garbage, and then publish them instead of keeping them in diaries.
if sen. bong revilla’s movie were ever played alongside other foreign films, say, in europe, he can bet people will walk out of theatres and say his film is worse than garbage. (at least, some real garbage can be recycled.)
someday filipinos will learn to raise their standards and make movies as brilliant as this classic:
Edu was so stiff in that movie. And he seems to be flying sideways…lol.
what’s incredible about it is that this monumental embarrassment (which edu probably wants to never be associated with) was made in post production!
ang galing ng da pinoy! hehe
happy new year get real philippines! thank you for being the few sane people in this country.
Flying sideways? I thought, at one point, he was flying backwards since the building behind him was getting bigger – lol!!
This is the “longer post” you are proud of?
Keep being proud of this. I can see you used (up) your brainpower fully on this one.
oh come on, that was your best shot? grow one please.
by the way, this wasn’t it, genius. use your eyes (kahit mata ng pigsa kung yun lang meron ka. use them, please!).
I find it really hard watching politicians do tv shows and movies. It’s like me being a high school student but cutting classes. My parents money going to waste on me playing video games every single day. Every time I see them I blurt out “and we are paying them to work?”. Support the local movie industry they say… give us good movies first.
I’m appalled tax payers don’t mind their Senators doing movies and their Congressmen going to boxing matches.
Kasi profit-oriented sila at ang biggest market sa Pilipinas ay hindi naman ganoon kataas ang standards when it comes to making these films.
Pang Masa ika nga, that’s why hindi nacacater lahat.
Hindi rin naman maaappreciate ng nakakarami yung Indir films, and let’s face it : Hindi maiintindihan ng maraming Pilipino ang movies na may substance. Gusto nila ng mababaw, makulay, maraming artista, paulit ulit.
Chicken-and-egg situation ika nga…
The only way that you’ll get good movies is if all producers convene and decide to show quality and creative flicks to force down the masses throats.
Unfortunately, that will never happen and even if does, the masses have can have their daily dose of the cheesy and cheap via boobtube. Impeachment drama, anyone?
It’s an intractable problem, if you ask me. It’s almost like you need strong state intervention to re-boot the aesthetic faculties of Da Pinoy. The private sector can’t be counted on for that. Delegating cultural education to free enterprise has proved fatal for Philippine society.
They can make low qualify films but they should also make high quality ones for the thinking class. What we have now are just for the non-thinking class.
This is actually doable. All you need is a good dialogue and a good plot minus the multi-million peso budget.. And of course believable actors who are not necessarily famous. Problem is, there is no money in it.
They should do it for the love of filmmaking and to express themselves. Just like what motivates us to write. We don’t get paid to write but we do it anyway for the love of it and to express ourselves.
Apparently, only Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story hit the right notes this year, one way or another. The may neither have the highest gross revenue nor the fancy effects that others have, but the storytelling of the reality of crime is there. But majority of films are just plain screen scum filled with douche bags who want to earn the quickest peso.
But not everyone will want to watch films involving violence even if they say it’s good.
Very well said. MMFF 2011 is just for the dumb. The films were for the shortsighted and happy-go-lucky types; and in this case, it’s the common masses that tend to look for entertainment without substance. The films were of piss-poor shit types that just focuses on romance, fantasy and wishful thinking. And what pisses me more is that most Filipinos can’t appreciate the INDIE FILM industry in which the films focus on SUBSTANCE and CONSTRUCTIVE reasoning.
Most of our countrymen tend only to look at the surface and not digging in deep to the real essence of a A REAL MOVIE. I guess this is one of the many results of a deteriorating mindset of most Filipinos.
But then again, I see a ray of hope in one particular old school gangster movie.
movies such as these overwrite the critical thinking part of the brains of its aficionados. drag them to a film with substance and it would be like “(kalabit) anu dawww??” for the entire hour and half to two hours. that’s why i go to the movies by myself. plus, hindi lahat ng Indie Films ngayon ay may substance at nagi-stimulate ng mga neurons, madami din ang may “substance” at stimulating…nagin “Indie Film” dhil digital ang format..at dahil may gay content. sometimes nakatatak na din sa utak ng mga tao na pag sinabing “Indie Film” may same-sex kissing/love scene etc.
