I found out they would be selling tickets days before the festival began, so I dragged Randy, Bobbhie and my brother Red, to CPP and planned our schedule. Yup, we schedule every movie, kill us.
Here's what we came up with.
Movies. All day. Every day.
We initially bought 8 tickets.
Instagram shot, I know. Sorry.
For the past 2 years, I was only able to watch like, 3 or 4 films. Disappointing, I know. During those times, I would just be in my room and sulk. That's nothing compared to how I participate back in college. So now, I'm really happy I get to have some time and most importantly, money, for this year's Cinemalaya.
Anyway, Cinemalaya is also an event where I get to reunite with some of my friends who I rarely see and even talk to since we finished school. I was in cloud nine when I saw Vivi and Florie. They're my gang. They're my sisters.
L-R: Bobbhie, Aika, me, Dani, Ella, Florie and Vivi
My long lost Aquino sisters!
Florie, Vivi and me
Here are some quick reviews of the films I watched:
Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (1974)
Directed by: Lino Brocka
Instant 5 out of 5 stars. I've been wanting to watch this since I became educated about Brocka and they're right, Brocka's a god. The plot can be a reflection of how one lives his/her life, environment, even the country. It's not your usual Pinoy drama. There's density to every little thing. Again, it made me think, how come people then were able to create a masterpiece such as this film when nowadays, where we have almost everything a filmmaker, producer, writer, whatever could ever ask for, comes up with a movie with a song as its title? Unacceptable but that's reality. I have to mention this though, Christopher de Leon, Mario O'Hara and Hilda Koronel were such cutie pies.
Cuchera (2011)
Directed by: Joseph Israel Laban
This was a competing film last year, Randy saw it and literally forced us to watch it this year. It's about the operation of drug mules, 24 hours before they leave the country. I like the story, one significant factor on Independent Films is how relevant the plot is to the society. It is also thoroughly researched. I only had a minor problem with the characters, as the film showed shots where one may think you'd get to know more about the players but... no. You don't. Not that it is needed, quite frankly, it's not. But for me, it showed a clash with the writing and the producing. There are also a lot of unnecessary shots. I guess to further establish that "Hey, this is an Indie film" but it doesn't work that way. Also they reused a specific shot, the road shot, when they were traveling to the airport. Just not... cute.
Requieme! (2012)
Directed by: Loy Arcenas
There's more to it than the funny moments of a broken family and loud neighborhood and that gay character, Joanna, which Anthony Falcon portrayed very well. It's also about the process of letting go of someone, alive or dead. The plot's very relatable but not for my taste. There are so many things going on, the transition from one scene or place to another are kind of messy and it was way too long. Shamaine Centenera Buencamino and Rex Cortez were superb though, of course.
Kalayaan (2012)
Directed by: Adolf Alix Jr.
The movie is about how Julian, a soldier, protecting an island here in the Philippines, deals with isolation and loneliness. I like Sir Adolf and I dig his films. Really. But they take some time for me to appreciate it (except Manila (2009) which sucked major Piolo Pascual ass). Pretty much like how he took time to establish that the character's sad and alone. It's way, way too long for me. But I am in love with the story, the cinematography (I have never seen heaps of artistic and beautiful shots in my life), the actors, everything. I love, love, love it. I have to admit, at first, it made my head hurt. We had to talk about the film for almost 2 hours over coffee. The plot's good and what I like about most, as with every Adolf Alix film, is that he made me think. I watched and he fiddled with my head. Made me remember that, I watch films not only to be entertained but to also satisfy my brain. Also, Ananda Everingham. Uhm hmm.
Ananda Everingham!!!
Aparisyon (2012)
Directed by: Vincent Sandoval
This is about nuns being struck by the hardships of the outside world despite being secluded in their convent. It is about exploring guilt in a guiltless perceived environment. Powerful and outstanding story. Powerful performances from Jodi Sta. Maria, Mylene Dizon, Raquel Villavicencio and Fides Cuygan-Asensio. Everything about this film left me breathless. I'm going to keep this short - if Aparisyon didn't win, I'm going to hate Cinemalaya one notch higher.
Oros (2012)
Directed by: Paul Sta. Ana
It was... okay. I have nothing more to say to it, really. It was just okay. It was obvious and expected. Kristoffer King and that face. That's it.
Ang Mumunting Lihim (2012)
Directed by: Jose Javier Reyes
I was really excited with the plot but it wasn't carried all throughout the film. It started out strong but towards the middle and end, it kind of faded. And it raised my issue again with the unnecessary use of curse words, just thrown in to the script to portray humor. Great actors of course, Judy Ann Santos, Agot Isidro and Janice De Belen. Iza Calzado just looked mad all the time. Mad and bored but not completely bored, just trying to be bored, you know what I mean? Like, I get it ma'am. Your character calls for you to be snobbish but that's a completely different realm from looking like a mad slash violent bitch.
Bwakaw (2012)
Directed By: Jun Lana
Eddie Garica as Rene, did it again guys. He gave another stellar performance as an old gay, with his dog, Bwakaw, living and waiting to die. There's more to it than that tearjerker trailer alone. Well, it is, as a whole, a tearjerker movie. This film will make you laugh, sad and cry, and think of the decisions you've made in the past that ultimately will determine you and your life. I'm so happy I got to see this as I feel it will be presented in foreign film festivals. Fingers crossed!
Okay, that was long. :P
Florie gave me a ticket for Kamera Obscura but I wasn't able to watch it. Too early, man.
Overall, well, in terms of what I've seen and feedback to those I haven't, the strength of the line up is depleting. I was over the moon due to heaps of films, of course but I am going compare and I think it's just right because, this is still a competition and every year, you should set the bar up higher. I remember back then, we couldn't decide on what to watch because all of the films we heard that were good, would be showing at the same time on different theaters. I miss that feeling, you know. The excitement and the hesitation upon sitting down, thinking that the film you're about to watch is going to be great, yet there's this other film you've been dying to see, wondering when will you be able to see it. I have to admit that sadly, I did not experience that this year.
I have seen what-the fuck movies this past week. It is so upsetting and it got me thinking that though we're just watchers, we are also passionate about films and a film isn't just about you or the filmmaker. The whole point of it is to spread your message. I completely understand the attitude "It is what it is," but when it comes to movies, specifically, come on, put an effort to it. I mean, put an effort to make us understand it. That's what's lacking.
Anyway, films are films, I love the craft and I'm still grateful I was able to watch. Don't worry, I won't say or post anything like "do not watch this film" or some shit like that. This blog is on the down low, I even want to keep it more down low than it is, and I don't want drama.
Thank you again, Cinemalaya, for a week of unprecedented Filipino films. Until next year!
