By Nestor Cuartero
JUST A THOUGHT: I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars. – Og Mandino
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HE LOVES FILMS: Aside from being a huge fan of education (for high school, he went to Philippine Science High School), Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles is a certified film buff (he likes the Star Wars series and local indie films). He sat as chair of last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.
We had to ask him his thoughts on the present movie industry and the recent 2017 MMFF.
On the present quality of Filipino films vis-a-vis foreign films: “ On technical quality, of course, Hollywood still has the edge with their Computer Generated Imagery. But the Filipino film industry has made great strides in polishing some of our graphics, particularly in fantasy films, which are traditional fare of MMFF. The MMFF films are usually well funded films boasting of impressive graphics, though nakakaangat pa rin technical-wise ang Hollywood. For the 2017 MMFF, I personally appreciate the effort in trying to strike a “balance” between commercial and indie films.”
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ON AREAS IN THE FILIPINO FILM INDUSTRY THAT NEED IMPROVEMENT: “I think the focus should be on making more quality films rather than pandering to what the market seems to want. We’ve had really great Filipino films but didn’t prove to be commercially successful. So, I think the audience should have more venues to appreciate quality films in such a way that they don’t have to choose between artistic quality or commercial appeal.”
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NEED FOR ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES FROM GOVERNMENT:
“Maybe in areas of taxation like amusement taxes. There has always been a call to decrease amusement taxes. Big producers can afford the fees but what about indie or regional producers who have limited fund source?
The government can also give support to the local film industry on the aspects of production, wherein more fund grants can be given to produce quality films, story-wise. Sadly, good stories normally do not get funding from big outfits who focus on the marketability of artistas rather than the story.
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ON MARKETING ASSIST: There should also be a policy to increase screenings of local films in cinemas. The indie film industry is looking forward to a Regional Cinema Development Bill since film festivals in the regions have sprouted, just like the Mindanao Film Festival which had over 100 films in participation in the first week of December.