Maybe this is all part of the government’s attempt to downgrade every Filipino’s operating systems. AKML T_T
Too right.
So true on local Indie films. The last Filipino film I’ve watched was an Indie one called Rakenrol and it’s nice.
I think the only movie I will watch is the Asyong Salonga story. Last year, I enjoyed the movie “Rosario” and was disappointed that it didn’t win the MMFF – it should have, instead of the one that won.
As Zeus said in the film “Clash of the Titans”
RELEASE THE KRAKEN!!!
But instead of Kreken, it becomes
RELEASE THE KROPEK!!!
Philippine film industry is pathetic indeed to the core.
lol
naging money-making caravan na ang MMFF these recent years. bumabagsak na ang kalidad ng mga pelikulang kasali. i’m starting to doubt the existence of a “board” that “deliberates” on which films to include. ibang klase…… this is all part of the government’s hidden agenda to downgrade every Pilipino’s processors. AKML! T_T
It reflects so much on who we are as a people for allowing it to happen. This is why I am speaking out. I want to send them a message.
I hope the film-makers read this feedback! Even the choice of winners is surprising. “Rosario” should have won not just best movie, but best direction, actress, and many more!
Another annoying thing about mmff is that even though Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is still showing at IMAX theaters since, of course, no mmff movies being made for that format, they always remove foreign films to make way for their garbage movies only for da pinoy prayd and a very big profit since masyadong maraming ignoranteng pinoy ang manonood nyan using their pamasko from Christmas to New Year making it so uncompetitive to foreign films.
you know what’s more annoying, that outside MMFF, theaters prioritize showing international films over local films.
basically, ang point ng karamihan sa mga nag-comment dito na naiinis sa article na ito ay: bago kayo manghusga tungkol sa lahat ng mga Filipino films, panoorin n’yo naman ang mga dekalidad na pelikula. meron kasi.
obviously, those who can blog and access the internet are those with disposable income. if the indie filmmakers cannot even rely on you guys to patronize their films, no matter how obscure they are, then wala talagang mangyayari. kung kayo, na tinatawag na intellectual elite, na may access sa internet, at di n’yo man lang ma-google ang mga quality indie films at di n’yo malaman na may magandang indie film na pinapalabas, e wala talagang mangyayari.
inasmuch as it’s easy to rant, sana let’s be a little more responsible. there are quality Filipino films out there. you just have to find them out. kung ang mga nagbebenta sa Quaipo ay kilala sina Brillante Mendoza at alam nila kung anong indie film ang maganda, kayo pa, na may access sa internet.
The thing that bugs me is how they had to turn into a big event what could’ve been just another month of mediocre film releases. Ayan tuloy… all the more was highlighted the sorry state of Philippine cinema — how even a major film event could no longer draw the best out of the industry.
What’s so sad about this is that there’s a lot of creative blood and ideas out there who won’t see the light of day because no producer would dare fund them.
WIN.
Have a pleasant New Year, benign0!
Tis is one of the reason I hate during Christmas season in the Philippines, your try to enjoy “good” home grown movies and you can’t.
As a child I used to laughed mindlessly at the likes of dolphy and babalu. But as time passes by I began to soon realize that it was redundant in what they did and more importantly the is no plot ever to their stories.
It takes foreign directors to no the true talent of Filipino actors in movies. It doesn’t take the likes of ding dong dantes or kris Aquino to make good I mean good filipino movie
And my last message to all those filmakers out the to gets a spot at the MMFF. Quit the shake rattle and roll shot and exploit and explore other genres. Like a freakin serial killer who kills corrupt officials for the good of society.
I don’t really understand why they have to make a competition out of the worse films ever made.
They all look good in the beginning but somehow, all of them lowered their standards at the same time. Just adding numbers in the end of the title and doing mashups.
asahin niyo since pumatok yang asyong salonga, next year may gagawa ng action movie na gagayahin ang expendables at sigurado kasama diyan si cesar montano
Everytime I see Panday 2, I always say “Mas maganda NEXT YEAR!” Or better yet…
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7KjxnJQ6GQ&w=560&h=315
Or the very famous one especially in loveteam drama films: “Sana may part 2!”
