Given this, there is no question that Mike de Leon fits the mold, probably the only living Filipino artist in his chosen medium of film that can lay claim to it. (In fact, one can rightfully argue that he is our greatest filmmaker.) His immaculate filmography reveals a brooding intelligence that manages to tackle everything from melodrama and comedy to horror and science-fiction without compromising its distinct vision. His reclusive and for the most part misunderstood personality does not help rescue him from being stigmatized as one either.
Just as England has Alfred Hitchcock, America Stanley Kubrick and Japan Yasujiro Ozu and Akira Kurosawa, the Philippines has Mike de Leon. Yet even with that claim, it doesn’t seem enough. (The writer struggles to pick words from the ether.) Genius holds a weight that is carried even by those who come to admire it.
(To be honest, it seems that Mike de Leon would be a happier man if he weren’t a cinematic genius.)
With all this in mind (and the upcoming nominations for National Artist coming up), we decided to throw around the question: Does Mike de Leon deserve to be National Artist for Cinema and why? The responses varied from the ecstatic to the dead-pan. Why only now? Should we wait until he’s dead like the two others who form the trinity of the Second Golden Age of Philippine Cinema, Ishmael Bernal and Lino Brocka? Some point to his achievements and the fact that he’s had films critically-acclaimed around the world, including two (Kisapmata and Batch ’81) being shown in Cannes at the same time (which according to one film buff was a first in the history of the festival). And to the remarks that Mike de Leon is too young or his output is too minimal Our respondents quickly point out that Lino Brocka was even younger when he received the distinction. On De Leon’s minimal output, it must be stressed that the National Artist Award is not a question of the number of films you put out. (If that were the case we might as well give the award to every pito-pito hack that puts out a movie every two months.)
Also, a cursory survey of young filmmakers will reveal an overwhelming admiration that even supercedes Brocka or any other current National Artist for Cinema. Surely, the awarding of the title National Artist to Mike de Leon only confirms what many of us already know: It’s about time.
Vilma Santos Recto, Mayor, Lipa City, Star for all Seasons – Yes. I salute Direk Mike de Leon. He is such a genius in filmmaking. He is meticulous and a perfectionist in all his projects – most especially in the technical aspects. Nakikita naman, di ba? Mike makes any performer feel like a real artist because of his exceptional directorial prowess. All his works have relevance, not merely in the political sense. The message is present, tackling current national issues and the realities of life. Totoo ang mga pelikula niya.
I miss working with him. I only made one movie with him and that’s Sister Stella L. Personally, that movie is in the top five of my favorite list.
Charo Santos-Concio, executive vice president, ABS-CBN, actress – Yes, Mike is a master of his craft, a perfectionist, an eminent artist, a genius in filmmaking.
Lourd De Veyra, poet, musician and Carlos Palanca awardee for essay – Why the hell not? To elucidate, Mike de Leon is the only living director who understands film language, who never compromised his vision regardless of the cost. And, most of all, because he might be the only National Artist who won’t show up for his own awarding – and that’s something I’d like to see.
Quark Henares, director and Carlos Palanca awardee for Teleplay – Although the volume of his work is minimal compared to other great directors, every film of Mike de Leon is close to perfect. He is probably the only Filipino director who never compromised and his work speaks for itself. His films are funny, thought-provoking, oftentimes disturbing. And the fact that he’s never made a wholesome tearjerker is something to be admired.
Jun Sabayton, independent filmmaker and independent film icon – Ok sa amin maging National Artist si Mike de Leon. Isa siya sa mga baliw na nagmamahal sa sining ng pelikula.
Lav Diaz, director and Carlos Palanca awardee for Script – Matagal na dapat National Artist si Mike de Leon. Sa kanyang henerasyon na nasa mainstream Philippine cinema, siya lang ang hindi nagcompromise. Hindi siya nagpakaputa. May sarili siyang aesthetic. Modelo siyang artist na may respeto sa kanyang sining at sa manunood.
