MANILA, Philippines – “Thy Womb” director Brillante Mendoza appealed to the many fans of actress Nora Aunor for them to go watch the film even if it is being showed in only 27 theaters nationwide.
“I appeal to the Noranians and the moviegoers to show their support for ‘Thy Womb’ for this the only chance for an internationally acclaimed Filipino film to be accessible,” Mendoza told Rappler before the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) awards night on Thursday, December 27.
The winner of the MMFF Best Director prize complained that the movie is being pulled out of movie houses in favor of other more commercial productions.
For instance, “Si Agimat, Si Enteng at Si Ako,” starring Sen Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Judy Ann Santos, or “Sisterakas,” with Kris Aquino, Vice Ganda and Ai Ai de las Alas, are showing in 130 theaters nationwide compared with just 27 for “Thy Womb.”
“We really hope we could stay until the festival ends,” Mendoza added.
Mendoza is considered one of the Philippines’ most influential indie filmmakers,and in 2009 he won the Palm d’Or for Best Director at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival with “Kinatay.”
Asked for comment, Best Actress Nora Aunor herself said she still did not know the film was being pulled out.
Others were more vocal in their complaints: E.R. Ejercito, Aunor’s co-actor in another MMFF entry, “El Presidente,” could not hide his frustration that films produced by indie or low-budget outfits were being shown in smaller movie houses.
He said that the MMFF’s charter should be changed and the festival turned into a nationwide event. – Rappler.com, with reports from Jerald Uy
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