You don’t even get my point on I’ve posted the video.
Oops sorry about my misunderstanding. My bad. Now I know what you mean.
Sa tingin ko magaling naman yung shake rattle and roll 13 ah, kung titignan natin yung mga direktor na kalahok at ang mga previous works nila, pwede natin makuha na ginagawa talaga nila ang mga pelikula na ito para sa art. Gusto ko rin sana matanong kung napanood mo na nga ba yung mga nakasaad na mga pelikula diyan sa article mo?
Art? Ang baba naman ng standards mo.
I had the misfortune of watching Segunda Mano. What a waste of 195 Pesos.
A waste? It made me laugh so hard, I DO NOT consider it a waste. I knew that I was in for a generic movie with bad acting, figured out the plot in 5 minutes and enjoyed it. There are reasons why people watch these movies. If you want your mind ‘stimulated’ go to arthouse cinemas (don’t ask me where. If your standards are indeed that high to scoff at another person’s choice of mental stimulant, you’d know where they are) and watch Filipino films that will challenge your perception of what intelligent filmmaking is. And if you don’t have time, don’t even dare watch a Lav Diaz or a Raya Martin.
That’s your argument, seriously? “Generic movie”, “bad acting”– well, at least you help in reinforcing what this article wishes to convey. This isn’t about stimulation or standards. This is about the decline of Filipino intelligence, and what you’re saying clearly shows that. MMFF used to be a showcase of great film making, now you’re saying it’s only about making people laugh or making subquality films for profit?
Even if there are “reasons” why people watch these movies, that’s not enough reason for the thinking public not to show their disgust.
@someone
“…now you’re saying it’s only about making people laugh or making subquality films for profit?”
Define a quality film.
And it’s not really the decline of the Filipino intelligence. It’s consumerism and marketability of films that a lot of Filipinos aren’t made aware of.
Probably ’cause it’s the Philippine “entertainment” industry.
if writing panatang makabayan on one of intramuros’ walls with a piece of turd is your basis of what art is, sure let’s call that movie art as well.
taas ng standards mo, dundundun.
Ever heard of the expression “If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all?”
Last Philippine movie that really made me think was Sakay, because it got me digging a bit more of Philippine history. That was YEARS ago. Not holding my breath for anything of that sort again, unless the Ayalas would get into movies.
It seems like the filmmakers have no pride in making an original film. They have pride in copying one from Hollywood.
i deeply lament with all who commented and criticized about how the filipino industry has downgraded and how it has been producing dumb, tacky and, pardon me for the word, sh*tty movies. the only way filipinos can change their perspective about movie watching (that is, making better decisions in choosing good movies and separating them from the bad ones) is if the film industry itself makes an effort in changing them. sadly, the creative efforts of some of our brilliant directors and actors are hampered because of the profit-minded producers who are greedy bastards. i wish that these producers be removed and replaced with ones who have artistic visions for our film industry. that way these directors can be free from the chains of limited funding and can collaborate with these “visonary” producers to create better and substantial films. In turn, filipino moviegoers can learn a lot and be well-informed about how new filipino films with substance can be accepted to the general public. it would still be far-fetchd to say so, since our countrymen have literally low standards of living thus a low standard of films. but still i wait for the day that the filipino film industry will rise from its meidocrity and realize that maybe, their films can make a significant impact to the development of our nation.
It’s the “pwede na yan” mentality at work. I personally would not want to release something out into the public when it’s not perfect or near perfect for my taste.
Since you made this blog post public, I wonder if this is how you define “perfect” for your taste.
well said.
I am deeply moved. It touches the inner core of my being….We share the same vision.
The local movies really sucks. I tried watching it even on cable but no matter how I tried the message it sends me is that it makes me more “stupider”. And they even give ridiculous awards to people pulled out from a large pile of garbage.
You’d be better off reading a book or something.
What book? Nicholas ***Sparks***?
i’m just curious, have you actually seen this year’s shake, rattle and roll? also, have you seen any film from Cinemalaya, Cinema One Originals or Cinemanila film festivals? there are good people trying to make good films but are simply just not getting any support. hopefully, people who have the same sentiments like yours would actually go out of their way to watch quality Filipino films.
