CINEMALAYA
2013
by: Andrea Navarro
The Cinemalaya Philippine
Independent Film Festival and Competition is a film festival of the Philippines.
It is a key project of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. held annually in the
month of July, which was established since 2004 for the following purposes:
encourage the creation of new cinematic works by Filipino film makers with
fresh insights and artistic integrity; to promote Filipino Independent films
locally and internationally, and to establish a network for change,
communication, and cooperation among members of the independent film sector.
Luckily, I was able to
witness the opening ceremony for these years CINEMALAYA that was held last July
26 at Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). An entry of 10 new breed, 10
short films and 5 directors showcase. I was able to watched three films from
the Directors Showcase Category which is Sana Dati, Amor Y Muerte and Liars.
And one from new breed which is Babagwa.
“Sana Dati” is my first ever encounter of
independent film and I can truly say that it is pleasing. “Sana Dati” or wish
before is the
third part of Jerrold Tarog’s camera trilogy. It is a love story about a woman
whose wedding is thrown into confusion when a strange person arrives and
reminds her of the man she really loves. It is a bittersweet compromises and
real-life decisions.
Andrea
(Lovi Poe) meets Dennis (Paulo Avelino) on the afternoon of her wedding day.
Dennis was hired as the videographer to cover the entire occasion, from the
early preparations until the reception. He interviews andrea and her groom (TJ
Trinidad) for the wedding video’s additional snippets. As the hours of
preparations draw to close, Andrea remembers her past realizing that the young
man hired ro cover her special day brings back a former love.
Being the first ever independent film that
I’ve watched which I don’t regret but instead, I was eager to watch more indie
films. Honestly, when I saw the trailer of the film, I was confused for it
shows 1 girl and 3 other boys. Of course, my initial reaction as a viewer is
that the girl has three boys in her life at the same time. So I was not totally
convinced by it. But while watching the film, little by little I was drawn by
it. In fact, it’s just a simple film and a typical story that happens or is
happening for some people. But what are appealing is how the characters are
connected with each other, how the scenarios are being portrayed, and how they
throw to the viewers the message or the lesson of the film.
“Sana Dati” is not so much in flashy action but more in sensitive
conversations among the characters. Being the first ever indie film that I’ve
watched, Sana Dati is a very polished and successful film. The representation is
contemplative, humor is wanted and the tension is intolerable. It was all perfectly artistic from the camera
angles, colors and the lighting.
What I love the most is that the film takes place in the present during
the wedding day, but just before the ceremony begins. However, it would always
have flashback sequences that develop the entire plot of the film. It’s like an
unsolved puzzle at the first but as the film progress, the pieces starts
falling into places and you start seeing the bigger picture, everything would
eventually make sense. There may be times where the constant flashback can be a
bit disorienting and would leave the viewer lost. However, you will still find
your way back and appreciate the film.
Lovi Poe (Andrea) portrayed her role very well as confused women. TJ
Trinidad (Robert) is passionately committed in his compression. Benjamin Alves
(Andrew) was compellingly ideal in his memory. And Paulo Avelino (Dennis) was
consisted being a mysterious guy. One thing that set aside this film from
others is that the story didn’t need to have fighting scenes for the audience
to feel the pain of the characters. Rather, you could see their pain and
longing in the eyes.
Sana Dati creates convincing characters by creating
their stories and personalities and then making them go through a very real
that we can relate to. Also, the film does not use gimmicks nor expect the
audience to like the characters because they are played by a certain actor or
actress. it challenges the viewers to ask questions and holds our
interest from start to finish. And it certainly helps that the crystal-clear
cinematography is an enjoyment to the eyes and one could say it provides a
contrast to the intended blur that is the story’s theme. I could say that this
film is way different from mainstream films for its diversity and its
unpredictable ending. No, Im not asking that we should get rid of mainstream
films. But instead, it is for us to see the art behind indie films and what
mainstream film could possibly learn from it.
