#MMFF2016: The 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival is a #Reelvolution

Wazzup PIlipinas!

"I'm looking really forward to watching the #MMFF2016 this year. I really wish the haters would see the true intentions of the #MMFF2016 and the new direction it's taking. The MMDA started out in 1975 as an esoteric agency created to humanize a burgeoning city. The movie festival started with the idealistic notion that film can be a catalyst for positve development and a reflection of the human condition. The blockbusters with Kabisotes and Manos can be done anytime of the year. Let's give these new movies a chance. Haters, you may be surprised." - Carlos Celdran

This December 25, which movie are you excited to see? Excited to know the entries to the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival? Contrary to what people expected, there will be no Bossing Vic or Vice Ganda films for this year’s festival. Totoo po ang tsismis, Maraming Magandang Filipino Films ngayong darating na Pasko! The line-up for the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival, to put it mildly, is quite different from previous years after it has merged into one category the independent films and mainstream movies.

“Mano Po 7: Chinoy,” which also failed to make the cut in the festival’s official lineup this year, could be debatable as it is of a higher level than the "Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers " or "The Super Parental Guardians" movies. But Mother Lily was reported to have said that she thinks the Filipino movie industry will fall with the new system of the MMFF.

Big local producers are still bristling at not having secured a slot in the lucrative annual all-Pinoy-movies festival. Sino ang director na nagalit dahil sa proseso ng pagpili ng mga entries para sa #MMFF2016? Maliwanag sa #MMFF2016 Rules na QUALITY FILMS so bakit andaming nagulat sa resulta? True enough "...audiences now are no longer "bakya." We already have an audience that is media-savvy." Bravo MMFF!!!

The MMFF Executive Committee defended its choices of film entries this year. There is no such thing as a mainstream and indie films divide. Boots Roa-Rodrigo says "Film is film, no matter where it came from. That should be the message. Walang indie, walang mainstream. We're talking film."

Manila Bulletin article says "We’re often told never to judge a book by its cover. It is the same with the eight final entries to the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Let’s not judge them this early as their future at the box office will soon be an open book we can all learn from."

"Finally, "MMFF" is back! Quality films on queue. No more trashy films. The challenge now to the producers is how to make their film appealing or marketable to Pinoy audiences who are used to watching films of Vice Ganda, Vic Sotto, etc yearly. It's about time to educate Pinoys of what films are worth the box office success in MMFF." - Ely Christopher Nera

"And this is what they we're referring to when they said "dumbing Filipinos down." I don't care if iMMFF entries dont sell as much. Junk films should not be shown, especially poor rip off's like these films. Quality means: Intellectually well made, written and acted. Enough of these cheap copies, so poorly acted with the shallowest scripts!" - Jays Alvarez

Pero bago pa man ang #MMFF2016, ipapalabas na ang mga pelikulang hindi pumasok sa 'Magic 8!' The rejected MMFF entries will be shown before Christmas Day. Good move?

MMFF 2016 entries and their MTRCB ratings

HINDI totoong walang pambata sa MMFF 2016 entries. Sa katunayan, may dalawang G (General Patronage) rated films at may tatlong PG (Parental Guidance) films. Tuloy ang Kid’s Choice Award na mismong mga bata ang hurado. Buong pamilya, may magandang mapapanood sa MMFF.

Heto ang Metro Manila Film Festival 2016 MTRCB Ratings at pati na rin ang kanilang sequence sa annual parada na inaabangan palagi ng lahat:

#1 Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2 — PG

Starring Eugene Domingo, Jericho Rosales, Joel Torre, Kean Cipriano, Khalil Ramos, and Cai Cortez
Directed by Marlon Rivera

"Looking forward to this movie as Ang Babae sa Septic Tank was and continues to be one of my favorite movie. It was funny, it was smart, offered a scathing critique of poverty porn movies, showed how creating art have become an exclusive pursuit/domain of the elites (cultural, economic and political) and how ordinary Filipinos have been reduced to just "subject" and consumers of art. I'm just sad that JM de Guzman is not longer part of the cast." - Meps Artagame

#2 Die Beautiful — R13

Starring Paolo Ballesteros, Joel Torre, Gladys Reyes, Luis Alandy, Albie Casiño, Iza Calzado
Directed by Jun Robles Lana

Inaabangan ng bayan ang Die Beautiful dahil gusto nilang panoorin ang pagiging perfectionist ni Paolo Ballesteros sa paglikha ng iba't ibang celebrities na binigyang buhay niya sa pelikula. Sige nga, bilangin mo kung ilang transformations ang makikita mo dito! The KneeJerk Critic says "Must watch ang Die Beautiful for me. Ang hindi manood ililibing ng buhay… at mamamatay nang pangit… you heard me… PANGET!"

#3 Kabisera — R13

Starring Nora Aunor , Ricky Davao, JC De Vera, Luis Alandy, Jason Abalos, RJ Agustin, Victor Neri and Ronwaldo Martin
Directed by Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido

Please also watch Kabisera, another official entry to MMFF 2016. Nora Aunor's movie 'Kabisera,' an MMFF 2016 entry, was once a film fest reject. Now many would probably beg to differ as soon as they step in and see even the first few scenes. Tempo says "Aside from being the one and only Superstar, Nora Aunor is also the acknowledged Queen of the Metro Manila Film Festival. Think of her many festival awards, topped by “Atsay,” where she was named best performer. That year, only one acting award was given by the MMFF jurors. To date she’s the only actor so honored."

