EDITORS DESK
It's that time of the year again when movie enthusiasts eagerly await the annual film festival. This year, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) unveiled not eight but 10 official entries for the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival.
The 10 films are Family of Two (A Mother And Son's Story) by Cineko Productions, Inc.; K(ampon), Quantum Films; Penduko, Sari Sari Network; Rewind, ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc., APT Entertainment, Inc. and Agostodos Pictures, Inc.; Becky and Badette, The Ideafirst Company; Broken Hearts Trip, Smart Films Productions, OPC in cooperation with BMC Films; Firefly, GMA Pictures; Gomburza, Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc.; Mallari, Mentorque Productions; and When I Met You in Tokyo, JG Productions.
The movies were selected from a record-high of 30 submissions by distinguished members of the MMFF selection committee, led by respected producer and film industry stalwart Jessie Ejercito. For many years, the MMFF always selected only eight entries. Having more movies available gives moviegoers a wider range of options.
"Ang 10 na napiling pelikula ay talagang napakagaganda. Ito rin ay base sa aming napanood na trailers at actors at actresses na bumuo ng mga pelikula na ito,” (The 10 films selected are really very good. This is also based on the trailers we have seen and the actors and actresses who make up these films)," said MMDA Acting Chairman and MMFF Concurrent Chairman Atty. Don Artes, during the official announcement of the 10 entries.
The criteria used in the selection of official entries are artistic excellence (40 percent), commercial appeal (40 percent), Filipino cultural value (10 percent), and global appeal (10 percent).
However, some fans were disappointed after the selection committee snubbed some entries. Among the entries that failed to make it to the Magic 10 include "Pieta" (Nora Aunor), "In His Mother's Eyes" (Maricel Soriano, Roderick Paulate and LA Santos), "Good Game" (Donny Pangilinan and Maricel Laxa), "Nocturno" (Nadine Lustre), "That Kind of Love (Barbie Forteza and David Licauco), "Song of the Fireflies" (Morissette Amon), and "Selda Tres" (Cesar Montano).
Following the announcement, the MMDA said the 10 movies can now start the promos for the MMFF, which will run from Dec. 25, 2023, to Jan. 7, 2024, in theaters nationwide.
The Parade of Stars in the sponsor cities of Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela) will be held on Dec. 16 or 17, 2023, and the Gabi ng Parangal will be on Dec. 27.
Filipino movies have not recovered in terms of box office since the pandemic. While Hollywood is back to normal, Filipino producers continue to make meaningful films to encourage viewers to return to the theaters. Filipinos still seem hesitant to return to cinemas and watch Pinoy films. Local movies in the Philippines can be successful, but overall box office performance is not consistent. With 10 interesting movies and star power at the 49th MMFF, Filipinos can be enticed to watch local movies again.
Adding star power to this year's MMFF are Sharon Cuneta, Alden Richards, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Vilma Santos-Recto, Christopher de Leon, Piolo Pascual, Matteo Guidicelli, Derek Ramsay, and Beauty Gonzales.
Senior Vice President for GMA Pictures Nessa Valdellon, whose movie "Firefly" made it to the festival, commented: "It is a big film. It is meant to be seen on the big screen. Ang ganda nag pagkaka shoot ng cinematographer namin si Neil Daza. We wanted to wait for a possible festival. Local films have been doing poorly for 2023, but we expect to do well. And all entries that made it to MMFF are parang ang gaganda. So the audience will come back for the festival. We'll see."
The Philippine film industry is optimistic about the upcoming festival this year. Here's hoping that the selected films will be successful at the box office, reviving the local film industry and encouraging more production.
(Robert R. Requintina is the Entertainment Editor of Manila Bulletin)