Gabriel Barredo, visual artist – Of course. He’s brilliant. Mike de Leon is in a class of his own. He has his own language. Unfortunately, sometimes people here don’t see him in the way he’s meant to be seen because we’re so traditional. Undoubtedly, he is a genius.
Agustin Sugatan, independent filmmaker and Carlos Palanca awardee for Script – I believe that Mike de Leon really deserves the National Artist Award. As proof, he is one of the few filmmakers we have who deserves the title "filmmaker." From script to screen, he truly knows his language and voice. Besides, he, I think, is the only Filipino filmmaker who did no crappy film.
Joel Torre, actor, filmmaker – I believe he should be named National Artist because he never compromised his work. I’ve been to a lot of film festivals abroad and his name is very well known, like Lino Brocka. Imagine he had two films showing in Cannes at the same time. That’s quite an achievement. Also, we should give it to him now that he’s still around and to encourage him to make more films. (It came too late for someone like Lino Brocka.) The country should support artists like him as they are instrumental in representing our country abroad, and for nation-building. Another thing, Mike de Leon is one of the fathers of independent cinema. A lot of young artists regard him as a model. Do I think he wants to be National Artist? No, I don’t think he subscribes to that idea. Nonetheless, we should give it to him.
Roberto Chabet, visual artist and professor, UP College of Fine Arts – Better to give the award to Mike’s father. Mike’s dad produced some of the best Pinoy films like Anak Dalita and Badjao. And produced one of the most important Pinoy filmmakers – Mike de Leon.
Neil Daza, filmmaker – Yes. Mike’s work is consistently excellent and continues to inspire a new generation of filmmakers.
Yam Laranas, director, cinematographer – He deserves to be National Artist. All his films are classics. He is very influential to new filmmakers and has created groundbreaking movies.
Jon Red, director – Yes, he deserves to be National Artist. He brought alternative and experimental filmmaking to the mainstream format, venue and audience. Also, marami sa indie filmmakers today, si Mike ang model which proves his worth and influence.
Miguel Fabie III, cinematographer – Yes, his influence on fledging filmmakers is enough testament. He also proves that cinema is not Hollywood.
Raymond Red, filmmaker and Palm D’Or awardee – With or without an official proclamation, Mike de Leon has ever since been a National Artist for Cinema to me.
Khavn Dela Cruz, musician, director – Why not? Aside from Lino Brocka, he’s the only other Pinoy who’s full-lengths have been featured in Cannes. Also, astig ang Aliwan Paradise and the first part of Bayaning 3rd World.
Ruben De Jesus, professor, UP College of Fine Arts – I think he should be recognized as National Artist because of his body of work. More than just being recognized here and abroad, his work tackles themes and issues that are relevant to our way of life and culture. It is also tackled very well in his chosen medium.
Argee Guevarra, lawyer, poet, activist – Yes. Mike de Leon’s cinematic genius is both a manifestation and a creation of the collective experiences of our generation’s struggle for national liberation. Undoubtedly, his works not only speak for themselves but more significantly speak for our nation’s searching for a common voice amidst all the disconcerting noise in these turbulent times.
Joyce Bernal, director – Sangayon ako sa pagiging National Artist ni Direk Mike de Leon. Sa dami ng directors, isa siya sa mga pinaka may karapatan na ilagay "a film by." All aspects of filmmaking from the technical to the creative, kaya niya. Truly ahead of his time. Genius siya at may topak. But in a positive way.
R.A Rivera, independent filmmaker, director of Strangebrew – Sa limited na alam ko sa criteria ng pagpili ng National Artist, sangayon ako. Influential sa mga sumunod na generation ng filmmakers ang mga ginawa niyang pelikula. Mahusay at matapang ang mga mensahe ng mga ito para sa panahon nito.
