Erik Matti does not want to join MMFF anymore

Erik confessed that given the script being simply a bulk of paper, he knew that no one – not even him – can guarantee its success at such an early stage. (File Photo: Erik Matti/Facebook)

Explosions entering the ears, lingering with fears, and blood spilling with tears – all of these play in the big screen as the crowd cheers.

Award-winning director Erik Matti’s action-packed “BuyBust” starring Anne Curtis that is set to hit the local theaters on August, was originally an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). However, after the rejection and controversy on the selection of films and the supposed blurring line between art and commercialism in the industry, Erik said that he would not want to be part of the annual film festival anymore.

“Sinubmit namin ito noon sa MMFF. ‘Yung script ha, script lang (We submitted this before to the MMFF. The script, only the script). Two years ago,” the 48-year-old director said in an interview with Philippines’ Ultimate Showbiz Hub (PUSH).

Erik confessed that given the script being simply a bulk of paper, he knew that no one – not even him – can guarantee its success at such an early stage.

However, he said in the same interview that despite thinking that it okay to not be accepted, it would still be a bit hurtful.

“Masakit pa rin na hindi ka tinanggap. Parang ang sinasabi, hindi maganda ang pelikula mo over all the others na pinili (it still hurts to not be accepted. It is as if, your film is not good over all others that were chosen),” he said.

Erik said that he has heard requests and recommendations to enter his films to the festival but rejected these.

“Hindi na kami nag-submit, hindi na ako nag-submit. I mean, magsa-submit as a company for negosyo, magsa-submit kami na hindi ako ‘yung director, okay lang ‘yon. Pero ako, personally, ayoko nang sumali (We did not submit, I did not submit. I mean, I will submit as a company for business, we will submit if I am not the director, that is okay. But personally, I do not want to join),” he further said.

It can be remembered that when Erik submitted “BuyBust,” it did not make the cut. On the day of the announcement of the accepted entries, three MMFF Executive Committee members resigned – to which the renowned director critiqued the selection process of the festival for prioritizing “commercial” over “art.”