Victorina is known for having grueling arguments in the comments section as well as in its main posts. While I was going through a reader's piece of writing, I couldn’t help but do a rejoinder. So enjoy!
Reader says:
We interrupt this program to bring you another bit of bad news.
It is a Sunday so let us set aside some political squabbles and mourn for the death of an institution of Philippine pop culture – the movie industry. The death of respected movie and television talent manager Douglas Quijano is, pardon the pun, the final nail in the coffin that puts to rest Showbiz – the movie industry as knew it.
Quijano, arguably the best iconic representative of a culture defined by star power, adulation and even mass hysteria (see Nora Aunor, Sharon Cuneta) was found dead in his rest house in Lucban, Quezon. He was 64. Grooming an impressive stable of stars that made him a key power player in an industry that capitalized on the escapism of Filipinos, Quijano managed the careers and the lives of the likes of Richard Gomez, John Estrada, Joey Marquez, Wendell Ramos, Antonio Aquitania, Anjo Yllana, Gelli de Belen, Jay Aquitania, Benj Basa, and Richard Gutierrez. He was the first manager of actors Tirso Cruz III and Aga Muhlach, Quijano helped turn them into the biggest stars of their respective generations. He also discovered Gwapings trio Mark Anthony Fernandez, Jomari Yllana, and Eric Fructuoso.
But like the rest of the movie industry, those names are not adored anymore nor do they guarantee box office hits. They have become TV commodities, begging for parts in soap operas to help them survive and sustain public interest. This might be a tiresome mantra, but technological advancement killed the movie industry as we know it. For one, stars don’t have an aura of mystery anymore. People needed to buy magazines before to cut out pictures of Sharon Cuneta’s wedding. Now, you just have visit your favorite bloggers and websites.
That DVD technology makes piracy easy (and your friendly Muslim vendor makes it easier to watch) is already old news. But it also makes movie making easier, and thanks to Youtube, anyone who has a camera and a good story to tell will find an audience. The masses still adore stars, but they have wisened up. They need cash. In
I support the movie industry. It is an integral component of our arts and culture. But we hope that our industry leaders, especially those elected in the Senate, can push for real revolution in the film business – where talent, storytelling and world class artistry define our movies.
Amiel Aguilar Cabanlig says:
I admire our Reader’s heartrending sentiment towards the early passing of manager Douglas Quijano. I totally agree with our Reader that Tito Doug will be missed by all of us!
I have worked on and off with Tito Dougs since the mid-80’s; when Danny and Jun Cabrera where still actively making movies. I have seen Tito Doug work grooming his talents; I have even written about and publicized most of his talents and even became a talent myself in several of his line produced movies. However, I couldn’t see how the death of Tito Dougs could put “the final nail in the coffin.”
The talents that our Reader has been yapping about have long lost their LUSTER. Gone are the days of Regal Babies…now we make way for a new generation. Hence, you have John Lloyd-Cruz, Piolo Pascual, Raymond Gutierrez (managed by his mother) and their ilk.
Secondly, since when did we “mourn for the death of an institution of Philippine pop culture – the movie industry?” (I had to make a quick retort to this statement before Victorina gets a thrashing from the UP Film Department.) Yes, the movie industry has taken a new-fangled appearance but I assure you that it is still very alive and kicking. Star Cinema makes at least one movie a month. Mother Lily Monteverde and GMA films can conjure up to five movies a year without batting an eyelash.
Lastly, the digital movie industry has enthused the younger set of filmmakers to produce better quality movies.
mga kwento ni lola basyang!!!
I have worked on and off with Tito Dougs since the mid-80’s; when Danny and Jun Cabrera
The Future of the Movie Industry is Digital-----In a country struggling with limited resources, digital films will allow for the marriage of creativity and practicality. Digital films are less expensive to produce. A digital project could fly for less than PhP1 million. The new cinematic “democracy†could also open movie screens to productions that have greater variety, freshness and depth, says film critic Nestor Torre.
The big cineplexes in the country’s top malls – SM, Robinsons and Star Mall –have started screening digital films. Students are the most enthusiastic amongst the target audience, particularly for alternative digital films.
Currently, the digital film industry and the independent film sector are enjoying a heyday. The government has offered financial and honorific incentives for quality film projects and has already pushed for a reduction in amusement taxes from city mayors. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is also clamping down on video piracy, instituting tougher laws and imposing stricter penalties.