Are you actually saying that Shake, Rattle and Roll was good?
If you are, then that says a lot about your taste. And since I don’t share your preference in films, what makes you think I will like the other films that you’d recommend?
For arguments sake, let’s just say that the films from Cinemalaya, et al are better. But the fact that Filipinos would rather watch low brow films like Enteng ng Ina mo says a lot about who we are as a people.
Besides, if those indie films were really good, it would have an underground following and would eventually catch the attention of the “gaya-gaya”.
you have not answered my questions.
have you seen this year’s shake, rattle and roll?
walang kinalaman kung anong type ng films ang gustong panoorin ng masa. ang tanong ko: IKAW? nanood ka ba ng mga pelikulang pinapalabas sa mga festival na ito.
the fact that you don’t know which films to actually patronize and to have everything blanketed as “gaya-gaya” lang or “you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all” make me lose any form of respect for what you have posted. you seem to be the type of blogger who simply just rants and rants but does not do something.
if you simply blanket a Filipino film as bad, regardless of who made it, then you are, in your own form racist. and by not even watching any of these, not patronizing any of the “good” ones, then take makes you as bad as the “masa” that you’re criticizing.
It’s not about criticizing or being racist. Or worse, you’re missing the point of this article.
Once in a while we have point missers who visit this site. They let their emotions get in the way of objectivity.
Wahaha.
Teh, akala ko ba insightful dapat ang mga articles ninyo dito? Kung hindi mo type at rip-off para sa iyo ang mga pelikulang hindi mo pa napapanood, hindi ibig sabihin, basura na kaagad. Naka-ugat kasi iyan sa kasaysayan at kultura ng “masa” (which by the way, how insensitive can you be).
Mabuhay ka! Magsulat ka pa ng mga ganitong artikulo! We are really enlightened!
@Boom
Did you learn anything from watching Panday 2?
Let me just quote myself:
“Unfortunately, our films tell us and everyone else that we are shallow and superficial.”
@Alem
If you paid me to watch Shake, Rattle and Roll, I’ll probably, just probably, watch it.
You are missing the point. Why do I have to see the new film just so I can come up with an analysis that most (I’m not saying all) Filipino films do not have any substance? Give me a break.
Don’t insist that the film is good when your taste is different from mine. What you think is “good” may not be good to other people. And by the way, this is not just my opinion. A lot of people agree with me.
Here’s another point that you missed: if something is good, the news about it will travel fast and more people will demand to see it. Even the “greedy” producers will be willing to spend money on promoting it.
If there are indeed “good” films as you claim, then what happened? The answer is simple, they weren’t good enough.
“Besides, if those indie films were really good, it would have an underground following and would eventually catch the attention of the “gaya-gayaâ€.”
This is quite a naive and immature statement. The harsh realities of local film distribution and unfair competition with major studios often leave independent films at a great disadvantage. Instead of making blanket conclusions about Filipino films, why don’t you seek out the possibly good ones? Try attending Cinemalaya and Cinema One festivals. If you’re just waiting for the “gaya-gaya” to latch on to them, aren’t you one of the “gaya-gaya” also? However if you’re as intelligent as your blog post implies, then the intelligent films are just right under your nose. They just don’t have as much resources to publicize because the major TV networks and their film arms have firm control over the mall cinemas.
Well see that’s the thing. Life ain’t fair. That’s pretty much the story of Da Pinoy. Step back and regard the landscape of the plight of Pinoys beyond the movie industry and you will see a similar pattern: For every one or a handful of brilliant, high-achieving, and exceptional Pinoys, there will be a million who will represent their antitheses.
It’s called the tyranny of the masses. Even the very President himself reflects that reality — while there is a minority who will have voted for qualified politicians, we instead have to be stuck in a country where the moronic preferences of millions of bozos routinely trump the sensible choices upheld by the thinking minority.
It’s called “the Philippines”. Deal with it.
“It’s called ‘the Philippines’. Deal with it.”
The way you types that made it seem that you are actually happy about that.
Benigno, yes, I’m dealing with it. My whole career is devoted to “dealing with it.” That’s why I make movies in both indie and mainstream circles and avoid making generalizations based on shallow observation.
