Why, you ask? Let this movie review speak for itself.
After days of rummaging through YMS' reviews, one can't help but be amazed with how observant and thorough the reviewer is. If you have watched the video above, I hope I wasn't alone when I couldn't help but chuckle at how obliterated Unfriended was. And mind you, that's just Part 1 of 2 of his review.
Anyway, I've learned a lot from the channel on how to get more out of the movie experience and while I don't necessarily agree with every opinion YMS has, I look forward to applying a similar way of observation in my future watching experiences.
And that was when the thought hit me. If I were to be as meticulous and thorough with mainstream Filipino films, would I even get to enjoy a single one?
Don't get me wrong. I have watched a handful of local films that amazed me and I firmly believe that Filipino artists are more than capable in making tasteful and inventive crafts.
If that's the case, then what am I even yapping about?
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| The author's selfie #NoFilter #WokeUpLikeThis |
A few weeks ago, I've read a thought-provoking article written by the controversial (and so far with the most kickass speech on MMFF so far) director Erik Matti which tackled about the need for compromise when it comes to marketability of a film in the pursuit of artistic progression in Philippine cinema.
"I wish for film workers to devote their knowledge and expertise to not just making a living but to mainly making something memorable. It has become all about the paycheck and not about doing excellent work. I wish for them to stop doing five projects all at the same time so they can focus on what matters to them most. This is a tough thing to ask from a Third World country and from an industry that doesn’t pay much, but I still wish for this."My point is, it's not that filmmakers refuse to make inventive and tasteful films, it's just that the majority of Filipino audience (AKA people who buy the movie tickets) are still at a level where they're unwilling to take risks when it comes to movies they pay for, therefore going to those "tried and tested" (AKA heavily recycled) romantic flicks where they perhaps can find some post-worthy #Hugot lines.
And this, my dear readers, is where the problem lies. It propagates a culture where the audience "supports" films that are shat for the mere sake of endorsements and rising actors' exposure. It encourages a system where Filipinos are fed with nothing but shallow, unbelievably predictable films that aspire nothing more than to reap as much revenue as possible.
But as much as I hate to admit it, the entertainment industry, like pretty much everything else on earth, IS a business and no businessman wants a venture to fail. Hence the beginning of a vicious cycle.
One can only hope that there come a day when Filipinos actually get tired of shitty films and go take risks with watching films. As Matti put it:
"I wish that the audience would take risks in the films they go out to see. Let’s watch romantic comedies all we want. But let’s also watch other things. Documentaries, scary movies, sad movies, weird movies, shocking movies. Films are not just about feeling good or being charmed or falling in love. Films are also about getting angry, feeling terrified and frustrated. It is also about feelings of loss, of uncertainty, of thrills and awe. Films are about so many other things, too, other than just fun and love. I wish that you let films surprise you and not just give you what you always expect of it."
The crowd does not lead, it follows. Let's breed a healthy culture wherein we support and promote films that deserve attention. Let's endorse artistry in the country, and not get too swallowed up by the vile cycle of commercialism.
Let's all just be smart consumers, for chrissake.
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