The MMFF controversies are still not done. This time, Oro might lose their award after complaints on the film’s dog slaughter scene.
Members of the MMFF Executive Committee and PAWS met yesterday regarding the morbid scene which is now being looked into. The committee stated that they still included the film in the lineup because Oro disclaimed that “no dog was actually killed.” However, director Alvin Yapan also allegedly admitted during the meeting that they did.
If you’ve seen the film, let that sink in for a sec.
Oro won the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award last Dec. 29. Sen. Grace Poe also weighed in on the issue, urging the MMFF committee to investigate this. “I call on the MMFF organizers to look into the matter of whether a dog was actually butchered as part of the filming of the movie Oro in violation of the existing law on animal welfare,” she says. “Though I am not part of the jury that decided on the award, it is my responsibility to uphold the values of [the late] FPJ. He would never condone an act of animal cruelty.”
Sen. Poe adds that there will criminal sanctions against the filmmakers and producers, as well as the MMFF, once this is proven. “Artistic license does not justify the violation of our laws.”
PAWS executive director Anna Cabrera called on the MMFF Committee to pull out the film from theaters and to retract Oro‘s award.
Meanwhile, MMFF spokesman Noel Ferrer acknowledged both statements and promises to “monitor the undertakings made by the makers of Oro.”
We stand by the call to investigate this matter. Whether this is true or not, no one should harm an animal (or person) for the sake of artistic representation.
Photo courtesy of Oro‘s Facebook page
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