Award-winning director Tikoy Aguiluz could not believe that the trailer of his upcoming horror film “Tragic Theater” was given an X-rating — twice, in fact — by the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
On his official Facebook account, Aguiluz shared that the trailer earned the classification after the board deemed it “too scary.”
He told Interaksyon, “Horror film ito kaya dapat scary, hindi ba?”
“Tragic Theater” is based on G.M. Coronel’s novel of the same title about the exorcism done at the Manila Film Center.
According to the MTRCB’s Implementing Rules and Regulations of 2004, a film is afforded an X-rating if it is deemed “not suitable for public exhibition,” and appeals to and satisfies “craving for gratuitous sex and/or violence.”
A film could also be tagged with an X-rating if it is “patently lewd, offensive, or demeaning” ; it attacks any race, creed, or religion; condones or encourages the use of illegal drugs and substances; undermines the faith and confidence of the people in their government and/or duly-constituted authorities; glorifies criminals or condones crimes; libelous or defamatory to the good name and reputation of any living or dead person; and if it “may constitute contempt of court or of a quasi-judicial tribunal, or may pertain to matters which are sub-judicial in nature.”
Aguiluz doesn’t think the trailer is either too violent or too gory. “I don’t see anything wrong with it,” he said.
“That is why I want to upload my version of the trailer on YouTube and social media so the people can judge for themselves,” he added.
Aguiluz believes Viva Films, which produced the feature, might submit a new trailer for review.
Past works of Aguiluz that received an X-rating were “Boatman,” “Segurista” and “Biyaheng Langit.”
