Is Cinemalaya still relevant? | Group 6 - 202C

Is Cinemalaya still relevant? 

Well, is it? Still? If you’re to ask us, we’d say yes. Cinemalaya, which factually means Sineng Malaya, is a festival of independent films. Here, we get to appreciate the works of independent film makers who make movies not only to impress but also, to make the audiences become aware of the various situations people of today undergo.

We still find Cinemalaya relevant despite the sad fact that it’s slowly adopting the “mainstream comportment” because only in Cinemalaya do film makers get to create movies which are direct to the point; and by that, we meant about them not being afraid of showing how mind-numbing and nerve-wracking the world is today. We love the way they present not-so-typical topics for it shows bravery and a very good sense of freedom.

We believe Cinemalaya is still relevant because it would not be on its 8th year [this year], if not for its relevance among Filipinos. It will not be patronize by many if the movies being shown are not relevant at today’s time and is not relatable for some of us. We all know for a fact that Filipinos are moviegoers and many of us watch movies that we can relate to. Cinemalaya proves its relevance by the way they create their indie films. The films created talks about social and political realities that are now existent to our society. It gives us a refreshing view of what our society is having, is holding back, and is discriminating and a whole lot more. It covers issues which are sometimes not known to us, making it an informative platform.

Cinemalaya serves as an instrument for aspiring directors, cinematographers, and script writers to showcase their talents as well as to express their own creativity by producing such remarkable movies which I have come to witness.

Cinemalaya is an event where well-known and also young directors could show-off their talents in directing and script-writing. It is where we discover new talents and also appreciate the remarkable directors and artists in the showbiz industry. Indeed, this is an event worth-waiting and something we should definitely be proud of as Filipinos

Cinemalaya is diverse and unique in its own way making it more significant to us especially that we are aspiring to be in the world of media. We value uniqueness and freedom of expression because this is an outlet for us to see the unhidden beneath of the world specifically, our society. Cinemalaya also showed the current spiritual and moral precepts of our society. It is rich in culture, full of valuable lessons in life and at the same time entertaining.

Interviews: 

Aila Mendoza, from UP Dilman

"Yes, somehow, because each independent film which vies for every cinemalaya season, still manage to somehow exemplify or sometimes simply expose some settings in the country which is not usually given attention by the Philippine society."

Kat Belarmino a Communication & Media Studies student from San Beda College Alabang
"Yes, still relevant for us communication and media students. It showcases the talents of filmmakers which helps us students learn from their works and to prove that Filipino filmmakers are can produce good movies."

Isabel, a student of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

Janah Pesquera, LIA – COM student and a fellow Scholastican

"Yes, Actually Cinemalaya is the deviant side of the mainstream movies. For me, it tackles reality; they are going beyond the norm. Direk Emmanuel Palo was asked about the production of Sta. Nina, "doing my first Cinemalaya was pretty hard, budget pa lang." (not the exact words) So budget wise, Cinemalaya is pretty much "left out" thus made Cinemalaya more realistic because if the fact that they need to use other resources for them to come up with a Film."

Contributors/Members: 

Altre, Anna Patricia 

Almosa, Kimberly Ann

Martinez, Klara

Ramos, Shiela

Valenzuela, Faith Ayanna