The red carpet premiere of Ambisyon2010 still on despite X-rating of one film.

Some of them have box-office hits under their name while others are recognized internationally. These are the independent film directors behind “amBisyon2010,” a film project launched by ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel that aims to show the real issues at stake in the 2010 elections.

Fourteen established directors led by industry luminaries Erik Matti, Jeffrey Jeturian, and Brillante Mendoza and six grant winners committed to do four to eight minute short films on ten issues in the country – from education and health to corruption and democracy.

On April 6, the 20 filmmakers will have their first public appearance together in A much-anticipated red carpet theatrical premiere at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Dream Theater.

The “amBisyon2010” train hit a snag recently when the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board gave Jeturian’s “Ganito tayo ngayon, Paano na tayo bukas?” and “Mendoza’s “Ayos Ka,” an X rating, which prohibits the films from being shown to the public.

After further deliberation, the MTRCB withdrew last Monday (Mar 29) the X rating of “Ayos Ka,” a music video featuring clashing visuals and lyrics on the state of the country. While they upheld their previous decision on Jeturian’s piece, which follows a newspaper with a headline on the administration’s economic successes from the time it was delivered to a homeowner to when it is used to wipe feces from the foot of a cart-pushing vendor.

This incident has united the 20 filmmakers even more as they defend freedom of expression.

Jade Castro, who has enjoyed both critical and commercial success with films like “Endo” and “My Big Love,” said the times call for him to join “amBisyon2010.”

“I wanted to be a part of “amBisyon” kasi I’m a filmmaker who’s also a Filipino. And it’s my job to tell stories. Gagamitin ko yung alam ko to articulate, to give voice dun sa turmoil sa bansa,” he said.

John Torres, whose films have been screened from Rotterdam to Berlin, also saw the project as a way to express himself as a Filipino. “Gustong maghayag ng sariling ambisyon bilang Pilipino in my own terms, in my own language—not necessarily being very overly political about things,” he explained.

Renowned documentarist Ditsi Carolino, on the other hand, found it an opportunity to raise awareness on social issues. “I thought that if I could present the farmers’ issue, their fight for land, ‘yung Agrarian Reform struggle, and present that in the context of the elections, then that would be something,” she said.

Paolo Villaluna, who conceptualized the project with fellow “amBisyon2010” director Emman Dela Cruz, said he hopes to answer his own questions about the country through this project. “Not only is it (amBisyon2010) supposed to inspire but more importantly, it’s supposed to provoke people into thinking again about their future,” he explained.

Meanwhile, internationally acclaimed filmmaker Brillante Mendoza, who recently received an award at the 24th Fribourg International Film Festival and the 11th Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival for his film “Lola,” said taking part in the project is already taking action.

“Ayaw ko ‘yung nakikinig, nakikita lang…gusto ko maging parte kasi may ambisyon din ako para sa mga Pilipino, may ambisyon din ako sa mga ginagawa ko, may ambisyon ako na gusto kong i-share sa Filipino audience,” he said.

“AmBisyon2010” will have a five-part TV premiere on ANC (SkyCable channel 27) and Studio 23 starting April 9. For more details on the project, just visit www.abs-cbnnews.com/ambisyon2010.