Jo Atienza, film archivist – I believe that he is a very strong bet for National Artist. He may not be as prolific as other directors. To date he has only directed eight-and-one-fourth commercial feature films (Itim, Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising, Kakabakaba Ka Ba?, Kisapmata, Batch ’81, Sister Stella L., Hindi Nahahati Ang Langit, Aliwan Paradise of the Southern Wind Series, and Bayaning Third World), a movie shot on video (Bilanggo sa Dilim), a few documentaries and short films (Signos and Monologo, being among them) and produced and photographed one of the best films in the world (Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag). But a look at his short but impressive filmography will convince one that he is an artist of the highest caliber. He has tried almost all genres – horror, love story, comedy, crime story (massacre?), youth-oriented drama with bits of action, socio-political, komiks melodrama, futuristic and historical – and all of them managed to be one of the best, if not the best, in their respective genre. His films are not only known for their intelligent content and excellent directorial hand, they are also known for adhering to the highest technical and artistic standard. Quality-wise, he has a 100 percent batting average. Come to think of it, his low output attests to the fact that he refuses to compromise the integrity of his art in the highly commercial world of moviemaking. Quality over quantity. To the argument that Mike de Leon is too young for the award – Lino Brocka, who was awarded posthumously, died and ended his career at an even younger age. For once, let us give the award to someone who is alive and well enough to appreciate the recognition given to his artistic contributions.
CINEMAREGLA, an independent collective of filmmakers, joint statement – Bakit dapat National Artist si Mike de Leon? First, dahil paborito namin ang Kakabakaba Ka Ba? At siya ang direktor na malakas ang sense of humor. Second, advanced si Mike. Madami siyang alam from cinematography, production design, directing, etc. Habang buhay pa dapat bigyan na siya ng recognition. Third, kasi pinatunayan niya na kayang mag survive ang filmmaker nang hindi nagpapatali sa producer. Fourth, malaki ang naitulong niya sa independent filmmakers sa libreng pagamit sa mga facilities. Malakas ang support niya sa independent filmmakers. Fifth, mas maraming nai-inspired sa kanya lalo na yung mga young filmmakers.
Robert Quebral, director, cinematographer – His lifelong passion for the craft makes him a true film icon in this country. No other Filipino filmmaker can match his impressive filmography, I think. But what really sets him apart is his sprawling influence over young filmmakers. If you ask around, you’d be surprised to hear that they have either been trained by him or have worked for him one way or the other. Aspiring filmmakers are known to seek his support and advice and established ones would often look back to his works for inspiration. There is no escaping Mike de Leon. And for this alone he deserves to be a National Artist.
Rico Ilarde, director – In Philippine cinema, if Brocka expertly played to the hilt the iconic role of the impassioned, movie director, then Mike de Leon was perfectly content to live the life of the consummate filmmaker. It’s a way of putting in perspective the legacies of the two Filipino directorial giants without necessarily pitting their cinematic attributes against one another. They were once collaborators, after all.
In an era where gayish, melodramatic, histrionics are the norm in cinema – and are usually the easy-way-out solution for filmmakers lacking conviction and nerve –Direk Mike marched to the beat of his own drum machine, no matter how difficult this was to himself, and to his often staunchly loyal collaborators. There is an almost manic attention to detail on all the technical aspects (i.e. art direction, sound design, photography, editing) of his films that it comes as no surprise upon hearing he is a revered figurehead in local film schools. Despite the bravura techno flair of his movies, the performances of his actors are surprisingly almost always naturalistic. This shows the deep respect of a true artist for the art of filmmaking and every facet that it comprises.
In an age where even our most established directors commit the folly of blatantly choosing a film to sell a message as propaganda, Mike de Leon’s films often offer no easy answers – much less a message – but disturbing questions about the human condition. And about Filipinos. It’s perhaps this reason why his films haven’t attained mass popularity or box-office success locally.
And in our "wanna-be-in" Filipino culture, wherein even our most respected filmmakers are embarrassingly unapologetic in their pursuit of sensationalistic films that almost literally scream and beg from the screen, "Give me an award! Give me an award!’’ Direk Mike de Leon steadfastly goes at his own pace, living a life where enduring, and then coming up with a great film, is a prize and reward into itself.
Diego Mapa, musician, actor – Sangayon ako diyan, nung napanood ko yung Batch ’81, naturn-on ako sa simplicity nito yet malakas yung impact. Classic din yung editing, what’s left of the ’70s clothes and synth soundtrack.