How do YOU deal with it?
@Jerrold
Sorry, but you have missed my point. What I am trying to say is this: if the film is good, you won’t be able to stop people from talking about it. When people are talking about it or if there’s enough “buzz” around it, then more people will watch it. When more people are demanding to see the film, the “greedy” producers might say, “Hey, I think there is now more demand for intellectual films. I think I might produce one“. Even the film distributors will give the film “fair” competition.
If I were a filmmaker for example, I’d look at what people would want watch and make one that is more intellectually stimulating. I don’t think it would be hard to make an action film that has a convincing storyline in the first place. I can even make one if I had enough time.
Not everyone has the time and luxury to watch all the films showing in cinemas. Some people rely on film reviews by film critics. If there is not enough information written about some so-called “good” indie film, people aren’t going to waste their time on it. That is the harsh reality.
Like I said in an earlier comment, what you think is good may not be good for other people. Validation doesn’t come from getting the number of “likes” about your film from your friends. It comes from the number of “likes” from strangers.
@Ilda
You’re talking about word-of-mouth. As with this site’s name, let’s GET REAL then. Do you know how many intelligent, commercially-viable films with positive word-of-mouth have been killed at the distribution end because of the influence of major networks and the politics behind it? If you set out to make your action film, do you honestly know how to run it through the entire distribution chain and be confident that “greedy” producers and noble distributors will have a change of heart? You’re making yet ANOTHER statement based on what little you know, much like your article and its irresponsible title.
Anyway, I’m done here.
We have Benigno, who’s apparently convinced of his own brilliance and his smug cynicism, and you, who readily makes blanket statements about an entire industry from the outside, without even knowing how the machinery runs. I wish both of you well in your chosen paths. I’m going back to work.
@Jerrold
I already get the point about your claim that some “intellectual” films go straight to the shelves because of the distributors. But then that says a lot about the people running the film industry, doesn’t it? And if they say that they are only catering to the what the people want, then that says a lot about the people, doesn’t it? Shallow and superficial.
You gotta make more commercially acceptable films that can make people think. It doesn’t have to be the opposite extremes.
There’s the false dichotomy at work there — the flawed notion that a high-quality work of art cannot also be a commercial success.
Aaaand your last paragraph says a lot about you, especially the emerging fact that you don’t even watch films from Cinemalaya or Cinema One.
If you do, you’d know that some of them are commercially-viable and not “intellectual” at all. These films are just not given the chance by major studios AND mall chains. Once again, politics.
Please do yourself a favor and educate yourself so your next articles about Philippine Cinema will have some measure of authority. “A consumer’s viewpoint” is not an excuse. You have a mission statement in this site. Panindigan niyo.
I hope Benigno does the same. I get that he’s goading the trolls by playing the jerk but, with little exposure to Philippine Cinema, well…sad to say, he’s just being a plain jerk.
Okay? Nood kayo ha. We’ll be waiting for you.
Precisely the point I make. You guys are the insiders and therefore are in the better position to push change. We’re outsiders and only comment on what we see. That said, the customer has spoken — and it is not a pretty message for you guys obviously. The solution is a complicated one. But we’re on the same side, you see — just different industries. We are a small blog up against Media behemoths that are force-feeding drivel into the gaping mouths of the Pinoy masa. You are small “indie” film makers with quality on your side but lacking in industry political clout and jolog-appeal.
Obviously you and your peers need to get a bit more creative with the way you step up to challenge Goliath. You need to find yourself and get in bed with the equivalent of a Miramax to channel your work into the mainstream. Your disdain for “jerks” is an obvious hindrance to getting that fire into the way you push your work to a wider audience. The Weinstein brothers certainly aren’t the non-jerks you seem to prefer to consort with.
If we apply what you suggest to our line of work, that will be tantamount to appealing to our readers to “educate” themselves in the detail of the politics we analyse here so that they can better “appreciate” the work we do. That won’t fly of course. We need to take it upon ourselves to both analyse the politics and deliver it in a more intuitive form that can be digested by our readers.
@Jerrold
I didn’t say they are all “intellectual”. Someone referred to them as such. I just repeated it.