The road ahead seems to be paved with opportunities but Filipino cinema still has a lot of catching up to do, if only to recapture its glory days and perhaps even hold its own against its Asian counterparts.
care ko bast WATCH- John Lloyd and Luis play the role of GAY lovers in the upcoming Star Cinema movie “In My Life” which stars no less than the Star of all Seasons Ms. Vilma Santos.
This is the comeback film of one of the greatest Filipina celebrities of all time. The movie is shot in New York and the cast and crew are currently in the said place to finish the whole movie. It is slated to shown on September 2009.
tama Amiel- PHILIPPINE MOVIES LIVE!
Hello guys...
I beg to differ from on some thoughts...
Philippine movies is filled with blatant product placements, unoriginal stories (politically correct: inspired) and pretty faces... it's not as alive as it was... it's all filled with dramas-that-lower-the-spirit and poverty porn... lol!
Philippine Showbiz system offers less protection to actors, writers, directors etc. TV networks and production companies houses their own sets of talents. If fall out happens, talents are in trouble finding jobs.
The Philippine showbiz structure is very divisive... Quijano's expiry ends an era.
L.P.Leviste resurfaces........
Adieu Monsieur Douglas, you were an official and a gentleman of the highest order.
As Gelli de Belen, John Estrada and many of your wards attest, you were also a father and moral compass for those under your wing.
" Douglas always told us to respect our craft and the industry with humility and professionalism. He would pull us aside if we became MAYABANG. "
In the land of make-believe, escapism, intrique and dirty rotten denizens, SHOWBIZ has lost a TRUE stateman who toiled diligently to his last breath.
In this short attention span, nanosecond fractured flickers of instant fame and even faster instant obscurity, who will keep the gates of decency and parameters of excellence,
Anyone out there ?
Where we churn out stars in some Survivor Show, Big Brother's invading idiot box and the machinated and well calculated selling of soaps, STUDS and retail addiction for whitening products, are we becoming a nation of NUMB, MUTE and spineless bottom feeders who won't get excited unless it's the sex scandals du jour, Annabelle Rama's hubris and Belo bashing?
HERE'S THE RUB, direk Brillante can't even show his award winning KINATAY in local theaters.
What's wrong with this picture.
haay nako! speaking of John Lloyd.
Si brian gorrel na kuryente na naman. hahahaha!
bakla daw si john lloyd with matching picture sa blog nya na nakayapos kay luis manzano.
another proof that people only feed stories to gorrel,e si gorrell naman dahil nga clueless ( ang alam lang ng taong yan eh puro ti** hehehehe) may i post naman na parang breaking news ang dating haahaha bakla daw si John llyod wahahaha! e hindi nya alam kuha yon sa shooting ng movie nila john lloyd & luis haaay naku. basta may ma i post na lang o!
kawawang brian,napaglaruan na naman ng maligno
I agree with Amiel that Philippine Cinema is not dead. There is a revolution going on—both in the independent front and also in well-meaning mainstream film makers. But it’s an uphill climb from here.
It’s just that the repertoire of Philippine Cinema is radically reduced. Thanks to budding indie film makers, film buffs have more choice. Quality is getting better and better!
To analyze "Filipino Cinema" as a whole would not only be futile, but stupid...
Agree with Amiel that cinema is evolving!
NESTOR TORRE says FOR A DECADE now, the mainstream Filipino movie industry has languished in a deep and dismal slump, with its annual output cut down from a high of 200 features to a low of less than 50. “Indie” films have tried to fill in the blank, but many of its productions haven’t substantially reached and connected with the huge mainstream audience.
Popularity
Instructively, at about the same time, television has surged to unprecedented heights of popularity, with its daytime and evening teleseryes topping the ratings and pulling in millions of viewers—just like a big mainstream movie used to do.
Thus, our latest pop-cultural epiphany: Contrary to the usual pessimistic scuttlebutt, the Filipino movie industry isn’t dead, it isn’t dying—it’s alive and well: On TV.
The last time we counted, there were some 20 different drama series on the small screen. With the major channels changing series from three to four times a year apiece, that’s an annual total of some 100 different productions. —That’s an entire “film” industry’s very respectable annual output right there!
Star value
Of course, TV drama series really aren’t movies—but, wait a minute: Other similarities include the series’ star value, with multiple TV-movie luminaries headlining them to assure strong viewer interest, and the shows’ budgets that run into the millions, some of them rivaling the big bucks invested in blockbuster films.
