AFTER five years of promoting independent motion picture, finally internationally acclaimed Asian film director Brillante Mendoza has seen a better appreciation for the alternative art movement among Filipino moviegoers.
The director said this is a result of a series of film appreciation activities that they have been conducting nationwide in partnership with SM wherein students are able to understand more about the intricacies involved in such art by showing them the behind the scenes of shooting a movie.
"Lumalawak ang kaalaman, nagkakaroon ng appreciation, at respeto sa pelikula because this time nalalaman nilang mahirap palang gumawa ng pekiluka. It’s a long journey, not easy to do," Brillante said.
Brillante said there’s more to alternative film which everyone should realize considering that it is more realistic. It also depicts the Filipino culture, which is not obviously seen in Hollywood mainstream movies and it is more educational as it teaches Filipinos to appreciate more their own culture.
Producing an indie film is risky because there is no assurance of any return of your investment unlike the commercial films which are fully promoted in the market. But this does not stop the director from pursuing his advocacy to educate students about alternative film.
Last March 11, Brillante had a successful film appreciation and workshop held at SM Baguio Cinema 1. This was attended by at least 600 pupils elementary and high school and college in Baguio and Benguet.
The director said he has seen the big support of the local government officials for the project like Councilor Fred Bagbagen and Vice Mayor Edison Bilog who attended the Brillante Film Appreciation and Cocktails organized by SM afternoon of March 10.
But there’s a need for the Department of Education to also help lead the campaign for the project.
The Brillante Film Appreciation and Workshop project is through the efforts of SM Marketing and Communication Group headed by Vice President Millie Dizon and support from SM Baguio headed by Mall Manager Marc Jansen Pe.
There is a need to have a maximum exposure for indie films for better appreciation. Bringing these films in malls is one way of reaching out to the moviegoers who deserve to be offered with movies with content.
Show them a film, which will not only entertain but most importantly educate them.
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