Disqualified Cinemalaya director refuses reconsideration
Thanks, but no, thanks.
That's what director Emerson Reyes told organizers of the 2012 Cinemalaya film festival and its institutional partner, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, when they offered to reconsider accepting his disqualified entry "MNL 143," with some conditions.
A few months ago, "MNL 143" was dropped from being in contention because of Reyes's "refusal to comply with competition rules governing submission of test videos of casting choices," according to a Cinemalaya press release.
Reyes had wanted to cast actors Allen Paule and Joy Viado as lead stars in his movie about an overseas Filipino worker who returns home, works as an FX cab driver and searches for his lost love. The festival committee disqualified Reyes because he ignored their advice to rethink his actors.
'Just move on'
Reyes told Yahoo! Philippines OMG! that he responded to the reconsideration in an email message to CCP Vice President Chris Millado.
"Thank you for reconsidering my film," Reyes wrote. "I feel that it would be to the best interest of everyone to just move on and to continue with the film with help of some benefactors outside Cinemalaya. Your presence there will surely bring in a great deal of welcome change. All the best to you Sir Chris and thank you again for your support and concern for independent filmmakers."
In spite of the disqualification, Reyes told Yahoo! Philippines OMG!, "We're done now with 'MNL 143.'"
Reyes's first full-length movie is set for an international premiere in a yet-to-be-disclosed location and a Philippine premiere in July, the same month the Cinemalaya festival opens.
8th Cinemalaya official selection
In the meantime, Gino Santos and Jeff Stelton's "The Animals" will be replacing "MNL 143" in the New Breed Full Length Feature Category.
Other films competing in this category are Emmanuel Palo's "Santa Nina," Vincent Sandoval's "Aparisyon," Mes de Guzman's "Diablo," Lemuel Lorca and Jerry Gracio's "Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino," Alfred Aloysius Adlawan's "Ang Katiwala," Marietta Jamora's "Ang Nawawala," Paul Sta. Ana's "Oros," Julius Sotomayor Cena's "Mga Dayo" and Loy Arcenas's "Requieme."
Adlofo Alix Jr.'s "Kalayaan," Joey Javier Reyes's "Mga Mumunting Lihim," Raymond Red's "Kamera Obskura," Jun Lana's "Bwakaw" and Lawrence Fajardo's "Posas" will be competing in the Director's Showcase Category.
Competing in the New Breed Short Film Category are Nadjoua Bansil's "Bohe: Son of the Sea," Sigrid Andrea Bernardo's "Ang Paghihintay sa Bulong," Mario Celada's "Pasahero," Sheron Dayoc's "As He Sleeps," Marianito Dio Jr.'s "Sarong Aldaw," Emmanuel Escalona Jr.'s "Balintuna," Hannah Espia's "Ruweda," Chuck Gutierrez's "Ulian," Richard Legaspi's "Manenaya" and Jarell Serencio's "Victor."
The 8th Cinemalaya Film Festival will run from July 20 to 29 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Ayala Cinemas in Greenbelt Makati and Trinoma in Quezon City.
