Meet the Directors at DLS-CSB
Directors Joel Lamangan, Pepe Diokno, Perci Intalan and Mike Sandejas shared their insights and opinions on the current state of local cinema before filmmaking students of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) and film enthusiasts, in an open forum titled Meet the Directors:
The Veterans and The Maverick at the college’s School of Design and Arts (SDA) Theater.
In partnership with Benildean Filmworks, the institution’s official film organization, the seminar was moderated by director Jose Javier Reyes, program chairperson of Digital Filmmaking, which celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Intalan, president of The IdeaFirst Company, which focuses on content creation, clarified that there are numerous productions every year. However, the problem is the lack of venues, for these have been gobbled up by foreign films, as well as cer- tain powers that prevent commercial screenings of some works.
The speakers also discussed other factors affecting the decline of the country’s cinema. One of the most crucial issues facing the film industry is distribution and its fair share of local releases at the theaters without being pulled out unceremoniously by major mall operators.
The panelists agreed that the mall board of directors treat films as businesses and are more inclined towards profits, more than the hard work and passion of artists or the directors.
Sandejas claimed that movie makers should look at what is more challenging, audience preferences, and what works.
“I think the method of distribution has changed viewing habits, especially for young people. They have lesser attention spans and everything is readily available on their smartphones. So, the path I am taking is I am exploring that. The way I see things is we have to open Philippine cinema doors to utilize the new methods of distribution to new media,” he declared.
Lamangan, who created Mano Po movies, lamented that the Philippine cinema is declining. He said the status of Philippine movie is critical and there are only few who watch film on cinemas.
The group pointed out one key indicator in the waning of Philippine cinema is the spawning of film festi- vals, which are avenues even for filmmakers with established names to air their masterpieces on the big screen.
Diokno shared that these film festivals likewise play a big part in supporting up-and-coming filmmakers in their quest to get their stories told.
The jury concluded that television has greatly affected the appetite of Filipinos to watch movies as the stars in noontime variety shows and primetime teleseryes are the same actors in films.