Erik Matti defends indie films, MMFF 2016 lineup

MANILA, Philippines – Director Erik Matti called on the public to support this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) lineup, saying moviegoers should not turn their noses up at independent films.

The director made the remarks in a Facebook post on Wednesday, November 23. (FULL LIST: 8 MMFF 2016 entries revealed)

“Hinay-hinay sa paghamak at pag-insulto ng salitang ‘indie’ na parang ito’y may ketong na dapat layuan,” said Erik.

(Ease up on belittling and insulting the word “indie” as if it’s a disease that you have to stay away from.)

He explained: “Ang indie at mainstream ay parehong pelikula rin lang at ‘wag na po ihiwalay sa isa’t isa. Ang indie, tulad ng mainstream, ay puwedeng malalim o mababaw, matalino o stupido, nakakatawa o nakakaiyak, commercial o artistic, pambata o pangmatanda o panghugot, cheap o big budget. Pareho pong pelikula ‘yan.”

(Indie and mainstream are both movies and we shouldn’t separate them from each other. Indie films, like mainstream films, can be deep or shallow, smart or stupid, funny or sad, commercial or artistic, for the young or the old, cheap or big budget. They are both movies.)

This year, festival regulars like Vic Sotto and Vice Ganda, whose movies were made by big production companies, didn’t make it to the lineup.

Following the announcement of the festival lineup, many social media users expressed disappointment that Vice, who has had an MMFF movie every year since 2010, didn’t make it.

His movie with Coco Martin in 2015, Beauty and the Bestie, is reportedly the highest grossing Filipino film.

Ang alam ko ang Pasko ay para sa mga bata. So paano magiging masaya ang mga bata sa Pasko kung walang VICE GANDA movie. #MMFF2016

— JohnRussendelSamson (@russsamsonn) November 18, 2016

 

Vice Ganda was born to give laughter and love on Christmas Day, how could you fail the simplest dream of every Filipino? #MMFF2016

— Mr. Lasheras (@jknnthbereached) November 18, 2016

 

MMFF is boring without Vice Ganda. Gosh! How could you exclude the artist that has been producing million of ticket sales? #MMFF2016

— Mr. Lasheras (@jknnthbereached) November 18, 2016

 

Erik’s comments also came after industry veteran Lily Monteverde, producer and owner of Regal Films, spoke about their MMFF bet not making it to the festival. This year, Regal Films’ entry was an installment in the Mano Po film series titled Chinoy. (READ: Richard Yap, Mother Lily discuss ‘Mano Po 7’ exclusion from MMFF 2016 lineup)

Monteverde said she had nothing against indie films, but deplored her movie’s exclusion from the festival. “But you know… there’s a time for the indie movies, but not Christmas season. Christmas is for the family.”

On his Facebook post, Erik continued: “Panoorin ‘nyo muna ang mga pelikulang napili sa MMFF. Mayroong pagbabagong naganap sa MMFF 2016. Bigyan naman natin ng chance na umubra bago husgahan. Lalabas din naman si Vice, si Vic, at si Chinoy kahit ‘di nakasali e.”

(Watch the movies that were picked for the MMFF first. Changes are happening with MMFF 2016. Let’s give it a chance before we insult it. The movies of Vice and Vic, plus Chinoy, will still be released even though they aren’t included.)

 

A few days before his Facebook post, Erik also tweeted about this year’s festival lineup, saying: “More than [my movie Seklusyon] getting in, I am so happy with the line-up of the films. This is the change we are all wishing for in [MMFF 2016].”

More than #Seklusyon getting into, I am so happy with the line-up of the films. This is the change we are all wishing for in #MMFF2016

— Erik Matti (@ErikMatti) November 18, 2016

 

Sana kumita lahat ng pelikula sa #MMFF2016 #SEKLUSYON

— Erik Matti (@ErikMatti) November 18, 2016

 

This year, the MMFF made changes to their rules, their executive committee, and their criteria for the movies that would make it to the festival. ([READ] MMFF 2016 revamped: 10 important changes to know)

Erik’s film Honor Thy Father was the subject of controversy last year, after it was disqualified for the festival’s Best Picture award. 

As is tradition, the MMFF movies will be in theaters on December 25. They will run until January 7. – Rappler.com