The great majority of moviegoers just watch movies for escapist entertainment, to be able to get away from the harsh realities of everyday living and forget their problems for a while. “Ma Rosa” is a serious drama that hits you on the face about the truth on poverty, drugs, corruption in the police force, the cruelty of people to each other. It’s definitely a feel bad movie as you reflect on what’s happening in our country.
And as Director Brilliante Mendoza himself says: it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. He might have won tons of acclaim from international film festivals, but just like Lav Diaz who wins abroad, he still has to find an audience in his home country where he has yet to come with a solid box office hit.
