THE eight movies competing for the annual 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival are out. But movie fans were surprised when two big entries from ace comedian Vice Ganda and actor-television host Vic Sotto failed to make this year’s cut.
The entry of Vice Ganda is “Super Parental Guidance” which is the follow-up to last year’s box-office MMFF movie “Beauty and the Bestie” starring Coco Martin. Vice Ganda has been joining the MMFF since 2012.
Sotto, on the other hand, submitted another installment of his “Enteng Kabisote” franchise which has been part of the annual film festival since 2004.
Both Sotto and Vice Ganda movies have been consistent crowd drawers during the film festival which begins on Christmas Day.
What went wrong with their movies?
“They did not meet the selection criteria No. 1 which is quality not commercialism,” said one of the jurors involved in the selection of the movies.
The same source added: “What we selected were unlike the movies usually dished out to Pinoy audiences. And we hope they’ll appreciate the choices we made.”
Asked to comment about the lack of star power in this year’s filmfest, the source said: “The big stars don’t always make quality movies naman di ba?”
Vice Ganda has refused to comment on the exclusion of their film.
“Hindi muna (not now),” said Vice Ganda when ABS-CBN sought him to comment on the results.
The “Magic 8” were chosen based on the following criteria: story, audience appeal and overall impact (40 percent); cinematic attributes or technical expertise (40 percent); global appeal (10 percent); and Filipino sensibility (10 percent).
This year’s entries are:
• “Die Beautiful” (October Train Films and The Idea First Company) directed by Jun Robles Lana; starring Paolo Ballesteros.
• “Kabisera” directed by Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido; starring Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, JC De Vera, Jason Abalos, Victor Neri, and RJ Agustin.
• “Saving Sally” directed by Avid Liongoren; starring Rhian Ramos and Enzo Marcos.
• “Seklusyon” (Reality Entertainment) directed by Erik Matti; starring Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Elora Espano, Neil Ryan Sese, Ronnie Alonte, Lou Veloso, Dominique Roque, John Vic de Guzman, and JR Versales.
• “Sunday Beauty Queen” directed by Baby Ruth Villarama; starring Hazel Perdid, Maylyn Jacobo, Cherry Bretania, and Leo Selomenio.
• “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: Forever is Not Enough” (Martinez Rivera Films and Quantum Films in association with TBA) directed by Marlon Rivera; starring Eugene Domingo and Chris Martinez.
• “Oro” directed by Alvin Yapan; starring Joem Bascon.