Beginning of filmmaking in the Philippines has
entered the 70th year of its history. Philippine cinema beginnings have been
evolve from making movies since 1919. That is long enough for an Filipino
art form to reach a high level of maturity and relevance. That the Filipino
movie industry has produced only a handful of works of enduring interest and
value may disappoint the cinema historian who approaches the industry
without understanding the related context. It is, therefore, important to
note that the beginnings of the cinema industry arose, not from a local felt
need, but from the initiative of foreign businessmen. In this way, the
problems of the Filipino movie industry meet its counterpart in the West,
particularly the Hollywood, can be better appreciated. Two Swiss businessmen
introduced movie shows in Metro Manila as early as 1897, regaling audiences
with documentary movie clips showing recent events and natural calamities in
Europe. At this time, People in Philippines were waging a revolutionary war
against the colonial rule of Spain.
But movie clips can hold the attention of audiences only for the duration of
their novelty. Thus, the creating of the first feature movies boosted the
dwindling interest in film showings. In 1912, two foreign businessmen, this
time Americans, made a sensation in Metro Manila when they put on
Philippine cinema movies the story of Dr. Jose P. Rizal's execution.
Here was material close to Filipino people, subject guaranteeing ticket
sales. |
