NOEL FERRER
Kilala ang Directors Guild of the Philippines, Inc. (DGPI) na may progresibong posisyon sa mga isyung tumutukoy sa ating industriya.
Huli silang naglabas ng kanilang paninindigan sa pagkansela ng pagpapalabas ng Lost Sabungeros (GMA Pictures) sa Cinemalaya XX filmfest.
Read: Docu film Lost Sabungeros, kanselado ang screening sa Cinemalaya
Ngayon naman, sa pamamagitan ng kanilang presidente na si Mark Meily, nakuha natin ang kanilang bagong statement ukol sa dalawang pelikulang na-X ng Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) sa kanilang review nitong mga nakaraang araw.
Una, ang documentary film na Alipato at Muog at ang comedy-drama na Dear Satan.
Sa ikalawang review ay pinalitan ng MTRCB ang rating ng Alipato at Muog sa R-16, pero ang Dear Satan ay X pa rin.
Read: Lala Sotto justifies X ratings of Alipato at Muog, Dear Satan
DGPI STATEMENT
Pahayag ng DGPI: “The Directors' Guild of the Philippines (DGPI) unequivocally condemns the recent actions of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) in issuing an X-rating to two films, Alipato at Muog and Dear Satan.
"We believe these decisions represent an alarming overreach of the MTRCB’s mandate, reflecting an unsettling imposition of political and religious biases on creative works.
“Alipato at Muog, a documentary that addresses the tragic forced disappearance of an activist, has been unjustly rated X.
"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.
“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.
"Such a rating not only misrepresents the nature of the film but also undermines the essential role of documentaries in fostering public discourse and accountability.
“Although the film was eventually reclassified to R-16, this delay in justice for Alipato at Muog reflects negatively on the subjectivity and inconsistency in the MTRCB’s decision-making processes.
"The process by which this rating was initially determined calls into question the board’s commitment to fair and objective assessment.
“Similarly, the decision to impose an X-rating on Dear Satan is an evident overreach. This film, a work of fiction, explores themes of redemption and transformation by portraying a devilish character learning compassion and performing good deeds.
“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.
"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.
“Films such as Hellboy, Lucifer, and Little Nicky have been received positively by audiences and critics alike, regardless of their religious or moral implications.
“The DGPI calls upon the MTRCB to adhere strictly to its mandate of providing fair and unbiased film classifications, free from personal, political, or religious prejudices.
"The role of the MTRCB should be to evaluate films based on their content and merit rather than imposing subjective moral judgments that can stifle creativity and freedom of expression.
“We urge the MTRCB to review its procedures and ensure that future ratings are based on transparent, objective criteria that respect the diversity of artistic expression.
"The DGPI remains committed to advocating for the rights of filmmakers and the integrity of the creative process.
“Maraming Salamat.”
JERRY OLEA
May mga na-offend sa pelikulang The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) ng master director na si Martin Scorsese.
Na-X ito ng MTRCB, pero nagkalat kapagkuwan ang kopya nito sa laser disc na narerentahan sa video stores. Kumalat din ang pirated DVDs nito, at ipinalabas din sa streaming platform.
Kontrobersyal din ang pelikulang The Da Vinci Code Code (2006) ni Ron Howard. Banned ito sa ilang bansa pero aprubado sa MTRCB.
Kumpara sa mga pelikulang The Last Temptation of Christ at The Da Vinci Code, maging sa mga seryeng Lucifer at Good Omens… napaka-tame ng Dear Satan aka Dear Santa.
Juice colored! Nag-streaming nga sa Netflix ang Brazilian comedy films na The Last Hangover (2018) at The First Temptation of Christ (2019).
Kung offensive na para sa mga manang ang Dear Satan, ano kaya ang paglalarawan nila if ever sa mga paandar na ito ng Porta dos Fundos?
Sa pamamayagpag ng streaming platforms gaya ng Netflix kung saan iba’t ibang pelikula at serye ang matutunghayan — irreverent man o hindi — andiyan pa rin ang mga makikitid ang pang-unawa.
Nang uriratin ko si Bibeth Orteza sa awards night ng Sinag Maynila 2024 nitong Setyembre 8, Linggo ng gabi, sa Metropolitan Theater ng Maynila kaugnay sa pagka-X ng Dear Satan, napailing na lang siya nang napailing at napabuntong-hininga.
GORGY RULA
Hindi na muna nagbigay ng official statement ang Mavx Productions kaugnay sa pag-X muli sa Dear Santa (dating Dear Satan).
Wala pa silang napagdedesisyunan kung iapela pa nila ito sa Malacañang o paaabutin pa ng Supreme Court.
Nasa Cebu sila ngayon para sa shooting ng ConMom.
Ayaw na rin muna magsalita ni Paolo Contis. Bahala na raw ang Mavx.
Nang nakapanayam namin si Richard Reynoso na isa sa nag-review at nag-X sa Dear Santa, pinagdiinan niyang sumunod lang sila sa PD 1986.
Pero nung 1985 pa ang batas na ito. Ni hindi pa uso noon ang cellphone at internet.
Panahon na sigurong amyendahan ang batas na ito.
Taong 2024 na ngayon at ang laki na ng ipinagbago ng buhay natin, pati ang mga kuwentong napapanood sa mga pelikula natin.
Bukas naman daw sila sa mga pagbabago. Pero matatagalan pa raw dahil dadaan ito sa Kongreso at Senado.
Read: To abolish or to retain: Is MTRCB censorship still relevant in the digital age?