Here are my reviews for the four and a
half Filipino films I saw in the first World Premieres Film Festival
that I’ve attended.
OF SINNERS AND SAINTS (Ruben Maria
Soriquez)
- No rating because I only saw the
second half of the film due to WPFF’s poor scheduling. The action pieces were
meticulously done even if we’ve seen it a lot.
FILEMON MAMON (Will Fredo): ★★½☆☆
- A charming mess. It sacrificed coherence to address its
advocacy on nutrition, heroism, friendship, self-acceptance, public schools’
lack of funding and so much more. I had an extremely hard time deciding if I
should give it a higher score because I was laughing through it, particularly
the hospital scene, but I realized that the film forgot to address one huge
important message: Do well in academics.
All we saw from the characters, who were dressed inappropriately and
looked older than they should be, are extra-curricular activities. Noli Me
Tangere and Geometry were mentioned, but we didn’t see or feel them study hard.
However, I still want this to be seen in elementary schools because its heart
is in the right place. The veggies vs junk foods fliptop is epic. Hooray for
Pinoy musical films!
EPIC LINE: “Bakit? Lalaki lang ba ang pwedeng mag-Andres Bonifacio?”
ANG KWENTO NATING DALAWA (Nestor Abrogena): ★★★½☆
- Most films cut the travelling scene, which is usually one of the
biggest parts of the day. This is where we sometimes think of ourselves, what
we have done in our lives and what are our plans for tomorrow, especially when
we are late for school or work. The film relies on how far you can relate to
these characters. I was lost in the middle with their privileged college
student lifestyle but it picked up big time from the taxi scene up to the end.
There is that tension and desire to stop time. I’ve been in that situation
where you’re sure on how it will end and you’re just stalling it from
happening. The last scene was appropriate even if the original ending could’ve
probably affect me more, from what I’ve heard. Don’t read the synopsis because
it’s a huge spoiler.
Doroteo Jose > Batanes & Sagada
 |
| Photos taken on Doroteo Jose LRT station footbridge |
AN KUBO SA KAWAYANAN (Alvin Yapan): ★★★★½
- Menacingly beautiful. It’s hard to put into words how modest yet
extremely ambiguous this film is. Mercedes Cabral’s exceptional performance,
together with the oddness of the titular setting, continuously haunts me and I
won’t be pretentious enough to say that I completely understood the film. From
my understanding, it’s a poetic love letter to our uncanny nation that we should
preserve and care for as if they’re part of us. Even if it’s not my top
favorite Filipino film, it’s surely the best this year has offered so far. Man,
those tinikling-tahi-pukpok and bamboo POV scenes are jaw-dropping.
Quoting my favorite line from American Beauty that I remembered from its
last scene…
“It’s hard to stay mad when there’s so much beauty in the world.
Sometimes, I feel like I’m seeing it all at once and it’s too much. My heart
fills up like a balloon that’s about to burst. And then I remember to relax,
and stop trying to hold on to it. And then it flows through me like rain. And I
can’t feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little
life. You have no idea what I’m talking about I’m talking about, I’m sure. But
don’t worry… you will someday.”
Congratulations to the winners!
A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS FILIPINO (Lamberto V. Avellana, Remastered 1965
version, based on a play written by Nick Joaquin): ★★★★★
- What a perfect film to restore! This film is primarily about heritage
and preservation, made possible by combining two national artists’ vision that resulted
to a timeless masterpiece. It’s perhaps my 4th time to watch this
film since high school. I’ve also read and seen the play, portrayed by Dimples
Romana, AJ Dee and Paw Diaz. I still memorize and cry at the last oration of
it. Remastered or not, it’s still as gorgeous and as timely as before. Seeing
this film is a blessing. Well done, FDCP! Now, post it on Youtube and share it
to everyone because the people deserve it.
I rarely describe the synopsis of a movie but it feels necessary to
tell everyone what this classic play is about. Set in Intramuros before the 2nd
World War, the story centers on two old and unmarried sisters named Paula
and Candida, portrayed by Naty Crame-Rogers and another national artist Daisy
H. Avellana, as they face struggles with their finance, pride, obnoxious
boarder and a portrait, given to them by their father, that they refuse to
sell even for a remarkably expensive price.
The war has ended, the film reached its golden year, but almost everything
stayed the same. Manila is still in poverty. Artists are still being sell-outs.
Vic Silayan is still radiantly handsome on screen. But there are still those
people like Bitoy Camacho, who preserves the legacy and grace of his culture. I’m
not sure if I’m one of those guys who can sacrifice everything for my city but
I believe that Manila, the place where I grew up and stayed for two decades, is
not dead. It might not happen today or in my lifetime but it shall rise again. Let’s not be a Nietzsche about it.
Haven’t seen the
musical version but I’m counting on the movie adaptation to be epic.
You’re move, “Ang
Larawan”.
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