While the annual Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is a platform for the release of many award-winning indie films, most stars who appear in them don’t exactly expect awards in their performances.
Take Marian Rivera for one.
While Marian has finally decided to embark in doing independently produced movies, she doesn’t really expect to be recognized as an actress in the film “Balota” directed by the progressive filmmaker Kip Oebanda.
“Hindi naman po ako nag-i-expect ng award sa movie na ito. Ang mahalaga ay nagawa ko ang pelikula para sa ating mga kababayan (I don’t expect an award in this movie. What is important is that I am able to do the project for our fellow countrymen),” said Rivera in an interview at the press conference of the 30th Cinemalaya held Wednesday afternoon at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.
The actress said that portraying roles onscreen that inspire the people to decide and act to improve their lives is more than an award for her.
When she was offered the role in the election-related narrative, Marian didn’t mince words to proceed with the production of the movie.
The creative group of “Balota” is indeed ready to fight tooth and nail to influence the voting consciousness of the Filipino in elections.
Kip as the director of the film is tired of politicians who don’t really perform their duties for the improvement of the life of the Filipino.
“Sawang-sawa na ako sa mga pulitiko na hindi naman talaga nag-iisip at gumagawa ng mga paraan para sa pag-unlad ng ating bayan (I am tired of politicians who don’t really think and do things for the development of our country),” said Oebanda in essence.
This is his answer to the question of the role of politics in the real progress of the nation.
Cinemalaya 2024 runs from August 2 to 11, 2024 at Ayala Malls in Pasay City.
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