Plus: These days, many teleseryes use the titles and plots of movies that were popular many years ago, further strengthening the film-TV connection.
Note, too, that many movie stars aren’t facing the film cameras these days, so they would be jobless and penniless—if they weren’t so busy acting in teleseryes. So, the serial TV “movies” have also provided the important service of keeping many film stars financially secure and solvent. And they are able to practice their craft—well, sort of.
That’s one of the negative aspects of this TV-movie equation: The acting on teleseryes is generally stereotypical, overly melodramatic, full of sound and fury signifying little—and thus, not really very good. In fact, sometimes, it’s quite bad.
One of the reasons for this is the fact that daily soaps “have” to be full of “colorful” characters, situations, problems and complications, in order to keep regular viewers interested and watching. Each daily “chapter” “has” to end with a new dramatic twist that will be resolved in the following day’s installment, and that doesn’t make for good storytelling or acting.
Victims
Worse, hit teleseryes end up as victims of their own success. To make more money out of popular drama series, they are stretched out for months, and their original storylines get so distended that they end up making no sense at all.
Worst of all, to economize, teleseryes are produced in ‘round the clock taping binges with many sequences shot per day. As any TV worker will tell you, that numbing schedule soon takes its toll on everybody’s performance. After a while, cast and crew members become mere factory workers who simply churn out quantity rather than quality.
So, everything considered, TV series don’t end up as good “movies”—but, they are popular, and that makes them “mainstream.” So they still end up as yet another alternative “film” industry to help all of us bide our time, until the real movie industry recovers!
TV series don’t end up as good “movies”—but, they are popular, and that makes them “mainstream.”
BADUY ang TV teleserye "acting"
Eh basta I love John LLoyd Cruz forever!
A released movie is imposed a 30% amusement tax, translating to a formula that a movies have to gross three times the capital for it to just break even. So a 10 million movie must earn more than 30 million at the box-office otherwise it would all have been for nothing. Although "pito-pito" films try to find a way...
Oo nga Rain puro LOLA na ang mga ito. Richard Gomez, John Estrada, Joey Marquez, Wendell Ramos, Antonio Aquitania, Anjo Yllana, Gelli de Belen, Jay Aquitania...
Mother Lily and her films SUX!!! As for the digital movie industry-enough with the pink films! It's a)tiring b)same old line-up and c)same treatment (it gets boring)...
Why not make films like "CRYING LADIES" the plot is simple but it has a wonderful script-LOVED IT!!!
gay or straight I LOVE JLC!
Dear E,
To each his own. For me there is no film better than ORO, PLATA, MATA... The character VERING reminds me of TINYTIM!
mensa
Film? Curacha is great... Manila sa Kuko is fabulous and Himala is still queen when it comes to acting!
Hay naku long live GAY INDIE!
Isn't the only indie, gay-indie? Which makes it BORING! Nearly all indie produced in this country is GAY, GAY, GAY. I have nothing against gay flicks, but too much of a good thing makes one barf, even if one IS gay.
Mahal ko si John Lloyd forever...
Dear Rain,
You claim that the film industry is DEAD... Why then did BIGFOOT open? Why did St.Benilde open a huge film department. Why is the UP Film Institute growing?
I watched Amiel in Eastwood & Bronson: Pablihasa detektib (1989) .... with Richard G and Joey M!!
DID you know that the Philippine film industry is already 110 years old? For an industry that’s always being talked about as nearing its death, that’s record longevity, and truly something to celebrate.
To mark the milestone, the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) presents Ani Awards, a tribute to Filipino movie greats, on February 23 at the Aliw Theater at the CCP Complex.
It will be a grand production funded by Manila Broadcasting Corp., which has been handling the Metro Manila Film Festival promotions and awards nights since 2004. The event is also a fundraising activity for Mowelfund.
Comedians Nanette Inventor and Leo Martinez will host the awards night, which honors artists who have made significant contributions to the local movie industry. Mayor Vilma Santos of Lipa, Senator Bong Revilla, Christopher de Leon, Rudy Fernandez, Sunshine Cruz, Cesar Montano, Jericho Rosales, Heart Evangelista, Phillip Salvador, Toni Gonzaga, are among those who have committed to grace the show.
“Ani” is a Filipino word that means harvest. Nick de Ocampo, Mowelfund Film Institute director, explains, “The Ani Awards is a harvest of the golden years of local cinema. By looking back to the 110 years of Philippine Cinema, we are also in a way looking forward to better years ahead.”