#4 Oro — PG

Starring Irma Adlawan, Mercedes Cabral, and Joem Bascom
Directed by Alvin Yapan

"Papasukin ang isang barangay ng mga minero ng mga armadong elemento na nagpapangggap na mga tagapagtanggol ng kalikasan. Mapipilitan ang kanilang Kapitana na ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatang maghanapbuhay."

Oro is about the lives of simple folk caught between the crossfire of Kapitana accused of political patronage, and Patrol Kalikasan using the environment as a front for their own political and economic interests on the small mining community. As the provincial government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) fight over the jurisdiction over small-scale mining operations, Elmer and Linda suffer the devastating consequences of the legacy of violence and corruption of the country’s turbulent political and ideological history.

#5 Saving Sally — PG
Starring Rhian Ramos, Enzo Marcos
Directed by Avid Liongoren

Saving Sally is a 10 year in the making super stylized, coming of age movie with animation. It is a film about love, comic books, and the monsters in our heads. Could this attract the animation enthusiasts composed mostly of Millennials? I can't wait to read what critics would say. I would entirely support every Filipino animators effort to come out with quality moving artworks, but would be more interested to find out if the story is of quality too. We will soon find out on Christmas Day.

#6 Sunday Beauty Queen — G

Starring Hazel Perdido, Cherrie Mae Bretana, Mylyn Jacobo, Leo Selomenio, Rudelyn Acosta
Directed by Babyruth Villarama Gutierrez

Beneath Hong Kong's glittering facade, Filipinas working as domestic helpers work in relative anonymity and for near slave wages. In a beauty pageant like no other in the world, five helpers give themselves makeovers for a day and gleefully reclaim their dignity. In the movie, a Filipina maid dreams to become Hong Kong's most beautiful queen not for self worth but to save lives, change the abusive system and be happy inside out.

This is also a very important topic that everyone should not just leave inside the cinema houses. The domestic helpers, caregivers, and other OFWs we call heroes are better off working at their own countries rather than be away from their families. We need better opportunities here so they would not be forced to work like slaves in a foreign land.

#7 Vince & Kath & James — G

Starring Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, Ronnie Alonte
Directed by Ted Boborol

Inquirer Bandera says "HINDI pa rin makapaniwala si Julia Barretto na nakapasok sa 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival ang pelikula nilang “Vince & Kath & James” under Star Cinema. Mas lalo namang na-excite but at the same time ay na-pressure ang dalaga nang sabihin sa kanila sa presscon ng kanilang movie na isa sa magiging top-grosser sa taunang filmfest ang kanilang entry." Being one of the few MMFF movies with a General Patronage rating, this could probably one of the movies families will watch, but mostly from urges of younger teens to their parents.

The movie is a teen romantic film based on Vince and Kath, an online series written by Jenny Ruth Almocera, which went viral, that told the story of two lovestruck teens, Vince and Kath, through text messages.

#8 Seklusyon — R13

Starring Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Elora Espano, Neil Ryan Sese, Ronnie Alonte, Lou Veloso, Dominique Roque, John Vic De Guzman, JR Versales
Directed by Erik Matti

Seklusyon is set in 1947 and follows a deacon on his last 7 days before priesthood – a time when "the devil's attacks are strongest." The movie stars Ronnie Alonte, Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Elora Espano, Neil Ryan Sese, Lou Veloso, Dominique Roque, John Vic De Guzman, and JR Versales. 

Seklusyon is Erik Matti's first MMFF entry after 2015's Honor Thy Father, which was the subject of controversy last year when it was disqualified from the Best Picture category of the festival's awards.

The MMFF Executive Committee has said that the possibility of box office returns declining this year is "predictable and understandable." MMFF Selection Committee Chairman Nicanor Tiongson says that the change in MMFF is for the better because the emphasis is now on quality rather than commercial viability.


"The decision to screen indie films at the MMFF this 2016 was shocking. But it could be THE shock that will bring vibrant breath back to our movie industry which has been flailing like a dying fish that can't seem to die. ....... Yes, we deserve world-class films made by our own. And we will only get them if the powers-that-be raise their standards. Because to me, it doesn't matter whether the film was made by a commercial outfit or a small band of storytellers. It doesn't matter if it's Vic Sotto or some unknown stage actor in the lead role. Filipinos are so crazy talented!" - Joyce Ann Burton

"It's perfectly normal for filmmakers to dream of commercial success. Art is not free. But when production companies say that a blockbuster hit can only be produced by a type of comedy that is "patok sa masa" or the one we claim is dumbing down the masses, we enter a vicious cycle. They want to earn that's why they produce content that is relatable but they forget that they have EQUAL POWER TO SHAPE WHAT IS RELATABLE TO THE MASSES. Someone has to enforce this responsibility to production companies, that movies produced should not just adjust to what they think would fulfill their capitalistic pursuits, but should also challenge and educate people." - Edgardo Alegre Jr.

Nakakainis lang, kung kailan magaganda ang line up saka naman sasabihing the films will be shown in fewer theaters. Is this the downside of non-commercial, awesome quality film festival!? Weird nyo po lahat!!!

"Filipinos will be treated to a series of promising local films for Christmas this year. Eight movies made it to the list of entries of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which will run from December 25 until the first week of January 2017. From a horror piece featuring a deacon and the devil, to a romantic science fiction marked with creative animations, the MMFF promises a wide range of movies that would make the holidays a wonderful experience for film buffs. Take a look at the trailers of the finalists and choose which to watch this Christmas -- or better yet, watch them all!" - GMA Network

"We fully support all 2016 MMFF entries, as well as all Filipino films outside the festival. Let's work together to make this year's festival successful. Sa words nga ni Aling Maliit at ni Bossing, "Bawal ang sad, dapat happy!"" - Saving Sally