FILM director and writer, critic, and Philippine Daily Inquirer entertainment columnist Nestor Torre opened the 2008 CineVita festival with a stirring keynote speech.
For Torre, CineVita is different from other film festivals since it screens life affirming, positive-minded, and inspiring films, which, he noted, are a “distinct minority” in the film industry because they lack contentious characters, trendy action, and special effects, which producers insist audience crave.
“Good characters and inspiring themes are supposed to be poison at the box-office because they are bland, predictable, and boring,” Torre said. “Yet they are the ones who would always bring meaningful stories that bear the true taste of life.”
Torre is one of the organizers of the Cinemalaya Film Festival, an annual film competition of local independent films which are produced through a grant of half a million pesos from the Cinemalaya Foundation.
“Inspirational films can make big changes if there is a venue to celebrate it,” Torre said. “CineVita is just one perfect venue in bringing back quality and meaningful films.”
But for Torre, in order for quality inspirational films to thrive, the audience should also do their part by supporting and appreciating such movies. Torre stressed that choice is a vital point.
“We aren’t mere recipients of filmmakers’ output. We should be their partners in their effort to come up with better films,” Torre said.
Nevertheless, Torre also believes that many Filipino audiences can appreciate inspiring movies, as proven by the success of such movies as Tanging Yaman, Jose Rizal, and Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang.
But Torre noted that many Filipinos choose to remain “passive.”
“If we choose to patronize shallow formula films, they would continue to be made and our film-related problems would fester,” Torre said. “Your movie ticket, the one you buy, is your vote for the kind of movies you want made and prefer to view.”
Torre positively noted the “democratization” of the film industry and how it has enabled producers to venture into artistic film-making instead of the usual profit-oriented movie-making.
But Torre said he is saddened that many people have refused to support independent filmmakers.
“Although some digital films are technically deficient, telling meandering stories with allusions that are too private for many viewers to relate to and are depressing instead of inspiring, there are still enough well-made films that deserve enthusiastic support” he said.
Torre ended his speech on a personal note by inviting the audience to support UST’s budding filmmakers such as UST Pharmacy alumna Michiko Yamamoto, whom he said was a “shy girl” who attended his scriptwriting workshop and after properly being motivated and artistically guided, went on to write the award-wnning movies Magnifico and Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros.
“Our country has other film making talents,” Torre said. “Let us support their efforts and help them come into their own because their success is ours as well”. Juanito Alipio A. de la Rosa and Samuel Raphael P. Medenilla