To be honored by today’s top stars through memorable production numbers are Don Jose Nepomuceno, producer of the first Filipino silent film; National Artist Atang de la Rama, queen of zarzuela and kundiman; legendary screen love team Rogelio de la Rosa and Carmen Rosales; and Rosa del Rosario, the very first Darna of Philippine cinema.
Movie stalwarts will also pay tribute to the King of Philippine Movies and National Artist for Film Fernando Poe Jr., the King of Philippine Comedy
Dolphy, and former President Joseph Estrada, founder of Mowelfund.
“Mowelfund started 32 years ago with a big extravaganza that raised funds for impoverished movie workers. We wish to replicate that same zeal and commitment from all the industry workers with this tribute even as we encourage today’s young stars to honor the senior stars of yesteryear who sowed the glorious years of Philippine cinema with their passion and talent, shares Boots Anson-Roa,” Mowelfund executive director.
Mowelfund aims to ensure that marginalized movie workers can still enjoy social security despite tough times in the industry. An exhibit of the Ani Awardees is continuing until February 23 at the Aliw Theater Lobby.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Movie Press Club is all set to give out its Star Awards for Movies on March 23, thus signaling the beginning of the movie awards season in the country.
The Star Awards for Movies will be held at the UP Theater. We hear that the male hosts will likely be Aga Muhlach and Ryan Agoncillo. PMPC president Fernan de Guzman and the Star Awards executive committee are still negotiating for the female host. The list of performers is now being finalized.
L.P.Leviste resurfaces........HAS BEEN!!!
I love the arguments kahit nakakahilo!
nimfa said...
gay or straight I LOVE JLC!
June 15, 2009 10:47 AM
It shouldn't matter what Johns sexual preference is. But it does.
ps. FEED ME!!!!!!!
Anonymous said...
L.P.Leviste resurfaces...
Bakit? Sino ka ba?
KSA naman 'to......
The good news is, Eddie Romero, the only living National Artist for Film is still making movies -- digital movies, that is, and they rock!
But Rain isn't really wrong. The traditional movies are into one of their perpetual doldrums, and have been there for a long time...parang near death experience na rin.
When you see movie actors doing nothing but tv, you know something's wrong. When talent managers lord over the careers of many, that sucks.
Nothing wrong at all with digital and indie films, but what's the use if money can't be generated? What good will it do to the careers involved if only a few will get to see these films? Prestige and international recognition is well and good, but will that put food on the table at the end of the day?
With the better choices people now have on dvd, I don't see the industry thriving unless censorship is eliminated once and for all...and that's just for starters. Other commenters above have already stated other problems in the industry...and I agree with most of them.
I'm sad for a few individuals in the industry who are really good and likeable people...but like our other institutions, it needs cleansing...a lot of it!
To say that local cinema lives is just a way of saving face. At present, the reality is GRIM...and YOU know it.
______________________________
P.S. Douglas Q. was a good man. He was one of the few roses in a sea of thorns.
I think the future of movies is to screen or show it for free.
Crazy, right?
But, perhaps not really. We have youtube videos that are basically made for the purpose of viral marketing... the advertiser foots to bill, people get to watch and are entertained, they buy the product and voila, the cycle repeats itself...
This is the simple and ideal way of looking at it...
Of course, massive movie budgets may not allow this but may be indie films can be a good test project...
Perhaps for a fraction of the cost of producting and airing a Tv commercial, Jollibee or Italianis or Shakeys can give people 'grants' that would allow aspiring young indie film makers to make 10 minute movies (just right for youtube)...
They get fame, the advertiser gets publicity, people get entertained, and the cycle repeats itself...
What say you?
bunny boy said...
Isn't the only indie, gay-indie? Which makes it BORING! Nearly all indie produced in this country is GAY, GAY, GAY. I have nothing against gay flicks, but too much of a good thing makes one barf, even if one IS gay.
June 15, 2009 11:58 AM
yeah, why bother calling them indies when it's mostly gay-themed? might as well kill the industry with being tedious.
No, it's not dead...but it's close to that.
Relying on "hope" alone will never save the industry, but removing amusement taxes and the ever-destructive P.D. 1986 might be a good start.
Otherwise, what the public gets is mostly garbage...and film buffs remain better-off with pirated dvds.
