There is a brewing war between two film artists regarded as well-meaning and serious moviemakers that if not contained could result in artistic and economic crises in the entertainment industry.
We are talking about the ongoing feud between award-winning director Erik Matti and prizewinning Director of Photography Neil Daza.
The row started when the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) called for a meeting among members of various guilds under the umbrella of the agency to sort out labor problems that exist in every nook and cranny of the industry from producers to the working masses.
The discussion would also involve the implementation of the Eddie Garcia Law that protects the interests of the working class like actors, directors, writers, production designers, production managers, make-up artist, boom men, clapper, sound men, runner, utility and other proletarian sectors of the film art and business.
Every member of the community like movie producers, investors, bookers, distributors and other stakeholders were expected to attend the dialogue to thresh out plans and impediments that hinder the growth of the local film industry.
Neil in his social media posts, pointed to an anonymous individual in the industry with these sharp comments: “So much passion for making films, yet no passion to show up when it comes to labor issues.”
Erik, on his part, thought it was he who was being insinuated by the social media remarks of Daza.
Matti said, it was definitely him who was being described by Neil because “Alam kong ako yan dahil galing ka lang sa FAP mediation at hinahanap mo kami ni (I knew it was me you’re referring to because you have just come from the FAP mediation and you’re looking for me and) Dondon.
“‘Wag mo na daanin sa general statement. Alam naman ng lahat sa industriya na gigil ka sa akin. Di naman ito yung una mong hanash (Just don’t let it through a general statement. The whole industry knows that you peeve at me. Actually, this is not the first time that you hashed tagged me),” noted Erik.
Matti, sarcastically said that Neil “is the one” (“ikaw na”).”
“Ikaw na ang tagapaglaban ng industriya (You are the fighter for the industry), Neil Daza.
“Ikaw na ang sukatan kung sino ang may malasakit sa pelikula at sa (You are the gauge and the exemplar of one who sympathizes with the movies and the) labor,” said the director of award-winning films as “OJT,” “Buy Bust,” “OJT 2: The Missing 8,” “Honor Thy Father,” among other critically acclaimed films.
Neil is also an awarded cinematographer of such films as “Blue Room,” “Emir,” “Firefly” etc.
Meanwhile, fellow filmmaker Jay Altarejos mediated: “Awat na (Truce/Peace).”
Jay has the brotherly piece of advice as a colleague of the two outstanding filmmakers.
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