MANILA, Philippines ? Quentin Tarantino?s ?Inglorious Basterds,? released worldwide in August, may not be shown here if its distributor does not settle a raging dispute with cinema owners soon.

Solar-United International Pictures and the National Cinema Association of the Philippines (NCAP) are at loggerheads over the sharing scheme in amusement tax savings between exhibitors and film suppliers, the Philippine Daily Inquirer learned.

NCAP head Ric Camaligan said Solar-UIP was rejecting the current 50-50 setup. He said the distributor was insisting on 60-40, in its favor. Thus, ?Inglourious Basterds? did not open on November 4 as scheduled.

In a letter to NCAP dated October 29, Solar-UIP argued that there was no ?legal or factual basis? for the current scheme. The law, it added, referring to Republic Act 9640, ?is silent [on the issue of] sharing of tax savings.? The letter was signed by UIP Philippines general manager Selina Gecolea and Solar Entertainment president Wilson Tieng.

The NCAP chief countered: ?Yes, there?s no law [indicating a] 50-50 sharing scheme. This is why we negotiate [with producers and distributors]. Regal Entertainment, GMA Films, Viva Films and Pioneer Pictures all agree to this. Film suppliers Columbia Pictures and Warner Brothers Movies are both amenable to the deal, too. They only request that we treat all distributors equally.?

Camaligan added: ?If we give in to Solar-UIP, the other distributors and producers will definitely complain.? He reported that some of NCAP?s 17 active members met to discuss the matter two weeks ago. Until this is resolved, he said, ?None of them will sign any contract allowing the screening of films from Solar-UIP.?

Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph