Cinema '76 to screen ‘Katips’ and ‘Maid in Malacañang’ starting Aug. 3, elicits mixed reactions
The Cinema ’76 Film Society announced the screening of Katips and Maid in Malacañang starting on Wednesday, Aug. 3, sparking mixed reactions on social media.
The pioneering micro-cinema “dedicated to bringing the latest Filipino and foreign films to its movie audience” made the announcement online on Monday, Aug. 1. “Stay tuned for the screening schedules and book your tickets (or the theater) as soon as possible!”
Directed by Vince Tañada, martial law film Katips revolves around the challenges faced by a group of activists under the oppressive regime. As indicated in its synopsis, it’s “a tale of the young, in their fight for their ideals, how big can one get against a force too much bigger than yourself.” It emerged as a big winner at the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) 2022, taking home a total of seven awards.
Maid in Malacañang, meanwhile, will give Filipinos a glimpse of “the last 72 hours of the Marcoses inside the Palace through the eyes of one reliable source.”
Senator Imee Marcos—the daughter of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. who put the country under martial law for over ten years—vowed there won’t be any form of “historical revisionism” in the movie. “We’re not revising anything. It’s totally inaccurate to say that. We’re simply explaining in this film, to some degree, kung ano yung mga pangyayari nung huling tatlong araw.”
The decision of the micro-cinema to screen both films elicited various reactions online, with some expressing their disappointment for giving Maid in Malacañang a platform.
“Tumindig ka, Cinema 76,” a Facebook user commented.
“Cinema ’76, this isn’t you. Look at me, Cinema ’76, you don’t have to be a sellout. This isn’t the Cinema ’76 we all adored and loved,” another one wrote.
“Really, Cinema ’76? Alam na ngayon yung tunay na sagot niyo sa ‘Bayan o sarili,’” said a netizen.
Others simply acknowledged that the film society is simply doing business.
“Bakit ayaw niyo ipalabas sa Cinema 76? Both are Pinoy films,” one said.
“Relax guys, this isn’t about integrity or political views. It’s about money. They know both films will attract a lot of views so they want to maximize their profit,” wrote a Facebook user.
“Business is business,” another netizen commented.