It was Actor/Director Soxie Topacio, a dear friend who alerted me of Douglas Quijano's passing last Saturday just a few minutes after he succumbed to heart failure.
As with the Council, I believe the movie industry is not dead. But I also believe that like government, it needs to purge itself of its old habits of trying to sell a supposedly new but totally rehashed movie shown in local cinemas.
So it was a breath of fresh air that just recently, Sine Direk was showcased in several theaters. Top Notch of its offerings was "Ded Na Si Lolo", a comedy sans the slapstick formula about the several pamahiin that Filipino families go through when a family member dies with the problems and hurt that comes out when families congregate in situations such as these.
It shouldn't matter what Johns sexual preference is. But it does.
Brian it doesn't because he is cute and lovable and harmless. totally sweet guy!
Trixie says "but Rain isn't really wrong."
So what Trixie- medyo wrong lang?
fred
james said...
I watched Amiel in Eastwood & Bronson: Pablihasa detektib (1989) .... with Richard G and Joey M!!
YIKES I WATCHED THIS FILM!
i agree with amiel-Lastly, the digital movie industry has enthused the younger set of filmmakers to produce better quality movies.
NEVER BEFORE have we dreamed of winning the Cannes- ONLY NOW! It's a GREAT LEAP!
Brian it doesn't because he is cute and lovable and harmless. totally sweet guy!
i agree- brian gorrell mess around with your Canadian actors but leave JLC alone- period!
grrrrrr!
i agree- brian gorrell mess around with your Canadian actors but leave JLC alone- period!
YES BRIAN LEAVE JLC ALONE! stick to DJM!
I AGREE! i would die for jlc- blog your own country
Frida dear... don't die for any man. Gay or straight, especially a closeted man terrified to be honest with his audience of 'swooners'.
JLC should just come out of the 'closet' and be a gorgeous fabulous cock loving homosexual.
Very dramatic darls to die over a cinema star who you will never meet...
Hahaha, Canadian actors?.....
BORING!!! So I'll keep blogging the Philippines , thank you very much. I have earned the right after 1000 entries... and the fact that I kicked this whole shebang off!
YOU blog my country peeps! I can assure you it's VERY boring.
JLC. GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY!!!!!!
GGGGGRRRRRRRRRR
Gays hiding in their closets... ...... is like self inflicted homophobia.. and we all suffer because of their fear and selfishness.
-Brian Gorrell
Perhaps Rain was just stuck in an era that was. Watching the 80s flicks in Cinema 1 reminds me of how showbiz was back then, and yea, it was all too different than how it is at present. And Douglas Quijano was one of the pillars of building that said "era" of Philippine showbiz.
But I think it was also Douglas himself who marked the end of that era, not because Philippine showbiz was going to the dogs, but rather there was a room for change. While Rain thinks the entertainment industry collapsed due to immense consumerism and materialism where the next batch of managers sold their talents like commodities to audiences who at that time could not yet determine what they want, I meanwhile think that the transition of Philippine showbiz provided a wider ground for aspiring actors and actresses to compete. And as the competition grew steeper, it also provided room for another evolution, independent films.
Can't we rather be thankful that this said "end of an era" provided us with better choices, not to mention a more evident social stratification of the movies to watch?
Back then, if there's no substantial Pinoy movie to watch, we opt for American films. And then we say we're bouncing back to neocolonialism. Now we have better choices, for if we get tired of mainstream flicks, we can then see indie films, which provide us with a good storyline sans the "star" power. Well, what we're after here is a "matinong kwento" and not a 2-hour roll of film consisting of a roster of today's teen starlets playing themselves in a plot that features nothing but the brands which helped the movie come into production.
Douglas, being one of the most powerful people in showbiz during his time, provided the entertainment industry with majority the actors and actresses we have today. His power never ceased,and he could have prevented this so-called death of Philippine showbiz, as Rain puts it. But like any other parent, Douglas had to set his children free, and pass the torch to the next batch of artists and managers to not necessarily continue his legacy, but to build the future of Pinoy entertainment.
Philippine showbiz may be in great chaos right now, but hasn't it always been, even during Douglas' time? Only that the issues were different back then.
But the showbiz industry is not dead. Rather it is regenerating back to life, this time with more areas for creativity. Douglas' era has already died a long time before he succumbed to his own.
the problem is not how many movies are being made. the problem is the low quality of these movies. most are rehashed, copied and rushed. these movies are often "starred" by young actors and actresses with questionable acting abilities. what are lacking are quality stories and actors.
Brian is the biggest joke in the blogging community.
Now THAT is funny!
But the showbiz industry is not dead. Rather it is regenerating back to life, this time with more areas for creativity.
AGREE with LYK A VIRGIN
This article is not about JLC OK...
But I admit JLC is a sweetheart. I am crazy about him!
Rico,
Hey, I didn't bring up JLC in this thread. My lurking hater did. I was attacked up top for no good reason at all and I will ALWAYS defend myself against such rubbish. OF COURSE I knew the picture I posted of JLC was from a bloody movie still. The sender of the image made it quite clear!!!!!!!!MAKING a joke about my previous entry!
But I should have explained it as well I suppose.
Trust me I learned my lesson.
My entry was a TONGUE AND CHEEK poke at a previous article I posted about John and Ruffa being an 'item' which was also a 'fantasy pairing' in the bizz. (a joke which everyone got according to comments). Attacking me with the accusation of being 'fed' is just plain wrong and silly. Look at my blog for heavens sakes. I post things from all over the world including Canada and Australia and America. I post what I want and what I'm interested in. Rumors that swirl around some entertainment personalities is of course interesting to me no matter what country they hail from. I know I have haters/lurkers who can't resist a dig at me, and by all mean go ahead.
Do I get hurt when I am attacked? Yes I do. I really do.
But it's all part and parcel with being a blogger with opinions....
And a huge readership that is 95% Filipino.
Filipinos from every corner of the globe.
Peace OUT!
Once again let me declare my love to John Lloyd. Nakakakilig till the tip of my toes.
I love you John Lloyd!
john lloyd has millions of followers... wrong target!
hahaha...i've always felt that luis manzano is gay. lloydie, i have my doubts but where did i read that blind item obviously pertaining to JLC and Ruffa? it went something like - this younger man isnt really courting the older actress but he is actually very close to the brother (Raymond?)-.
ang babaw niyo! nasira tuloy ang topic dahil sa p*t*ngin*ng john lloyd na yan!
hopeless na ang pilipinas dahil sa walang kwentang utak ng ilang tao diyan na puro artista ang nasa isip!
sige, buksan niyo na yung pwet niyo para kay john lloyd! hahahaha
digital technology has allowed budding film makers and poor film makers to be able to produce and make their stories come live.
A great film need not necessarily requires big budget as that genre has been well and truly covered by blockbuster movies. It just need a fantastic storyline that captures and captivates the audience.
many movies in the Philippines needed to appeal to mass audience so often plots and storylines are not that sophisticated otherwise people don't get it and they become financial failures. Its pretty much supply and demand and not just in Manila but also in many provinces throughout.
Even in my youth it was personality driven with Sharon movies and we couldnt get enough of it. And then the BOLDSTAR movies starring stella strada and claudia zobel bless their souls proliferated. They have had great storylines but Shocking nonetheless to the existing status quo.
for me i agree to the sentiments that the dumbing down of the current offerings only reflect the demand. This is unfortunate because as shown by people like Brilliante Mendoza we have talents.
movies need to make money and like the Indian film industry one cannot ask them to suddenly stop bursting into a dance routine in every movie.
like a well worn holey underwear we would soon discard it either coz of shame and/or necessity. New offerings will come.
peace beautiful people.
ang babaw niyo! nasira tuloy ang topic dahil sa p*t*ngin*ng john lloyd na yan!
p*t*ng*ng john llyd kasi ang gwapo nakaka bakla!
p*t*ng*ng john llyd kasi ang gwapo nakaka bakla!
shet pa-kiss nga john lloyd!
shet pa-kiss nga john lloyd!
SARAP!
I love Brian G! Love the hater BG!
"for me i agree to the sentiments that the dumbing down of the current offerings only reflect the demand. This is unfortunate because as shown by people like Brilliante Mendoza we have talents."
--The movie industry in the Philippines has been established not only as a form of art but also a ground for capitalism. And at present the industry is merely following the law of supply and demand, hence the production of dumber (and even dumberer) films.
But choosing between financial success and intellectual salvation, i believe movie producers would of course go for the former. after all, they are businessmen, not scholars.
One thing I've observed is that, today's movie industry has grown to be class-based, with class pertaining to one's intellectual capacity. Ranking is as follows:
Class AB (intellectual elite)- would go for films that have sense, and make sense. (indie films mostly fill this part)
Class CDE (the typical "masa" audience)- mainstream films, to where the hot and famous are. they are fans, not thinkers.
