The 36th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is over. As in past Christmases, this event promises celebration and competition, all for the benefit of our movie industry. The winners were proclaimed three days after the festival opened last Dec. 25 and once again they had some funny choices. It is only the year, the faces and the names of participants to the annual Metro Manila Film Festival that change, but the essence and politics of the event remain the same. Controversies and issues have been rocking the MMFF, year in and year out. It’s the struggle to perfection that makes the difference.
Now, Philippines has been affixed to the title to signify a never-ending tension and contradiction among classes, interests and motives in this commercial event hiding as an art venue. Winners are now based partly on the box-office receipts and not merely on the film’s merits. It is really all about money, money, and money. Going back to its history, the festival was founded on year 1975 and in the past 36 years, it was only in 1994 that there was no Best Picture winner. It is also interesting to note that in 2006, Enteng Kabisote 3 won Best Picture award besting the well-made Star Cinema comedy Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo. It is just one of the most controversial years in the history of the film fest. Assuming the Metro Manila Film Festival is a commercial festival, there is nothing wrong with it. Because we all know that aside from being an art, moviemaking is an industry. It is a business. However we should not forget that this event has its objective to showcase outstanding Filipino movies. We should improve it by allowing only quality film who passes the standard of the board.
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