The producer of the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival's Second Best Picture awardee appealed to movie fans to be patient while waiting for the Jan. 8 release of "Spider-Man: No Way Home", as she urged them to support the filmfest roster.
Marvel fans have had to endure a torturous week and counting of spoilers as the annual MMFF shut cinemas to foreign films to give way to local offerings that are badly needed to help the Filipino stars, moviemakers and film crew recover from the pandemic.
"Para po sa nagsasabi na, ‘Sana hindi na natuloy ang MMFF at mauna na po si Spider-Man,’ pakihintay na lang po sa Jan. 8, please," said Quantum Films head Joji Alonso as she accepted the silver prize for "Kun Maupay Man It Panahon", a drama set in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City.
Alonso has for years worked to elevate Philippine cinema, producing films such as "Ang Babae sa Septic Tank" and distributing "Heneral Luna". Both films defied long-held formulas of what audiences would pay to see.
"Kun Maupay Ti Panahon" or "Whether the Wather is Fine" stars former ABS-CBN boss Charo Santos-Concio and Kapamilya star Daniel Padilla.
"In the meantime, tangkilikin naman po natin ang pelikulang Pilipino," Alonso said to loud appplause during the awards night Monday. "Big Night" which stars Christian Bables as a make-up artist accused of peddling drugs, won Best Picture.
"Sobra-sobra po naming pinaghirapan lahat ang paggawa ng mga pelikulang ito. Sana naman po huwag niyo naman kaming pabayaan," Alonso said.
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