There’s
no doubt that this film wins the Best Film prize in Directors Showcase
category, Best sound (Roger TJ Tarog), Best original music score (Tarog), Jerold Tarog as best director, best
supporting actor for TJ Trinidad, best ng (Pats R. Ranyo), Best Production
Design (Ericson Navarro), Best cinematography (Mackie Galvez).
The second film that I’ve watched
after
Sana Dati is “Babagwa” by Jason
Laxaman
. It is a simple story about a group of swindle
people who’s using facebook as a way to victimize “wealthy” persons.
Marney needs to pull up his parents from a
house that is being threatened to be demolished by the local government. Greg, who
only has his afternoon tryst with his girlfriend that seems to be more
interested in a vacation that he couldn’t provide.
Alex Medina who played the
role as “Greg” pretends to be a rich model named Bam Bonifacio (Kiko Matos) whose sexual orientation depends on the
gender of the target victim. In order for him to
catch the attention of the person he will victimize, he will post shirtless
photos on his FB page and with his soft voice on the phone. Marney (Joey Paras)
is Greg’s partner-in-crime who’s being nasty when it comes to money. All is
well until one day, Greg strikes a friendship with Daisy who’s a lonely sexy
matron, and suddenly falls in love with her.
Alex Medina (Greg), plays his role quite
well, the confident was there and he portrayed his role as what the audience
was expecting although there were times when I hardly understood what he was
saying and I had to read the subtitles just to understand. On the other hand, However,
The role of Joey Paras (Marney) is not totally convincing being “gay” as the mastermind of anything connected to
lust, money and deception. Maybe because our society still regards
homosexuality as perverted and ugly. Which is for me, was not true. It
would have still worked if Joey Paras’s character was a straight man or a
woman. Thankfully, Joey Paras came to handle his role and never fail to
give punchlines to the viewers. Alma Conception (Daisy) surprised the crowd with her
cheesy romantic lines that drew the loudest applause during the film.
It
was fun watching Babagwa though it was not a glamorous film and polished after
watching “sana Dati” were all actors were fair-skinned and donning make up.
Babagwa presented its characters in the most stressful way which is a good way
to show that being in such situation is really traumatic. There were also a lot
of scenes that could be shortened or removed altogether particularly the sex
scenes. Although, I understand that some were presented to show the enthusiasm
of the main character.
I
felt that the ending scene was satisfactory and that the audience felt the
tension on what was going to happen. Maybe some already predicted the ending
and was just waiting for the way the director was going to show it on screen. But
still, it was a successful film for me and for the most people who watched
based on the spontaneous loud applause after the screening.
“Babagwa” is a very simple film from its
setting and has only few characters but then, the whole concept of Babagwa is probably one
of the more relatable ones in this year’s batch. While one does not need to do
fake profiles in order to relate to the film, it tackles the unveiling of one’s
identity in this time of social media obsession. It is a good way to show or for us to realize
on how social media could possibly affect/connect us like a spider web. We do
have different reasons on why we are being attached to social media. Some may
want to meet new friends, to air out their feelings or simply just to go after
the trend. But social media does not always bring out the best in us, but
rather, it provides us a new way for exploitation. This film makes us become
conscious on making new friends or simply meeting people from social networking
sites for it can leads us to trouble to the extent that we could fall for
someone who has a dreadful intention to us.
Lastly, “ Amor Y Muerte” by Cesar Minguez
Evangelista which is set in 16th century. “Amor Y Muerte” means love
and death. It is examination of the initial encounter between the indios
(natives) and their colonizers (Spaniards) and their contradicting views on
love, passion, religion and sexuality. The personas in the films represent the main players in early
Philippine History. We have the old Babaylan, the native non-chauvinist male,
the Spanish priest, the deceptively kind, naïve, but powerful abusive Spanish
General, the old datu and the free spirited young native woman.
During 16th century, somewhere in
the katagalugan region, Amor (Althea Vega), the daughter of one of Lakandula’s
distant relatives is married to Diego (Markki Stroem), a half Spanish general. Together
with Tia Soleded (Ama Quiambao), they live a very simple life in a small hut
with only a few neighbors. The couple makes love passionately every night, and
her scream of pleasure is capable of being heard throughout the town has led
the town priest to wonder how the native woman could have a strong libido. As
her husband is summoned to Manila to suppress a rebellion in intramuros, Amor
turns to the pagan snake charmer living by the waterfall and when his husband
comes back the start of the conflict arises.
