MANILA, Philippines?Last Dec. 20 at the Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film Institute and Arts Center in Antipolo, we witnessed nothing less than a foreshadowing of the future of Filipino films: It isn?t going to be, as some prognosticators believe, the rout of mainstream movies by indie productions, but a fusion of both the ?old? and the new.
This realization was prompted by the showing last Saturday of Marilou?s ?Jose Rizal,? with the retrospective screening timed to mark the acclaimed historical movie?s 10th anniversary. Even better, the ?old? movie was followed by eight short films made by students and alumni of Marilou?s classes.
In her opening remarks, Marilou insightfully noted that both the veteran and young filmmakers in attendance could learn a lot from each other.
Commitment
True enough, when ?Jose Rizal? was screened, some young people in the audience marveled at the range, scope and depth of cinematic expression and commitment that the popular and critical hit vivified.
Conversely, the veterans present also got a visceral surge from the fresh and even radical ideas that informed the students? audacious short films.
True, some of them came off as rough approximations of their writer-directors? intent, but the edge and passion were there for all to appreciate.
After all, student filmmakers are themselves works in progress, so their early efforts shouldn?t be judged as finished products, but should be appreciated as promising intimations of better-realized movies to come.
Outstanding alumni
In this regard, Marilou made it a point to congratulate some of her outstanding alumni who have won awards in both mainstream and indie cinema: Cathy Molina for ?One More Chance,? Tara Illenberger for ?Brutus,? Mic Red for ?The Threshold? and ?Kamera,? and cinematographer Dan Villegas for ?Huling Pasada.?
Further, she noted, ?Members of the MDAFI community are sought after by indie, as well as mainstream producers?because they are skilled and disciplined in the observance of professional protocols and procedures in filmmaking. They are reliable. Above all, they are cinematic storytellers.
?The best strategy for longevity in filmmaking is to obtain both a solid film foundation and a wealth of experiences in today?s multi-media. To learn the ?mother tongue? of the feature-film narrative is to facilitate success in the other vocabularies of advertising, documentaries, music videos, corporate videos, educational videos and television productions.
?Every filmmaker should aspire to be exhibited in as many venues as possible?from cineplexes to YouTube.?
Basic course
The institute is now accepting applications for enrollment to its summer film courses for 2009, and the basic course in motion picture language and production next year. Visit www.mdafilm.com.
Marilou?s institute has a three-point agenda for learning: The science, art and business of filmmaking, with the end in view for its students to make significant Asian films for the world.
Prospective filmmakers who empathize with those parameters and objectives would do well to drink from the institute?s deep well of cinematic vision, experience and commitment. It is, after all, nothing less than the future of Filipino films.
