Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) recently gave an X rating to Jerrold Tarog directed film “Bliss”.
The X rating means “Bliss” is unfit for exhibition in local theatres and television. However, the film’s main star Iza Calzado reacted and shared her opinion regarding the film’s contents.
She said, “Mawalang galang lang po sa MTRCB, nais ko lang pong maliwanagan kung ano yung standards natin ng X na pelikula?”
“Bakit yung ibang mga foreign films na mas grabe pa ang mga eksena puwedeng maipalabas sa atin, at ang ‘Bliss’ hindi puwede?” Iza asked.
The actress defended the film and said it doesn’t practice pornography.
Iza further explained, “Hindi naman po porn ang pelikula namin. Sana kapag napalabas ang pelikula, tayo ang humusga… I’d like to believe that my director—the award-winning director of ‘Heneral Luna’—is a responsible director. Sana the film will be given a chance to be seen by the Filipino audience.”
Also, in her interview with the reporters on March 29, Iza admitted that she was baffled by the decision. She pointed out MTRCB’s decision to allow “Fifty Shades Darker” to be shown in cinemas without cuts last month.
”Why was it shown? It tackles only love and S&M. Our film, I would like to think, tackles more than that. It tackles abuse in society, not just in being an artista,” she explained.
“It’s suppose to wake you up about the cycle of abuse people go through in their lives. So these images that we will show you, they are not intended to arouse you, they are intended to disturb you and question things, make you think.”
Iza added that audiences aged 18 and up are old enough to decide for themselves. “Have we not educated them enough?” she asked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfXJZgm4BgY
The 34-year-old also hopes for a discussion on her film’s rating standards.
“Bliss” is a psychological thriller and is believed to be abundant in frontal nudity, excessive violence and masturbation.
The producers of the film, Artikulo Uno, will also appeal the MTRCB ruling.
“We are currently going through the process of submitting an appeal for a second review and hope for a more favorable result,” a note posted on Facebook read.
Meanwhile, Noel Ferrer, Iza Calzado’s manager also shared his reaction about the incident: “It will be so unfortunate and such a waste if a film that has earned rave reviews and international honors won’t be allowed to be screened to Filipinos in its integral version.”
“Time to unite dear filmmakers and film audiences. We have to experience ‘Bliss’ in the Philippines,” he added.
Fortunately, MTRCB chief Rachel Arenas said said that they are open to reviewing “Bliss” for a second time as soon as they receive a formal appeal.
“Bliss” received rave reviews on 2017 Osaka Asian Film Festival, where she won the Yakushi Pearl Award.