Press Release
May 25, 2009

Villar Salutes Filipino Filmmaker Brillante 'Dante'Mendoza
for Winning 'Best Director' at Cannes Film Festival

Nacionalista Party President Sen. Manny Villar today congratuled Brillante 'Dante' Mendoza for making the Philippines proud by winning the much-coveted 'Best Director' award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France for his work in the highly acclaimed film 'Kinatay'.

"I join all the Filipinos in celebrating Mendoza's triumph. Indeed, he has elevated the caliber of local filmmaking to international stature. He truly deserves the distinction of being the first Filipino to win the Best Director prize in Cannes," Villar said.

Villar noted that even before 'Kinatay', Mendoza's other films have gained the approval of critics here and abroad. He is no stranger to Cannes as well, since his film 'Serbis' was also one of the entries last year.

The former Senate president also filed a Proposed Resolution No. 1085 for the Upper Chamber to recognize Mendoza's outstanding feat as a film maker.

"It is such an honor that our very own Mendoza bested other multi-awarded directors such as Ang Lee, Pedro Almodovar, Jane Campion and Quentin Tarantino. A Filipino director now stands proud alongside other great filmmakers worldwide," Villar said.

"Mendoza does not only create masterpieces in filmmaking, his films also depict the ills and realities of our society, which serve as an eye-opener to our countrymen. The situations that serve as the core theme of his movies also hit the viewers with their socially relevant messages," he added.

The film 'Kinatay' features corrupt cops who murdered a woman. Villar said the issue is quite timely since rogue cops and other uniformed personnel--the supposed protector of the people--are reported to be involved in crimes and wrongdoings themselves.

"Filmmakers such as Mendoza and other Filipino artists for that matter, deserve not only our accolades but also more support from the government and even the private sector," Villar said.

Villar authored a number of bills in the Senate proposing additional incentives for individuals who made significant contribution to the development of the Philippine film industry, including Senate Bill No. 1596, or the bill providing "Artista ng Bayan" awardees cash prizes and non-monetary recognition and Senate Bill No. 1014, increasing the cash award of National Artists.

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