MMFF Executive Committee Withdraws ‘Oro’ Film From Cinemas

MMFF ExeCom had a recent decision on “Oro’ Film after allegations of animal cruelty.

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Executive Committee has finally decided to temporarily withdraw the film ‘Oro’ from cinemas nationwide due to allegations of animal cruelty.

This came days after it has stripped the movie “Oro” of one of its awards amid questions over possible violations of the Animal Welfare Act in the course of its filming, where a dog was allegedly killed, which is a subject for investigation.

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In an interview with ANC on Wednesday, January 4, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairperson and MMFF committee member Liza Dino said the order will be upheld until the scene where the killing and gutting of a dog has been deleted and the edited version of the movie has been surrendered to the body.

Dino added that after an investigation was conducted on the film conducted by Alvin Yapan, the MMFF executive committee has established, among others, that there was a dog that was killed in the film, however, no one from the production team did the actual killing.

“There was a designated townsfolk who performed the ritual. That person supposedly knows how to kill the dog the least harmful or painful way,” Dino said.

The FDCP noted that the “Oro” filming team maintains that no animal was harmed “for the purpose of the film.”

“They said that they are just documenting a cultural practice held in that part of Bicol where dogs are eaten as food.

One of the arguments there was that was it premeditated or was it just documented?” she added.

As of this time, the MMFF executive committee is still having the deliberation on other sanctions that the committee can explore regarding the said matter.

“It was an initial decision. We wanted to come up with an initial decision that ‘Oro’ production would agree with. They actually agreed with the disclaimer sa lahat ng box office saying there are graphic scenes that may be offensive and the deletion of the scene,” Dino said.

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On the other hand, Dino appreciates the cooperation of the “Oro” team since the inquiry began.

“They complied with what was in the agreement. I didn’t hear any sort of protest from them. Kahapon talaga nag-start ‘yung issuance of notice sa lahat ng cinema owners to stop the screening. They complied,” she said.

Speaking about the alleged animal cruelty, Dino said they will leave it to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) if it will file a legal complaint against the production team of the movie.

Dino clarified that filing of the case no longer falls under MMFF’s jurisdiction.

“It’s PAWS’ call to file the case. On our end, we are doing our due diligence on acting on the matter, complying with what was agreed upon, following it and making sure that it is implemented,” she said.

To recall, the executive committee of MMFF have stripped “Oro” of one of its awards after the animal cruelty allegations.

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