On March 22, award-winning director Brillante Mendoza shared his thoughts on sex scenes in the movies.
During the special screening for Sisid, Mendoza acknowledged that sex sells, but he clarified that filmmakers have the responsibility of incorporating their advocacies into their craft.
“‘Yun talaga ang pinapanood ng tao whether fortunately or unfortunately. ‘Yun talaga, ang sinabi ko na nga before, ‘sex sells.’ So ano ang magiging responsibilidad natin as artists, kung ‘yun ‘yung given.
“Katulad ng ganitong oportunidad na binigyan tayo ng freedom na gumawa ng kwento sa ganitong klaseng istorya, nai-inject pa rin natin ‘yung mga relevant issues.”
He also added that filmmakers have the power to tackle relevant issues through their movies.
“Whether its about environment, its about society, its about institution and all, pipilitin natin ‘yun. Nasa artist na ‘yun, nasa filmmaker na ‘yung kung papaano mo gagamitin ‘yung power mo at tsaka ‘yung opportunidad mo na hindi ka magmumukhang exploitative, but magmumukhang sumasakay ka na lang sa agos.”
He then revealed how he carefully considered the nude scenes included in the film before its release.
“Yes of course, pero again, katulad nito. Siguro ‘yung mga artista ko would be surprised na hindi lang ganyan ang shinoot ko. Doon sa mga lovescenes, sa mga sex scenes pero hindi ko ginamit. Maraming eksena doon na nakita ‘yung mga private parts nila Paolo at ni Vince pero hindi ko ginamit because bakit, hindi naman ‘yun ang binebenta.
“‘Yung version ni Pao, ni Vince, at tsaka ni Christine na naked, pero hindi ko rin ginamit, kasi hindi kailangan. But ko siya shinoot, kasi hindi mo pa alam kung anong mangyayari sa editing if the story will stand or not.”
He cited the filmmakers and producers’ responsibility for the revival of Philippine Cinema amid the pandemic.
“Lahat naman tayo, hindi lang sa Pilipinas, gusto natin bumalik ang sinehan kasi ito ‘yung nakasanayan natin. Ito nga yung pagpapanood natin sa mga streaming platform, na hindi naipapalabas sa sinehan, sana hindi tayo masanay sa ganon. Gusto natin talaga bumalik ang sinehan at dumami ang nanonood sa sinehan.
“Ang responsibilidad ngayon ay hindi lang sa mga filmmakers, sa mga storymakers, kung hindi sa mga producers na rin, at tsaka sa industry na rin as a whole na dapat pagandahin natin ang ating mga nilalabas para maenganyo pa ang mga tao na nanonood. Kasi hindi lang ‘yun basta ipu-push mo silang manood kung wala naman sila magandang mapanood, hindi rin naman sila manonood.”
Mendoza’s Viva film Sisid stars Vince Rillon, Paolo Gumabao, Kylie Verzosa, and Christine Bermas.
His movie has started streaming on Vivamax on March 25 and is still available via the digital platform.
