The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) disapproved the public exhibition of the trailer of the short film TheRapist.
The award-winning short film starring veteran actress Cherie Gil was directed by Diane Ventura and was earmarked for commercial release on Nov. 2, supposedly to open the commercial run of Ventura’s first full-length feature film, the award-winning Mulat (Awaken) starring Jake Cuenca, Ryan Eigenmann and newcomer Loren Burgos.
In a letter sent to Solar Films, the local distributor of both films by Ventura, MTRCB chief Eugenio Villareal ruled that the trailer is “not for public exhibition” citing “language and scenes depicting sexual activity” as the reason for such a decision.
The award-winning director Diane Ventura, defends her short film. “I understand how this movie could be misconstrued as condoning the vile act of rape. But in this film, I’m not talking about the jump-out-of-the-bushes assault of a helpless victim. I’m talking about certain situations wherein a girl actually has the power and capability to get herself out of a possibly precarious situation where she feels uncomfortable and unsettled.“
Diane said, “It’s about female empowerment and not allowing yourself to be put in situations that you do not want to be in, or get yourself in a position where your decision-making capabilities are vitiated.”
She agrees, “Rape is a detestable crime. That is why this film is important. It tells us that though, we have no control over other people’s actions and moral values, we do we have control of ourselves and having awareness of this fact helps us in becoming more pro-active. This way, we have the power not to put ourselves in a helpless predicament.”
Ventura’s TheRapist was the official selection in the following film festivals – Cinemanila, World Cinema Festival in Brazil, Luang Prabang Festival in Laos, and the International Film Festival Manhattan in New York.
The public may yet have a chance to see TheRapist should MTRCB give it the go signal to be featured side-by-side Mulat (Awaken) on Nov. 2 at your favorite theaters.
Mulat gave Ventura the best director citation, and best actor citation for Jake Cuenca at the International Film Festival Manhattan in New York; and Best Narrative Feature and Best Actor for Jake Cuenca again at the Brazil World Cinema Festival recently.
