MTRCB disapproves ‘The Carpenter’s Son’ for public viewing

FOR offending and ridiculing religious beliefs, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) gave foreign film, “The Carpenter’s Son,” an X rating after two review screenings.

The decision is based on provisions of the 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Presidential Decree No. 1986, Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code and Presidential Decree No. 960. All of which set standards on public decency, respect for religious beliefs and the prohibition of content deemed gravely offensive to Filipino cultural and moral values.

The first submission was violative of the 2004 IRR of PD No. 1986, Chapter IV, Section 1(f), subsection (c), which states that a material is unsuitable for public viewing if it “clearly constitutes an attack against any race, creed or religion.”

According to the Committee report, “the film’s non-canonical and horror-oriented depiction of the childhood of Jesus Christ,” may be perceived as blasphemous or highly offensive to the predominantly Catholic population in the Philippines.

Drawing from a Gnostic text regarded as heretical, the narrative portrays Jesus/The Boy as rebellious, malicious or seemingly under demonic influence or spiritual attack—elements that significantly diverge from core Christian doctrines.

The use of sacred religious figures and themes for “gonzo horror” purposes may be interpreted as a direct affront to religious sensibilities.

Upon receiving an X rating, the distributor resubmitted a new version. A new set of review committee composed of three (3) different Board Members, reviewed the material and reaffirmed the X rating.

The Committee said, “After reviewing the themes and depictions in ‘The Carpenter’s Son,’ the Committee has classified the film as ‘X’ because specific content violates established standards on decency, respect for religious beliefs and public morals as set forth in Philippine law and the MTRCB IRR.”

The Committee emphasized that the decision “does not curtail artistic freedom but fulfills the Board’s duty to provide reasonable protection for minors, cultural values and deeply-held religious beliefs in a predominantly Christian country.”

Furthermore, the Committee cited the following legal grounds.

First, under the MTRCB IRR of PD No. 1986, the Board shall issue an X rating or Not for Public Exhibition to materials if they “offend any race, nation or religion; tend to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government or duly constituted authority; are immoral, indecent, contrary to law and good customs; or, are otherwise injurious to the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines.”

Second, it was found violative under Presidential Decree No. 960. The material depicted “mutilation, destruction, defilement, or disrespect of objects of religious veneration; and acts notoriously offensive to the feelings of the faithful.”

The Committee noted that “The Carpenter’s Son” depicts religious icons or rituals being desecrated, abused or treated in a manner that Filipino Catholics would deem grossly offensive.

It also uses religious imagery in sexually explicit, violent or degrading contexts, and presents holy figures in a way interpreted as intentional contempt rather than legitimate artistic interpretation.

“Then the material falls under acts “notoriously offensive to the feelings of the faithful, justifying an X rating because public exhibition would violate PD 960,” the report said.

Third, Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code prohibits “immoral or indecent exhibitions” and content that “offends religion.”

The Committee concluded that “The Carpenter’s Son” merits an X Rating because the film contains depictions that:

1. Profoundly offend or ridicule religious beliefs, violating MTRCB IRR provisions;

2. Commit acts notoriously offensive to the feelings of the faithful, as defined by PD 960;

3. Show obscene or immoral exhibitions offensive to religion, under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code.

“This decision is rooted in the Board’s mandate to balance artistic freedom with the protection of the cultural and spiritual values of the Filipino public, especially in a predominantly Christian nation,” the report said.

Recently, the Board also issued an X rating twice to “Dreamboi” before earning an R-18 rating after producers submitted a third version.

The Committee said that “while containing explicit material that warrants an R-18 classification, ‘Dreamboi’ remains valuable for its authentic portrayal of marginalized experience and contribution to inclusivity in Philippine storytelling.”

The MTRCB reiterates that an X rating does not curtail artistic freedom, but reflects the Board’s duty under Philippine laws to ensure that publicly exhibited materials do not gravely violate standards of morality, decency or respect for religious beliefs.

(ROHN ROMULO)