Making it through the CROSSFIRE
(Originally published in ILLUSTRADO MAGAZINE-GULF Issue 58)
Mindanaoans shared their voice and gained pride at the recently concluded
8th Dubai International Film Festival 2011
with the first ever entry of the film 'CROSSFIRE' to the international arena.
Present at the Festival were the Grand Prize Palanca and Gawad Urian Best Screenplay Awardee,
Director/Producer Arnel Mardoquio and
Gawad Urian Best Actress Awardee-Producer Fe Virtudazo-Hyde
who shared with Illustrado their advocacies and challenges in being independent filmmakers.
"It all started with my passion for films," says the exuberant Fe Virtudazo-Hyde, also known as Fe GingGing Hyde, who was her usual pretty self in a lime-colored green dress. Recipient of Illustrado Magazine's Women of Substance honor, Fe's dedication and love for acting and filming have always been an open book. Now, her passion and hard work are paying off-her latest projects, which actually the third collaboration with Writer/Director/Producer Arnel Mardoquio., CROSSFIRE has entered and competed in the 8th Dubai International film Festival (DIFF).
But more than just sharing the success of their projects, Fe and Arnel's concern primarily is the advocacy that they share together. The two independent filmmakers, who also produced films such as HOSPITAL BOAT and SHEIKA, are passionate in advocating peace in Mindanao, the Southern part of the Philippines, as well as promoting talents from there. Fe quips, "If other people are promoting their advocacies through songs, paintings or writings, we use films to create awareness in what we believe in."
Indeed, the presence of the film CROSSFIRE in this year's edition of Dubai International Film Festival marks a milestone in their ongoing pursuit of promoting peace in Mindanao.
The director, Arnel, explained "Hindi po ito pang turista. The movie should appeal more to Filipinos in order for them to be aware of what is really happening in Mindanao. This is our way of doing a wake-up call not only to the government but to all Filipinos. We should understand that in wars, civilians are caught in the crossfire, leading to dislocation, sickness, death."
He continues, "Personally, I'm glad that the government is in full support of the peace process in Mindanao.They are also supportive of projects such as this one. In fact, part of our funding came from the Philippines National Commission for Culture and Arts."
The 105-minute movie talks about the lives of refugees caught in the crossfire of an armed conflict. It follows trade partners Bai Magdas and Lingig who scavenge for rustic war remains and sells them to junk shop. Lingig, on one hand, has hearts for Bai Magdas' 16-year old daughter Bitoon, who looks for opportunity to work abroad but has turned to become victim of illegal recruitment. Bitoon then becomes the interest of rich Datu Mantukaw who feels old and desolate when he lost his family in armed conflict. The datu gives dowry when he proposes to Bai Magdas for marrying Bitoon.
"It is of simple plot multi-layered with social issues expressed in one story. It tells you of the small wars and institutional wars of these characters. It opens the audience's understanding on culture in Mindanao, say for arranged marriages. It also gives a different perspective on poverty and grief caused by wars," Arnel furthered on the key messages of the film.
The story of Bitoon, Bai Magdas, Lingig and Datu Mantukaw is undoubtedly captivating, paving the way for the jury's nods to include it in the Dubai International Film Festival Muhr Asia Pacific competition. It vied against two Oscar entries: Singapore's "Tsunami" by Eric Khoo and Turkey's "Once Upon A Time in Anatolia" by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Other films in the category included Iran's "Good Bye" by Mohammad Rasoulof and "Final Whistle" by Niki Karimi, and Africa's "Restless City" by Andrew Dosunmu and "man on Ground" by Akin Omotso.
Critic or not, the film is a must-see for Filipinos. As Arnel concluded, "Filmmakers feel that they have social responsibility to examine the society, and provide options and solutions in making our society better. Since poverty is a recurring theme in the stories of our people, hence it recurs to our films. Nonetheless, Filipinos especially who are abroad should watch these kinds of films in order for them to witness and stay close to what really is happening in their homeland. Sana sa pagpanood nila ng Crossfire, maisip nila na aside from sending money to their families back home, meron pa silang pwedeng itulong at balikan sa ating bansa".
The Magazine for International Filipino
Issue 58-Page 20
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