UP to show uncut versions of controversial films

The University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication announced that it will be hosting a film festival titled “Director’s Cut: Mga Eksenang Dapat Mong Nakita Pero…" from March 5 to 7 at the UP Cine Adarna. Nine controversial films will be shown for three days. These are the uncut versions of Bakit May Kahapon Pa? (directed by Joel Lamangan), Laman (Maryo J. de los Reyes), Ang Lihim ni Antonio (Jay Altarejos), Duda/Doubt (directed by Cris Pablo), Rome and Juliet (Connie Macatuno), Twilight Dancers (Mel Chionglo), La Vida Rosa (Chito Roño), Tuhog (Jeffrey Jeturian) and Live Show (Jose Javier Reyes). De los Reyes, Pablo, Macatuno, Roño and Jeturian are graduates of UP CMC. Bakit May Kahapon Pa? (March 5, 5 p.m.) is about a woman, traumatized as a child by the massacre of her family in the 1970s, who plans revenge on the responsible military officer. Laman (March 5, 7 p.m.), on the other hand, focuses on a young couple’s problems mainly caused by a rich businesswoman who lusts for the husband and a gigolo who seduces the wife. Ang Lihim ni Antonio (March 5, 9 p.m.) is a coming-of-age gay-themed digital film about a teenager’s sexual exploration resulting in exploitation. Duda/Doubt (March 6, 5 p.m.) is a tale of infidelity and deception in a relationship between two men while Rome and Juliet (March 6, 7 p.m.) is a romantic journey of two women caught in a web of forbidden and unconventional love. Given an X rating by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), Twilight Dancers (March 6, 9 p.m.) is a social commentary packaged as a sexy movie about a macho dancer who is pressured to “dance" to the tune of the new global economy. La Vida Rosa (March 7, 5 p.m.) is about a couple’s dangerous life as con artists becoming more complicated as one insists on retiring. Tuhog (March 7, 7 p.m.) is a disturbing yet entertaining movie within a movie where a mother and daughter are abused twice – first by a rapist who happens to be a family member and then by incompetent filmmakers. Considered “most controversial" in Philippine filmmaking history, Live Show (March 7, 9 p.m.) is a story of poor Filipinos forced to perform sexual acts in front of paying customers. An open forum with the director and other guests follows every screening of the film. The film festival is part of the UP’s centennial celebration. Sponsorship packages are available for interested companies. For details, please contact Dr. Arminda V. Santiago or Prof. Ma. Rosel San Pascual at (632) 920-6864 or (632) 920-6867.