In the case of Brillante Mendoza's work not being able to comply with the taste of the masa, mainstream audience, so what? I'd rather keep him in the indie scene than be recognized by the masses because:
1. the mass audience is not capable of understanding his films to the core, and would rather praise him because he won at the Cannes Film Festival.
2. when something becomes mainstream, the masses would only transform it into something "jologs," until it loses it's true value and becomes a mere film that will easily be forgotten once a new flick of the similar theme and fashion arrives. would i want Brillante Mendoza to grow "laos"? HELL NO!
Choosing between art and business is difficult, and given that this country has adopted a capitalist culture, I can't blame the movie producers for adhering to the law of supply and demand, after all, they are the ones pulling out the investment.
Besides, as I've said, we have more choices when it comes to Pinoy films as compared before. Unless the country is following a socialist-communist culture, we are not in anyway responsible for the deteriorating intellect of the rest of the Filipino moviegoers. We are all given equal opportunity to choose the films we want to watch, regardless of wealth or social class.
Those who are aware of the dying intellect of Pinoy cinema can do no more than influence the viewers by providing free screenings of the good films, like what the UP Film Center does from time to time. The realization and the move towards better movies will come from the "masa manonood" themselves.
But living in this society where "people power" is prone to misuse, abuse and overuse, I believe that that "realization" is yet to materialize.
Do digital and indie film makers do their work with the intention of having their films end-up being shown for FREE at the UP film center? I don't think so.
They simply believe in their work and hope to make a bit o' money with it. I, for one, applaud that kind of spirit.
Admittedly, it's a tough industry to be in if you're CREATIVE. You can also say the same for the music industry (but that's another story).
Unfortunately, the masses are already too dumbed-down to the point that it is useless to wait for them to get involved in a "maturation process".
The studio system, the star system, talent managers who act god-like, showbiz gossip shows on radio and tv, re-hashed telenovelas.....these are just some of MANY factors that contribute to the dumbing-down of the masses.
Can our film industry survive without these factors? If the answer is NO, this discussion becomes futile.
Can our film industry survive without these factors? If the answer is NO, this discussion becomes futile.
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but even if it dies it will be resurrected because new and great ideas coming from others will always bring and breathe new life into it.
some people have already made up their minds that when reality TV came through cinema died. However I have always believed that we will all soon moved into another but hopefully much better than before.
Anonymous said...
No, it's not dead...but it's close to that.
Relying on "hope" alone will never save the industry, but removing amusement taxes and the ever-destructive P.D. 1986 might be a good start.
Otherwise, what the public gets is mostly garbage...and film buffs remain better-off with pirated dvds.
June 15, 2009 6:39 PM
in most cases, true art and commerce hardly goes hand-in-handregardless of the medium (movies, tv, music, or print media).
decades ago, i've already surrendered to the painful fact that the lowest-common-denominator formula rules in this country, especially if we're gonna talk about dividends. i may not like it (shit...i never did), but that's the sorry-ass truth. it's up to the younger visionaries to prove me wrong.
where films are concerned, only time will tell whether we'll see another wave similar to the brocka, bernal, romero, and (mike) de leon era where artistic and modest commercial success was achieved. peque g. and marilou d. a. are also worth mentioning in that line.
btw, whatever happened to that "unitel" production company? they seemed to take a step in the right direction when they started, and i had some hopes for them. are they still producing films? or did they end up losing money too?
Let's face it. The masses don't have what it takes to appreciate art. What they want is entertainment at their level and nothing more. The industry deserves to die!
To be honest, I think the whole movie industry is tired. Stories have become lazy, casting is undeniably lazy (yung pinaka sikat, yun na yon). What we sorely need is a kick in the ass to get our acts together.
But I don't agree that the masses don't have what it takes to appreciate art. It's just that when we give them crap, they become conditioned to love the crap.
Let's stop being lazy and find stories that are true and relevant. Only then will we get out of the mire that we are in.
Nobody wants to make a movie and NOT make any money out of it, especially the big players. Try telling them to make better movies and you'll get the harsh reality for an answer.
The masses wouldn't know art if you stuffed it in their mouths. As mentioned above, they're conditioned to love the crap they've been eating all their lives. It's ridiculous to think that could change overnight. Pinoys pa naman....