Interview 2 (pls. read prev. post)

(con't)

>10. How do the films in the present compare to those
>films of 30-50 years ago?

That depends on what industry you're talking about. As far as world cinema is concerned, some of the best works were coming out of Japan and India; Philippines, I've seen some of the '50s films, but it's difficult to assess firsthand; many of the pictures are gone.  Philippine cinema is suffering from a kind of Alzheimers, a gradual loss of memory, with the loss of our film prints.

I can say right now that compared to around 30 years ago, we were on top of the world, or near it; the only other comparably great cinema being made that I can think of is by the United States (Scorsese, Coppola, Altman). Of course the great films of the '70s are better preserved and more easily seen, so this is hardly an objective judgement.

But there is still good work being done today.  I think the films of Lav Diaz, of Mario O'Hara, Tikoy Aguiluz and the rare output from Mike de Leon still gives some hope.  I still hope Celso Ad. Castillo can do something good, even great--he nearly did, with Lihim ni Madonna. The independent filmmaking scene is vigorous as ever, maybe even more vigorous with the advent of diigital cameras. Aureaus Solito, Khavn de la Cruz, Ditsy Carolino and Sari Dalena, Raymond Red, among many others.

Of commercial films I think Chito Rono, Jeffrey Jeturian, Ronnie Ricketts and Maryo delos Reyes are doing good if not first-rate work. Of the new directors I like Joyce Bernal, Quark Henares, Rico Illarde.

>11. Do you think the current film industry still has
>potential to overcome its weaknesses and in so doing
>make Class A films?

I think it's making Class A films (whatever that means); no one knows about it, though. (con't)