By Alec Go
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) said Thursday, Feb. 16, that it will re-evaluate the 2023 film ‘Plane’ amid complaints against its portrayal of the country.
Senators said earlier this week that the film should not be shown in the Philippines.
“We acknowledge the sentiments expressed by our honorable Senators concerning the film, ‘Plane.’ Although the film is fictional, we still would not want our country to be portrayed in a negative and inaccurate light,” the MTRCB said.
“The MTRCB will re-evaluate the film in view of the concerns and will take all necessary measures if found to be in any way injurious to the prestige of the Philippines or its people,” it added.
During the Feb. 15 Senate session, Senator Robinhood Padilla said the film should be prohibited and condemned in the country.
“Hindi po natin ito dapat tanggapin. Sana po, nakikiusap po tayo sa ating MTRCB na sana po sa mga ganitong ganap, kumakatok tayo sa opisina nila, hindi po dapat ito ipinapalabas sa Pilipinas,” he said.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri backed Padilla’s sentiments, saying that the Philippines should send “regrets that this is not the real situation on the ground.”
Zubiri said he showed the film’s trailer to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco who were “in shock” with the trailer.
The film centered on the survival of passengers after an emergency landing into a hostile island without authorities. – gb
