Controversial film director Jowee Morel has called on his fellow Filipino filmmakers, particularly those who will join the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival this year, to speak up against alleged harsh censorship in the Philippines.

Morel challenged internationally acclaimed directors Brillante Mendoza, Raya Martin and Adolf Alix Jr., all big names in the local movie industry, to vent their sentiments on the current state of censorship in the country.

“They are already powerful persons and artists who could persuade our local censors to equalize their stance on films believed to be victims of arbitrary decisions by the state regulatory body,” said Morel.

Mendoza's "Kinatay (The Execution of P)," Alix's "Independencia" and Martin's "Manila" are set to be screened at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival from May 13 to 24. 
 
Mendoza’s opus on the underworld is an official entry to the main competition while Martin’s turn-of-the-century saga on the advent of Philippine cinema in the country will be exhibited at the Un Certain Regard section of the festival.  Alix’s foray into Manila’s underbelly, which he directed back-to-back with Martin, will be shown at the fete's out-of-competition division.

“Sana ay sabihin nila sa buong mundo ang problema natin sa sensura. Makikinig ang buong mundo sa kanila at makakatulong ito para mamulat ang mga mata ng ating censors body,” said Morel.

“If we are free as artists, why are we being persecuted like this?” Morel added.

Morel said he was disappointed with censorship being implemented in a democratic country like the Philippines.

According to Morel, he was deprived of his economic rights when the video distribution of “Strictly Confidential” was nixed by Synergy, a local distribution company, after it learned that the film is under fire from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).  

On Monday afternoon Morel met with his lawyer regarding a complaint filed against him by the MTRCB for allegedly violating film laws.

The complaint stemmed from a screening of Morel's film, “Strictly Confidential,” at the University of the Philippines Diliman Videotheque last February 16. According to MTRCB lawyer Jonathan Presquito, the film was screened for commercial gain and without the agency’s necessary permit.

Morel was supposedly summoned by the MTRCB but failed to appear on the date of the inquiry because he said he didn’t receive a notice of hearing from the state regulatory body. 

The director reportedly learned about the investigation through a text message sent to him by a fellow director. Accordingly, one of Morel’s staff went to Presquito, cleared the issue and volunteered to submit the filmmaker’s counter-affidavit to MTRCB.

When Morel submitted his written testimony, he was advised to attend the next meeting on May 21.

Morel is the acclaimed director of ”Mga Paru-Parong Rosas,” “Moma,” “Ezy2Luv,” “Mona, Singapore Escort,” “When A Gay Man Loves,” and “Latak.”