Here are the movies included in the list of MMFF controversies
MMFF Controversies – Here is the list of controversial movies in the history of the Metro Manila Film Festival.
Several movies included in the official entries of MMFF went controversial for various reasons. The film festival did not just give birth to movies that gave entertainment and laughter to moviegoers but it came to a point that issues were raised.
In 1977, award-winning director Lino Brocka walked out during the 3rd MMFF awards night. It is because the movie of Star for all Season Vilma Santos, Burlesk Queen bagged almost all the awards including the Best Picture Awards. Rumors also circulated that the award-giving body told them to give back the trophies, however, Vilma disproved this.
A year after that, the judges of the film fest decided to give Superstar Nora Aunor the Best Performer Award. There was no Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor awards at that time. According to the article from Abante, many predicted that Vilma will win that time but it was Nora who was awarded. Then, this line of the Superstar became famous, “Mama, mali ang hula nila!”
During the 80s, there were also several MMFF controversies. In 1983, movie fans were surprised that Coney Reyes and Anthony Alonzo won the Best Actress and Best Actor awards, respectively. It is because moviegoers saw the superb performances of Charito Solis, Phillip Salvador, and Vic Silayan for the movie “Karnal”. Reportedly, this was also questioned by Lino Brocka.
Three years after that, Tingting Cojuangco, one of the jurors of MMFF 1986 said, “No one of the seven entries deserved these awards. We would like to express our concern over the current state of the Philippine movie industry as reflected in the entries to the year’s MMFF. The entries failed to reinforce and inculcate positive Filipino values by portraying negative stereotypes, imitating foreign films and perpetuating commercially-oriented movies…” The judges only give the 3rd Best Picture to Halimaw sa Banga/Komiks and they did not award the Best Picture and 2nd Best Picture that year.
In 1988, Baldo Marro gained much popularity when he won the Best Actor award for his movie Patrolman. He overpowered Christopher de Leon for Magkano Ang Iyong Dangal? and Fernando Poe Jr. for Aguila Ng Maynila.
In the new era of Philippine movies, the controversies continued. Cesar Montano won the Best Actor award in 2001 for the movie Bagong Buwan, however, the said film did not win as Best Picture. Because of that, the award-winning actor expressed his disappointment. “For me, Bagong Buwan is still the best picture. No offense meant, but for others, Yamashita may be the best picture. Kanya-kanya ‘yan. Wala nga lang kaming trophy. Bibili na lang kami ng trophy sa Recto!” he said. The movie Yamashita: The Tiger’s Treasure won that year.
In 2002, many people questioned the result of the awards night. The cast members of Dekada ’70 walked out when Lualhati Baustista did not win for Best Story and Best Screenplay. Several movie fans also questioned the Best Actress award for Ara Mina because many expected that Vilma Santos deserved that. Some also questioned why Spirit Warriors won the 3rd Best Picture when it was not already included in the official list of entries.
In 2006, the movie of Vic Sotto, Enteng Kabisote 3 won the Best Picture Award. Many could simply not accept that a commercial will win over its opponents such as Ligalig, Matakot Ka Sa Karma, and Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo.
Director Tikoy Aguiluz did not accept his Best Director award for the movie Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story in 2011. The filmmaker said that “the movie was edited without his consent beyond his recognition.”
In 2015, director Erik Matti questioned the MMFF jurors for disqualifying his move Honor Thy Father led by John Lloyd Cruz for not including it in the Best Picture category. The award-giving body reasoned out that the movie was also already screened in Cinema One Originals. However, the director said that there was no such rule, based on the article.
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