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 16^th 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 16^th 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.