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MANILA: Filipino filmmaker Brillante Mendoza brought pride to the Philippines after taking home the Best Director award for his film "Kinatay" at the recent Cannes Film Festival.
But it seems not all his countrymen will be able to watch his much-talked about film.
Mendoza still cannot believe he won Best Director at the recent Cannes Film Festival.
After receiving negative reviews from critics including "worst film in the history of Cannes", Mendoza did not think his film would stand a chance.
He said: ''There were negative criticisms and some were really harsh but I was focused. When I brought "Kinatay" in Cannes, I know it's going to be controversial because of the subject matter but I was always hoping for the best.''
"Kinatay" literally means butchered.
It tells the story of a young man who witnesses the gruesome murder of a prostitute, who is tortured and raped before she's chopped to pieces.
Although the film received a 10-minute standing ovation after its screening in France, its realistic and graphic portrayal did not sit well with many critics.
He said: ''That's what movies are all about. It should encourage discussion from the audience. I think that's what film is all about. It's not going to be easy for the audience.
“I'm not expecting the audience to go out of the cinema saying it makes me feel good and that was a good film. I'm expecting the audience to say that ‘I was disturbed, I'm a bit bothered with that film’. You have to somehow feel it and let it immerse in you. I think that's what makes an effective film.''
Despite the public interest in the film "Kinatay", it will still not enjoy wide cinema release and instead will only be distributed in selected schools and universities.
Mendoza believes that many audiences still cannot accept films that portray social reality.
He said: “I think the audience should have a choice and my kind of cinema is the alternative one. As a filmmaker, I think I did my part in bringing these kinds of stories that no other filmmaker would dare do.''
Judging by the numerous international awards the independent filmmaker has collected over the past four years, his films may one day be accepted by the mainstream. - CNA/vm
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