Kinatay, kinakatay, kakatayin
The premiere of Brillante Mendoza’s film Kinatay at the University of the Philippines Film Center on Thursday, July 30, might not push through as scheduled. According to lawyer Teddy Te, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) will issue a preventive suspension order against UP to prevent the screening.
There is an ongoing debate between UP and the MTRCB over whether the University (and the Cultural Center of the Philippines) is exempted from MTRCB review. During the term of MTRCB Chair Armida Siguion-Reyna, it was understood that UP and CCP can screen films without MTRCB permits.
Apparently the MTRCB had received complaints following the screening of the movie Sagwan at the UP Film Center (In other words, nasagwaan sa Sagwan). A cease and desist order was then sent to UP. The University has reportedly agreed that film screenings should only be for UP students and film critics. Questions were raised over the sale of tickets to the Kinatay premiere. The tickets were going for P150 each.
Malacañang has stepped into the discussion, calling for a dialogue between the MTRCB and UP. Recently President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave Brillante Mendoza a one-million peso prize for winning Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
July 29th, 2009 at 02:53
where can I buy a bootleg copy of it? I’ve searched every stall in Quiapo and they only have Serbis
July 29th, 2009 at 03:50
In order for culture to advance, we really have to actively discuss what’s going on in our surroundings. Mendoza’s films bring to light most of these issues in order to generate that badly needed discussion. Unfortunately in some quarters, some entities would rather have the typical Pinoy cower and follow blindly to whatever the government says. Curse the darkness indeed.
July 29th, 2009 at 11:13
As long as it generates more controversy, it could even help the film.
July 29th, 2009 at 14:11
the more they keep this from people, the more people will want to see it
I think the best way to make people stop watching movies (Pinoys, at least) is to REQUIRE them to watch the things over and over (just like in school~~) until they’re all like “Ah screw this, I’m going to see Transformers 2!”
July 29th, 2009 at 16:33
Now why does this remind me of this film critic critterbrain’s call for banning Antichrist in an article that includes the line “I haven’t seen it myself, nor shall I”?
July 29th, 2009 at 18:07
Roland Tolentino, CMC dean, sent an email to the UP FI group that the Kinatay screening will be purely “by invitation” only. No word on those tickets, though.
July 30th, 2009 at 07:23
Your blog inspired me to write a blog of my own about this highly misguiding movie censor board.
Just in case you’re would like to see it, here’s the link:
http://barnieboi.blogspot.com/2009/07/kinatay-sa-up-film-center.html
July 30th, 2009 at 11:32
In other news, Carlo J. Caparas is named a national artist. Something is very, very wrong. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=491460&publicationSubCategoryId=68