Honesty, this is my least favorite among the
entries that I’ve watched to the fact that this one of the Director’s Showcase
category, It was just so disappointing. There are many reasons why I do not
like the film and probably most people who have watched it has the same basis.
There are like half a dozen sex scenes between Amor, Diego and Apitong. Though
people could freely watched indie films regardless of their age, still this is
not obviously a family movie which you could watch with kids, a obvious reference to the Spaniards thrust in trying
to penetrate themselves, their ideas, their religion and culture during the
colonial period.
However, what I commend
about “Amor Y Muerte” is the Redeeming factor of the film is its technical
achievements. The music adds more interst, and some shots were memorable,
although way too overdone. I also commend Althea Vega for she is really good in
here, capturing the conflicting character of her natural feelings and she
showed no signs of inhibition at all. So all in all, I’d say that “Amor Y
Muerte” strength lies in Vega’s performance and its technical achievements than
what it wants to say in its story.
Overall, being able to watch
some of the entry for Cinemalaya was a satisfactory. Each movie that I’ve
watched tells different story and depict different styles and techniques that definitely
catch my attention. They made me realize how wonderful Independent films are
and how it is different from mainstream films. Yes, Independent films are
different from mainstream films for its diversity and its unpredictable ending.
But I’m not asking that we should get rid of mainstream films. But instead, it
is for us to see the art behind indie films and what mainstream film could
possibly learn from it. I hope that they will keep doing this kind of films that gives
entertainment, appreciation and excitement to all moviegoers. Also, I hope that
Cinemalaya will spread not only in our country but in the whole world for
others to see how beautiful Filipino movies are and to appreciate the beauty of
art that’s behind indie films.
Bamboo Flowers is a film that focused on
family, a Maryo J trademark. The film was divided in three stories who at some
point in the film, met unexpectedly and unintentionally. The first story is
about a young boy, Omel, his Mom and his grandfather whom he calls Papang. He and his papang used to be a part of a dance troupe performing for tourists
in Bohol where the film was set. His mother, on the other hand, is a tourist
guide. When his Papang became ill,
Omel was forced to leave his family and work in the city to provide for his
family. While working on an appliance center in the city, he was discovered in
talent search which he won. Sadly, an unexpected event happened and changed his
life just before he won the TV search, Papang
died. Another story focused on the relationship of mother and son. After the
death of their family’s provider, Sandra and her son Eric had no choi
ce but to
move and live in the province leaving their lavish life in Manila. Eric hated
being in the province but still manages to make friends in the local kids in
the end. And lastly, we saw the challenges a young couple faces in their
relationship. Both Luis and Dolores are college undergraduates—Luis a Maritime
student and Dolores a tourism student. And when Luis failed his exams for the
nth time, he was forced to be back to his family and help father in farming and
his sister who was still depressed after his husband’s death. Dolores, on the
other hand, met an old foreigner during her internship in a resort. The
foreigner eventually falls in love with Dolores and offered her a job in either
Palawan or Boracay in exchange of marriage. Despite the offer that’ll change
her life, Dolores declined the offer and rather went to live with Luis in the
province.
Anyway, aside
from its main theme which is family, the film also focused on friendship, love,
and most importantly, hope. Eric and Bingo basically exhibited youth and
friendship, Luis and Dolores obviously expressed that love can beat all odds,
and Omel is an example of a persevering and determined guy. His growth from a
salesman to a new star displays hope. At first, I find it odd that all of the
three sub-stories involve death. It was only at the conclusion of the film when
my question was answered. Apparently, the term bamboo flowers is indeed a part of the bamboo plant that becomes
visible only when the plant was about to die. This explains why each story
tackles death. The film pointed out that in spite an unfortunate death of a
loved one, we have to learn to accept these changes and continue to move
forward in our lives. 
