Until now, the stand of award-winning filmmaker Erik Matti about including Vice Ganda’s movie, “Praybeyt Benjamin 3,” in the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival is firm and grounded on his beliefs and convictions.
By Boy Villasanta
This was when the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Selection Committee of the MMFF recently released the first four official entries to the annual film fiesta, including the Vice Ganda starrer series.
Being a film artist of no mean achievements, many movie people believe that Erik is ready to face up anyone who would challenge his opinion.
According to Erik, the local movie industry is down and it needs the lift and support of all sectors.
Not A Solution
He expressed belief that showing a Vice Ganda film isn’t a solution to the problems of the business he is committed to serve.
In his social media posts, the fighting director seemed to be saying the country needs to watch more meaningful films.
“Bagsak na nga ang pelikula, sumara na ABS, Praybeyt Benjamin pa rin palabas sa Pasko (The local movies are down, ABS-(CBN) is already closed, Praybeyt Benjamin is still the one showing in Christmas?),” Erik asked.
Redeeming Values
Then, Erik said, nothing has changed for the better in the local film business!
“Walang nagbago a! Kinangkina! (Nothing has changed, huh! Kinangkina (a Filipino expression of disgust),” Matti wrote in his Facebook spaces.
The box-office director stressed the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t taught Filipinos any redeeming values in the “5 months lockdown”.
“Thousands of content binged. Biggest network closes. Praybeyt Benjamin. We never learned,” Erik wrote in his other post.
OK’d MMFF Entries
The other three other movies officially included in the MMFF lineup are: Joshua Garcia’s “Ang Kaibigan ni Mama Susan,” directed by Chito S. Roño, which also stars the magnificent Angie Ferro; Jun Urbano and Bibeth Orteza’s “Magikland”, and Alex and Toni Gonzaga’s “The Exorcism of my Siszums.”
“Praybeyt Benjamin” is a Viva Entertainment and ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. co-venture; “Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan” is a Regal Entertainment offering; “Magikland” is a co-production between Brightlight Leisure, Inc. and Gallaga-Reyes Films, and “The Exorcism of my Siszums” is a production of Tincan.
Photo Credit: Erik Matti’s Facebook page