The wheels of the bus go round and round, indeed.
Kabisera, a political family drama starring Nora Aunor that tackles extra judicial killings, is one of the eight ntries in this year’s already controversy Metro Manila Film Festival.
But before joining the winners’ circle, it first had to stand on the other side of the fence.
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During the press conference for Kabisera on Tue, Dec 6, Nora reminded reporters her movie was once rejected by the annual Christmastime film fest.
Indeed, Kabisera was submitted for consideration to be part of the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival. This was back when screenplays and not finished films were submitted as basis for selection to be part of the film fest.
Nora was already the movie’s main star even before it was accepted for the MMFF.
Now, with the rule change, Kabisera clinched a slot in the MMFF’s Magic 8 this year — besting movies by Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto.
It’s a refreshing for plot twist for a movie starring Nora. Her Brillante Mendoza-helmed movie Thy Womb was part of the MMFF in 2012.
“May mga bagay na siguro, ito yung bagay na napapanahon. Blessing na hindi nakasali noon,” she said.
Nora, of course, knows the controversy surrounding this year’s MMFF, with some producers questioning the decision to choose mostly independent movies for the event. But the 63-year-old actress is optimistic.
READ: Tito Sotto thinks MMFF won’t make a lot of money in the box office this year
READ: Regal Films’ Mother Lily amid MMFF snub: Christmas season is not the time for indie movies
“Masaya ako at tapos ito at naipasok ito sa film fest,” Nora said. “Yung nega naman hindi nawawala, e. Hindi nawawala sa mundo. Kahit may mga kabutihan kang ginawa, meron pa ring babatikos, meron pa ring magsasalita ng di maganda. Pero hayaan na natin yun.”
(I am happy and the film was finished and got in the film fest. The negatives, that will never go away. That won’t disappear from this Earth. Even if you’ve done something good, there are still those who will criticize, there are still those who will say bad things. But let them be.)
“Magbabagong taon na. Utang na loob, ilang bagong taon na ang nagdaan. Harapin naman natin kung paano matutulungan ang industriya.”
(It’s the new year. Several new years have passed. Let’s face how we can help the industry.)
