Janella Salvador criticizes people who belittle local films: 'Just straight up arrogant'
Janella Salvador couldn't help but air her ill feelings towards people who undermine local films.
On the heels of the release of her new film Under Parallel Skies, in which she co-starred with Thai actor Win Metawin, Salvador took a swipe at moviegoers who downplay the works of Filipino productions and prefer to watch international films instead.
"People who think they're too good for local films... it doesn't make you sound more sophisticated, just straight up arrogant and condescending," the local star wrote on her Instagram story as she shared a post from Under Parallel Skies producer Richard Juan.
In the post, Juan shared a screenshot of a conversation where his acquaintance admitted that they are not a fan of Filipino-made movies, saying, "'Di ako nanonood ng local films, sorry. No time for that."
While this remark shocked him and "really broke [his] heart" as a producer, Juan acknowledged the issue that local filmmakers face when it comes to their audience.
"I get it, not every film will resonate with everyone, and that’s 100 percent fine. Criticism is part of it naman talaga. But dismissing all local films outright? 'Wag naman? Sobrang sakit talaga," he wrote.
"But that’s the reality that we live in. When they say they want to watch 'international films,' they always think Hollywood films. Pero hindi ba pwede international film din yung Filipino film?" he continued.
Juan noted that Under Parallel Skies can also be considered an international production as it is the first Filipino romance film distributed by American entertainment studio Warner Bros.
"Many eyes globally are on us and the whole Philippine entertainment industry. Because what we have in Under Parallel Skies goes beyond simply showcasing actors; but it also celebrates the Filipino and Asian creativity behind the cameras," he highlighted.
He urged, "Let’s champion not just Philippine cinema, but also Asian cinema with immense pride."
Shot in Hong Kong, Under Parallel Skies takes audiences into the shoes of a man who is struggling with a painful past. As he tries to move forward with his life, he later discovers that the woman he knows is connected to that past.
Having trouble deciding whether to watch Salvador and Metawin's first film together? Check out our review of it below: