MANILA, Philippines?The move by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to stop Thursday?s scheduled screening of "Kinatay" at the UP Film Institute was "not a personal attack" on its director, Brillante Mendoza, said board chair Marissa Laguardia.

'Ongoing case'

She said it was meant to check the state-run institution's practice of holding public screenings of "X"-rated films.

During a press conference on Tuesday night, Laguardia referred to an "ongoing case" between the board and the UP Film Institute that stemmed from the latter's showing of "previously disapproved films" like Adolf Alix Jr.'s "Aurora," Lav Diaz's "Death in the Land of the Encantos" and Alejandro Bong Ramos' "Butas."

"Are they really showing 'Kinatay' just to professors and critics? How many persons are expected to attend? The UP Film Institute representative we spoke with on Monday failed to answer these questions," Laguardia told Inquirer Entertainment.

She stressed that a film screening attended by at least 50 people is already considered a public exhibition-which makes the movie to be shown subject to classification. Citing the board's rules and regulations, Laguardia added that a movie slapped with an "X" rating is banned from public and commercial exhibition.

Local debut

As late as Tuesday night, the chief censor noted, Centerstage/Swift Productions, the producers of "Kinatay," had not filed a request for review.

Mendoza's movie debuted at the last Cannes International Film Festival in France, where he won the Best Director trophy. The UP screening was to be its local premiere.

A meeting held Wednesday afternoon to resolve the issue, on the suggestion of Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, was attended by Mendoza, a UP Film Institute representative and a three-member adjudication board. During the meeting, Mendoza told the Inquirer, all parties agreed to have "Kinatay" undergo the review process.

Strong positions

At press time, however, the scheduled exhibition had not been confirmed.

Laguardia explained her position: "I realize that [the movie] brought honor to our country [and] I'm proud of this accomplishment. We are just enforcing the rules."

Mendoza was equally firm: "If the board gives the film an "X" rating, or if the board recommends cuts, I will not allow the UP premiere. I can't understand why my film got [entangled] in the MTRCB issue against UP. It's not even a commercial screening; it's [strictly] invitational. We are not selling tickets."

MTRCB Awards

Meanwhile, Laguardia announced that the 1st MTRCB Awards for TV will be held Sept. 4, 7 p.m., at the Cinema 5 of Gateway Mall in Quezon City. Edu Manzano, chair of the Optical Media Board, will host the two-hour proceedings.

"We are doing this to encourage TV networks to make good shows," said Laguardia. The Board will pick the Best Educational, Best Reality and Best Drama Shows; Best News Program and Best Public Affairs Program; Best Actor, Best Actress and Best TV Host. A Lifetime Achievement Awardee will be named soon, said Laguardia.

As part of its Film Education and Appreciation Program, the Board launched a script-writing contest last April. Three winners-P30,000 for first prize, P20,000 for second prize, and P10,000 for a special award- will also be announced on Sept. 4.

In another development, Laguardia said the screening of Marilou Diaz-Abaya's "Jose Rizal" last week at the Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School in Tagbilaran, Bohol, marked the start of a series of film screenings in the provinces. Bohol native Cesar Montano- who plays the title role in the movie-and wife Sunshine Cruz attended the event. With a report from Bayani San Diego Jr.