By MELL T. NAVARRO
NAKAKUHA ng X-rating ang pelikula ni Alfred Vargas na “Ang Guro Kong Di Marunong Magbasa” mula sa Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
Ito’y dahil umano sa mga bayolenteng eksena sa p
elikula.
May na-book na ngang Dec. 6, 2017 playdate for commercial release ang nasabing Cinemalaya finalist this year, pero as of press time ay naghihintay pa ang production ng bagong development.
Written and directed by Perry Escaño, ang “Ang Guro Kong Di Marunong Magbasa” ay isang advocacy film tungkol sa kahalagahan ng edukasyon sa mga bata sa malalayong probinsiya sa Pilipinas, na dahil sa corruption sa pamahalaan at ignorance ay napu-puwersang maging “child warriors” ang mga ito.
Sa first review ng MTRCB, sa isang letter para kay Escaño, nagkaisa ang tatlong board committee members na bigyan ng “X” rating ang pelikula dahil umano sa karahasan.
Sila ay sina Dennis Padilla, Gloria Sevilla, at Consoliza Laguardia.
Narito ang full text ng classification ng Board (first review), duly signed by Maria Rachel Arenas, MTRCB Chairperson:
“We refer to your Application for Permit to Exhibit No. MP-1708-18477 (1 hr and 45 minutes) for the film, ‘ANG GURO KONG DI MARUNONG MAGBASA.’
“We regret to inform you that the aforementioned film was classified as ‘not for public exhibition’ by the Committee on First Review, as follows:
“The gravity of too many violent / bloody scenes in the film out-weighted the important social economic and political issues that the filmmaker wants to impart to the viewing public.
“Note: Significant violent scenes:
1.) Young children killing soldiers using knives and guns
2.) Amputations of body parts during torture scenes
3.) Headshot of a soldier
4.) Killing of a corrupt mayor with a grenade launcher.
“Be that as it may, you have the option to file for a second review within five (5) days from receipt hereof.”
May nakasaad na footnote sa letter that says: “Conveniently and briefly referred to as an “X.”
Ang buod ng kuwento ng pelikula: “As an extremist group trains children to fight the government, an illiterate farmer (Alfred Vargas) pretends to read while he attempts to play the role of a teacher to maintain the kids’ faith in the value of education.”
Tampok rin sa controversial X-rated film sina Miggs Cuaderno, Micko Laurente, Marc Justine Alvarez, James Blanco, Lou Veloso, Mon Confiado, Kiko Matos, Loren Burgos.
As of press time, ay nakapag-appeal na ang production ng second review sa MTRCB at hinihintay na lang ang “verdict” kung mababago ang unang X-rating nito.