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DGPI condemns MTRCB's decision to issue X rating on 'Dear Satan,' 'Alipato at Muog'
DGPI condemns MTRCB's decision to issue X rating on 'Dear Satan,' 'Alipato at Muog'
By Neil Ramos
The Directors’ Guild of the Philippines Inc. (DGPI) is not happy with the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) issuing an X rating on the films "Alipato at Muog" and "Dear Satan."
In a statement made available via social media, it condemned the agency's actions maintaining it "represent an alarming overreach of the MTRCB’s mandate, reflecting an unsettling imposition of political and religious biases on creative works.”
Although the MTRCB has since reversed its decision relating “Alipato at Muog,” going on to give it an R-16 rating, DGPI deemed the eventual reclassification "reflects negatively on the subjectivity and inconsistency in the MTRCB’s decision-making processes.”
“This film is not a work of fiction or sensationalism; it is a poignant recounting of real events, aimed at shedding light on a grave injustice that has been a matter of public record,” it said.
“The MTRCB’s initial decision to classify this documentary as X, under the pretext of undermining government authority, is both a gross misunderstanding and an unacceptable distortion of the board’s purpose,” it added.
Meanwhile, on the MTRCB’s decision to issue an X rating on "Dear Satan," the DGPI maintained it is testament to "overreach.”
“The MTRCB’s decision, rooted in a belief that a depiction of Satan as a character capable of good is inherently harmful, disregards the long tradition of literature and film where such themes have been explored without adverse effects,” it said, going on to cite some films that explore the same premise including "Hellboy," and "Little Nicky."
It added, “The film does not glorify evil; rather, it presents a narrative that challenges conventional depictions of antagonists, suggesting that even those considered inherently bad can change for the better."
DGPI went on to urge the board to evaluate films based simply on content and merit, rather than “imposing subjective moral judgments that can stifle creativity and freedom of expression.”
As of writing, the MTRCB has not issued a reaction.