You answer this question then: why do you think the major studios don’t give them a chance?
You should be able to answer that one. If you blame them for not getting any attention, then you should accept that there is something wrong with our culture.
@Ilda (and I suppose this applies to Benigno as well)
Read carefully:
I’ve long accepted the fact that something’s wrong with Filipino culture. I’ve never denied that. This acceptance is even evident in the cynicism of some of my screenplays. But that’s also the exact reason why some of us directors have chosen to work in BOTH mainstream and indie circles. We’re trying to change things bit by bit in our own ways. It’s not easy and it won’t come fast. If you’ve seen indie films and some notable mainstream works by our local directors, you’d KNOW that there have been some improvements amidst the sludge.
The major studios don’t always give intelligent, commercially viable films a chance because, much like local politics, they have institutionalized views on what passes for entertainment and audience taste.
A film is only as smart as its producer, not its director. And a smart film’s chances in the cinemas is only as large as its marketing campaign’s reach (exactly why even lousy films get big audiences).
That’s as far as I’m willing to explain at this point.
All I’ve been saying is that you CANNOT generalize about things you know little about, especially in your position as a writer. It’s plainly irresponsible. You’re taking the side of the fed up consumer, fine. You distance yourself from the masa. Fine again.
But you’re also a writer who’s supposedly intelligent and open-minded. Hence, it’s your responsibility to know what else is out there besides the obvious. It’s your responsibility as a writer not to make sweeping conclusions when you don’t have all the facts. The worst excuse is to say you’ll only watch films that you’re paid to watch or those that you’re interested in. That may be true. But then DON’T write articles like this. It’s naive and reveals how narrow your viewpoint is.
It’s always your article we return to.
@Jerrold
Thanks for taking the time to explain things. But you gotta accept where we are coming from. The general impression of people is this: most Pinoy films (that get more exposure) and the patrons of those films do not have substance. Some film-goers are tired of the same old formula in the local films. It’s as simple as that.
As an independent filmmaker, you say that your problem is not getting the right exposure. But in this age of books being self-publicized and shameless self-promotion (lady Gaga), you now have the ability to create your own buzz so people will start talking about your film and others wanting to see them. Who needs all this film execs when you can promote your film yourself? All you need is to get the information out there because I am telling you, most people are lazy to research. They just want to follow what’s “in”. So you have to make it look like your film is the “in” thing so those who are just fond of riding band-wagons will ride on it.
I am not being irresponsible. I am helping you get noticed. It’s about time someone said something about the pathetic situation of our film industry. Some people need a wake-up call because most Filipinos are not used to criticism. Criticism should help people improve their craft.
If you are, then that says a lot about your taste. And since I don’t share your preference in films, what makes you think I will like the other films that you’d recommend? — this made me raise my eyebrows. Let’s try to be nice and respect those who comment to our blogs
@Ilda
That’s where you’re logic of a good film fails. FYI highest-grossing films are most of the time not “intellectual”. The taste for films of the filipino audience is cultivated over time. When the television, the politicians, the church, and other institutions tell them that these crappy films are supposed to be “good” they will watch them. When all you hear on the television is about some Kris Aquino film, people are gonna think “oh, this must be a good film since its featured on the tv”. The reason that these crappy films you speak of are feature on the media is because of power relations. The good filipino films are left out is because most of the time filipinos won’t even check if the television is saying crap, or check out other ways to hear about other films.
@Brian:
That’s essentially the point of the article.
ARROGANT SON OF A *****
Tsk tsk…what’s the matter? Can’t handle the truth?
Anyway, the movies stated in this article, from which the basis of being “unintellectual” was rooted, are basically mainstream movies. The point of the first guy was that it is an injustice to just generalize the Filipino Film Industry by looking at only a very constrained sample of movies.
You and independent film makers share the same sentiment: that these films don’t make us think. This was the exact same reason why film makers started doing their own movies, to break the formulaic system followed by most if not all mainstream movies.
Because of this, maybe the author should try watching our independent films. They are not profit-oriented, and are aimed at showing the “art” that is supposed part of every film.
Hahahahahaha. The Filipino masses do not need good movies because there is already enough drama in everyday news. #pseudosarcasm