Paolo Contis laments that his film Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap cannot get slots in local movie houses.
The actor is one of the lead stars of Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap, which is scheduled to open in cinemas on November 28, 2018.
Written and directed by commercial director Marius Talampas, Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap also stars Jerald Napoles, Jelson Bay, and Pen Medina.
Paolo disclosed that the film has been branded as giving a "bad connotation" because of its title. In an Instagram post he published on November 24, he wrote:
"Isang malungkot na araw! Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap cannot get cinema slots.
"According to them, the movie is sending a bad connotation to the public because of its title (when our only intention is to entertain our audience and give a good laugh for less than 2 hours). This is our own way of making it light for the Filipino people.
"We think what you're doing is the REAL HOLDAP."
Paolo's girlfriend, LJ Reyes, also felt frustrated by this decision because the Pinoy film is unable to get cinema slots just because of its title. She pointed out that it is "ironic that we support foreign films orchestrating grand heists" but "cannot support our own just because of the title."
Here is LJ's full post on Instagram:
"This is a sad day.
The movie has been rated R-16 by the MTRCB, which means only 16 yrs old and above are allowed to watch the film. Kids below 16 yrs. old are not allowed because of some language and content.
"As a parent, I appreciate and respect this rating and would’ve rated this movie the same. However, as an artist and audience (who has already seen the complete edit of the film), I am deeply saddened. Why?
1. Marius Talampas’s witty comedy as a writer and impeccable comedic timing and visuals as a director make this film unique from it’s contemporary.
2. The chemistry of the cast was undeniably strong! This is the first time the four main cast worked together, but each brought a flavor of his own, injecting their own kind of humor and character. Supporting cast were also great as their characters. Hint: A hilarious comedic injection from Pen Medina was for me one of the funniest punch lines in the movie! Not one soul in the theater was quiet at that time!
3. I just think it’s so ironic that we support foreign films orchestrating grand heists or films that just follows male-character-driven adventures, but cannot support our own just because of the title. How often have we said “DON’T JUDGE THE BOOK BY ITS COVER!” but still we do every chance we get.
"It’s upsetting that we are limiting our fellow people, our artists, to create materials that the only intention was to make other people laugh, so they can lighten up somebody’s lonely day or maybe a group of friends just wanted to have some laugh or take a break from a stressful day. The MTRCB rating exists for a reason, and we support and respect that. We are happy to be given an opportunity to make young adults and older a chance to laugh and relax! What we are so unhappy about is that doors are being closed on us just because of the title used by the film to attract audience. It may not be an ideal situation because it’s a fictional story created to make the audience laugh. It may resemble reality, but it is not reality. Just like the foreign films we all love and support. Let’s not forget it’s a comedy film not a documentary.
"#SupportFilipinoFilms #SarilingAtin"
Here is the synopsis of Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap, which is produced by Mavx Productions:
"This movie is set in the imaginary Barangay Husay, right at the heart of Tondo, Manila. Eman (played by Pepe Herrera) teams up with his two friends: Toto (played by Jerald Napoles) and Carlo (played by Jelson Bay). They start out as the underdogs, failing at every opportunity to succeed in any of their small time scams.
"Then a newbie is introduced to their group by Eman’s father (played by veteran actor Pen Medina). He decrees Nicoy (played by Paolo Contis) to become part of Eman’s group, breaking the tradition of having only 3 members per gang. Nicoy is met with adverse reactions but was eventually accepted by Eman and his friends, breathing new vigor and hope for their dream of succeeding in an ultimate scam."