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PNP film fest: Showcase of talents or grand PR campaign?
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday opened its first ever film festival, an oddity reminiscent of MMDA art. One wonders why the PNP is sponsoring a film festival since the words film, festival, and police are rarely strung together. Given the press release from the PNP, however, one need wonder no more. The festival was held as part of this year’s celebration of the National Culture and Arts Month last February, and has two goals: first, to feature positive police stories; and second, to create platforms for student filmmakers to exhibit their works, read the release sent by project manager Police Superintendent Felix Servita Jr. The festival features five independent films all showcasing “the heroism and even the failures of the police," said Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome, chief of the PNP’s Civil Relations Group. Films to be shown in various SM Malls starting March 10 are “Gatilyo" from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Manila, “Vendetta" from the University of Perpetual Help System in Laguna, “Police Line" from New Era University in Quezon City, “Detektib" from Dr. Felimon C. Aguilar Memorial College in Las Pinas City, and “Bro" from La Consolacion College in Manila. An official of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), however, accused the PNP of “exploiting" young filmmakers just to give its image a much-needed boost. William Mayo, a member of the FAP board of directors, said the PNP, by dangling P25,000 to schools with chosen entries, took advantage of young filmmakers who would easily grab an opportunity to create and show their films to the public. In his article “Ist PNP Film Festival - Isang ‘Exploitation’ ng Young Filipino Filmmakers (1st PNP Film Festival - An Exploitation of Young Filipino Filmmakers)" last January 8, Mayo said the amount was grossly insufficient, noting that even the P500,000 grant from Cinemalaya is not enough to produce an independent film. “Bahala nang maghanap at gumawa ng paraan ang mga estudyante. Mag-abono, mag-solicit sa mga pulitiko, at kahit mamalimos matupad lamang ang mithiing makagawa ng sarili nilang pelikula," he said. (They are leaving it to the students to look for additional funds. The students would either source the money from their own pockets, or solicit from politicians. They would beg for money just to be able to produce their own film.) Mayo said he pities the filmmakers who, while they were not forced to join, were weighed down by the problem of having to finish the films through any means because they had already accepted the P25,000 grant. The budget is ridiculous, he says, citing the NCCA subsidy for a short film, which is 250,000 pesos. Since the festival can be deemed part of the PNP’s “PR campaign," the police force should spend more money for it, he said. “Magpapapogi ka, gumastos ka! PR Campaign yan (If you want to promote yourself to the public, you should spend big money for it. It’s a PR campaign)." He also said that during their dialogue with PNP, they had made it known that they are against the idea that the police force would “screen" the films, choosing only those that show policemen in a favorable light. Mayo said that films, being mirrors of life, cannot help but depict reality, which includes both good and bad, and it is neither film’s nor media’s responsibility to improve the image of the police. “In short, habang may pulis na ganid at abusado sa totoong buhay, meron nyan sa movies. E papaano na yung mabubuting mga pulis? Ah yan ang problema ng PNP. Me bugok sa hanay nyo, damay kayo," he said. (In short, as long as there are police scalawags in real life, movies will be made about them. If it affects the image of honest policemen, then that’s the problem of the PNP.) Ordinary policemen Financial constraints, however, did not deter schools from joining. The producers of the five chosen film entries are even thankful to the PNP for the opportunity it has given them. At the Talakayan ng Isyung Pulis (TSIP) where the five entries were presented, people behind the movies explained the gist and circumstances behind their respective films. “Sinasabi lang po ng pelikulang ito na ang mga pulis ay tao lang din, na may mga problemang hinaharap, may mga struggles and challenges din na hinaharap sila, and at the end, kailangan nilang manindigan at kailangan nilang protektahan at i-defend yung welfare ng mga tao," said Isiah Lazan, director of PUP’s “Gatilyo." (This movie is about the travails of an ordinary policeman, his struggles and challenges in performing their duty to protect the welfare of the public.)
