- Is the local movie industry dying after the series of flop movies in the start of the year?
- The talent manger and radio host Ogie Diaz suggested some minor tweaks to help the local film industry
- Diaz also called out for the government’s help and support to intervene in the current situation
The local film industry plays a vital role in the society. Aside from its entertainment and informative values, local films also generate taxable revenues that contribute to the government’s coffers.
READ: Cong. Monsour de Rosario responds to ‘downfall’ issue of local film industry
Recently, it was noticeably a series of flops and movies ending up being pulled-out from cinemas immediately, if not cancelled. Government intervention may help filmmakers and producers to be more protected and more supported, but only if they implement laws or rules in favor of the producers first than the cinema owners.
Movies usually open in the middle of the week, wherein most of the moviegoers are either busy at work or studying. The talent manager and radio host Ogie Diaz identified this problem and suggested a small tweak on the implementation of rules in showing a local film.
He shared: “Sana ilipat ng weekend ang first day of showing, hindi Wednesday. Kasi Wednesday, nasa school at nasa office [ang mga tao], wala naman manunuod talaga. Ang nakakalungkot –first day of showing, kapag pinalabas tapos ilan ang tao sa sinehan? Anim. Pagdating ng kinabukasan ay wala na iyong pelikula kasi pinalitan na.”
Ogie sees the problem with the lack of support from the cinema owners who only wants to gain profit.
He suggested that both film producers and cinema owners should work together to gain more in the long run.
“Babagsak talaga iyang mga sinehan kung mismong mga theater owners ang hindi tumulong para manghikayat na manuod ng mga lokal na pelikula.”
He also suggested to make movie tickets more affordable so that many people can afford and watch local movies, as well as customize cinemas for local movies with lower seating capacity of around 100 to 200.
Diaz shared this sentiments after director Erik Matti’s claimed that the local movie industry is in a “dire situation.”
READ: “This is alarming.” Erik Matti appeals for help for local film industry
“Matti pointed to the lackluster performance of recent releases such as “Elise” and “Hanggang Kailan” in arguing that they are “on life support and we need resuscitation.”
