BAMBANTI

Nobody told me that this will be a heavy drama. The trailer looks fine, the poster looks bad. I was expecting of a tiring storyline like in Ekstra, but damn, this shit made me cry.

What a welcome for 2015. This film not only has a good story, but it describes us. It’s a movie that’s made by a Filipino for it’s kapwa Filipino. There are a lot of traits and beliefs that this film showcased. It’s a battle of social status without being a poverty porn. It doesn’t even say that rich people are evil and shit. It’s just life. Life. A life that cuts a knife. This small incident in Isabela can describe the inequality within the entire nation where the rich can blame the poor because they’re poor and Utang na Loob goes a long way. Even if someone’s good to you, it doesn’t mean that they will never judge you. This film doesn’t need to tell you that this is based from true events. Mister Matapobre (a comedy sketch from Bubble Gang) will definitely love this.

Not only a hardcore drama, but it’s also a mystery and a coming-of-age story. You will probably guess what happened to the golden watch but what happens after the revelation is a whole different picture. I just love this film from the opening frame to the last. The farm scenes are so gorgeous. Musical score is spot-on. This film caters a lot to those who grew up with their moms. That letter reading is so melodramatic, it made me cry like a bitch… and I’m still thinking of that letter scene at the festival dance. I should be happy in those scenes, but man, shit got carried away. F*ck you, end credits song!

Sharmaine Buencamino (Martha) did a fantastic job in showing her character’s range. You know she has her reasons for being rough on the kid and his mom. This is not the best from Alessandra de Rossi (Belyn) but she did carry the film. Her expressions well-defined the agony of her situation as a widow, a single parent and a suspect. Micko Laurente (Popoy) is charming. But times are changing. I must admit that I also suspected him. It’s hard not to feel skeptical because the boy reacts in suspicious ways. He just cries whenever he’s being asked about the watch. He didn’t insist enough that he didn’t steal it. I just can’t hate Martha because their reactions are natural. Filipinos love pointing fingers. Just look at our president today and voila!

Bambanti is a magnificent and heartbreaking story of a simple widow that portraits the injustice, struggle and resilience of this nation.

BACORNTASTIC 4.5/5

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