Actress Janella Salvador voiced her frustration over Filipinos who favor watching foreign films over local Filipino movies.
In an Instagram story, Janella reposted film producer Richard Juan’s post about his friend who refused to watch a local film. Janella said that those who dismiss Filipino films are “arrogant and condescending.”
“People who think they are too good for local films. It doesn’t make you sound more sophisticated, just straight-up arrogant and condescending,” Janella wrote.
Janella recently starred in Richard’s latest film project “Under Parallel Skies,” together with Thai actor Win Metawin.
On the other hand, Richard also said that he was even surprised reading his friend’s reply.
“‘No time for that.’ Grabe. Seryoso ba? I really did not expect anyone to say this to me. As a new producer, these words really broke my heart. Ang sakit,” said Richard.
Pondering the words of his friend, Richard described it as a challenge for all Filipino filmmakers, highlighting that it’s okay to consider local films as international films, too.
“Let’s be real—lahat tayo may mga kaibigan na ganun din. I get it, not every film will resonate with everyone, and that’s 100% fine. Criticism is part of it naman talaga,” he continued.
“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?” added Richard.
He then encouraged Filipinos to continue supporting not just the Philippine cinema but also Asian films.
“Let’s champion not just Philippine cinema, but also Asian cinema with immense pride,” he wrote.