Paglaya ng mga Pelikula: Pinoy Indie Films atbp.

Hindi na bebenta ang linyang ‘to sa inyo, “Hindi hadlang ang kahirapan para makamit ang pangarap.”

Pero sa maniwala ka o sa hindi, ito ang pundasyon kung bakit nagkaroon ng independent films (indie films).

Ayon sa stateside kapitbahay natin na si http://en.wikipilipinas.org, Philippine Cinema saw the rise of Independent Films and filmmakers. With a low budget and just a few days to shoot the film, it’s so ironic that these films are usually the ones who gather international awards compared to mainstream movies. Through Indie films, Filipino filmmakers are able to freely express what they feel and boldly articulate the Filipino experience and relate to the viewers the real face of the Filipinos and the Philippines.

NOW SHOWING. Ilan lang ang mga pelikulang ito sa napakahabang
listahan ng indie films na mula sa ating bansa

‘Eto pa ang sabi niya, the urban manila, most especially the slum areas, have been a favorite setting amongst independent films because it doesn’t only require a small budget but it also clearly depict and picture the life of the Filipinos or the masses. Films shot in urban Manila let the audience take a peek on what’s really happening outside while unmasking the sad and harsh reality of life, letting the viewers relate to every scene of the movie.

Personal akong tagahanga ng Filipino independent films, but, it’s really saddening that this industry has a very small market. Sa madalas kong pagpapabalik-balik nitong mga nakaraang linggo sa Dasmariñas, hindi ko nakalimutang dumaan sa movie house. Literal na daan lang ang ginawa ko. Para akong nagka-canvass ng gamit. Sinipat ko ang lahat ng movie poster. In my estimation, 5% lamang ang indie films na pinapalabas sa sinehan. At siyempre pa, parang hindi ka rin nanood ng indie dahil mainstream artists ang nasa cast.

Nabanggit ko na rin lang ang cast, ito pa ang isa. Independent films serves as a playground sa mga director, producer at artista na small-time. They don’t need a big budget in producing quality films. ‘Pag sinabing quality hindi lagging visuals ang usapan. Scope din nito ang depth ng istorya at kung paanong ang pelikula ay totoong nakaka-relate sa realidad ng bawat manonood. Ngayong malawakan na ang invasion ng mainstream entities sa indie industry nababawasan na ang magandang kulturang nagging pundasyon nito.

However, there are also these pitfalls in the indie filming industry.

Filipinos are on the era na kung saan unti-unting napapalitan ng salitang ‘liberated’ ang salitang ‘conservative’. At dahil mahigpit ang Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) sa mga ganitong usapin, hirap na magpakita ang mainstream ng ‘skin’. Ito naman ang isang bagay na talamak sa indie. Sana hindi maging means ang indie film industry to pursue this kind of thinking and trade.

As a Mass Communication student, indie filming is very beneficial not only to media students or media people but of course to everyone. Indies has larger perspective than mainstream. Higit sa lahat, masasabi kong mas maraming matututunan ang sinuman sa indie films.