Direk Mae Cruz-Alviar on ‘Rewind’ success...

industry is struggling, it is a miracle to reach this kind of financial success and reach millions, and send out the beautiful message of our film. So Lods, thank you again and again!”

Describe the state of the Philippine movie industry and what can the government do to help it?

“It’s not how it used to be. As direk Joey Reyes put it, it is ‘dismal.’ Times are hard and with the steep price of movie tickets, people are not too keen on spending their hard-earned money on watching movies for entertainment.

“These days, there are so many options that are free and more convenient to watch. It is a challenge to create a film that could make the people troop to the cinemas again. It is a risk for producers so they carefully choose concepts to invest on.

“My hope is for theater owners to lower the price of movie tickets. A theater chain had a one-day promo of lowered ticket prices and cinemas were packed! Goes to show that it’s only the cost that’s in the way.

“I am grateful that the Metro Manila Council has waived the 10-percent amusement tax for local films’ screenings in NCR for the next three years. This is a huge help for producers. We wish it may extend to a resolution of lowering the ticket prices as well.”

Is being a female an asset or liability as a director? Why?

“I never felt that it was distinctly an asset and/or a liability because so far the people I’ve worked with have treated me like an equal. Perhaps this can be labeled as a liability: monthly periods and pregnancy (or the inability thereof to conceive). PMS can get in the way of work but women nevertheless go about enduring it.

“When you’re pregnant, not all women can go about their normal directing functions. Others have difficult pregnancies and need to go on bed rest. Too much stress can also affect the baby in the womb. Stress also can cause women to have difficulty conceiving and to shake it off, a sabbatical to rest might even be needed just to get the body pregnancy ready (which is what I had to do…but still had miscarriages).

“Another liability as a female director is needing to find a decent rest room just to pee! I think the few occasions I felt that there is a discrimination is when a female is boxed into stereotypes. Like a woman can’t do action sequences simply because she’s a girl.”

Is there a Mae Cruz-Alviar signature look for your works?

“Hmmm. I don’t know if I have a signature look. I have been doing a lot of romantic comedies and they’re mostly glossy. I tend to use slow motion a lot for romantic scenes. I don’t know if that’s what it is, honestly.

“When I shoot a scene, I base it on what’s needed for the story. That’s why I’m not aware if subconsciously there’s a trademark look for my works.”

What is your dream project? Who will star in it?

“My dream project is to direct a film written by myself and produced not for profit primarily but to feed my passion. I’ve always done projects assigned to me. It is my dream to one day tell my own stories.

“A dream concept is a period film, possibly either the story of my maternal grandmother and her one great love or the triumph-ofthe-spirit story of my paternal grandmother during World War II. No casting idea yet.”

Your advice to those aspiring to be film or TV directors?

“Be authentic. As filmmakers, we have a social responsibility to our audience. We have the power to influence because of the impact of the message of our stories. There is also a wide reach when we send out our message because of the nature of the medium so we must use this power wisely.

“As my dad said before, you can’t cut corners in life and can’t put a price tag on experience. Don’t be in a rush to get to that position. Appreciate the training process. “Keep learning and forever be a student. “Never stop creating…Even after a failed project.

“You’re as good as your last project. Don’t rest on your laurels.”

What does your husband say about your success?

“My husband, Benj, is my No. 1 fan, my No. 1 supporter. So supportive in fact that he has appeared several times in my films as a priest, mayor, doctor, etc. Hahaha! I’m so blessed he can work remotely and this allows him to be with me wherever my shoot would be.

“He’s also a movie buff so he’s very much interested in what I do. Through the highs and lows of the process, he is there to cheer me on and sometimes just simply there to hold my hand for support. Is he happy about my success? Happy would be an understatement!”