The Ring

Our topic for the final project is Corruption with the styles and movements of Italian Neorealism, French Surrealism and Japanese Horror. It took us time to form a story that would make the viewers think, understand and realize that corruption lies behind every mask of a person. Each one of us shared different ideas on what story we should come up with. In the end, we were able to connect our thoughts and came up with a story that deconstructs the idea of corruption about being money and politics.

It was kind of frustrating to schedule our shoot because it was finals week back then and we still had tons of paper works to do. Good thing, we had no classes from Monday to Wednesday so we had our time to brainstorm and to start for the shoot.

Our first stop was in Quiapo, Manila. It was my first time to go there and it was a bit tiring because we had a long walk finding for the right mask and place that would perfectly fit in this project. The Quiapo aura was also a bit scary because people didn’t look friendly. On the other hand, there was also this guard who asked us to leave immediately while filming because he said we were loitering along the foot bridge. We didn’t argue with him anymore and left right away. Then, we went to Quaipo Bridge to film once again. We were so happy because there were a number of people who had a protest on that day which is a significant scene for the film.

Our second shoot day was on a Saturday around South of Metro. We went to Charis’ house to shoot our creepy scene there. Suddenly, the lights cooperated with us and started to “blink”. Honestly, I creeped out when the lights went that way but I was so amazed though because it would be useful to add some scary effects for the video. Meanwhile, we also went to Alabang Town Center to shoot there the whole afternoon. We were also a bit scared because someone might reprimand us for filming in the mall so we had to be extra careful and be a ninja.

In the end, what I actually learned from this project is that, this is what I truly wanted. Though it was honestly frustrating, I enjoyed every moment of it from brainstorming, shooting, up to editing. It has been a fun way of learning especially because I was doing this with my closest friends who made this experience less stressful than what I thought. This project serves as an eye opener for me; there are a lot of stories out there that remained to be untold and need to be heard. It made me realized to appreciate more of this course that I am taking, that through this field, you can tell story that can make a change. In the same way, I also learned to appreciate the people behind every camera. It was not easy job. Cooperation and teamwork are essential in a production. Making a film requires a lot of hard work and patience and at the same time, it requires a dedicated heart that will make it a beautiful and fruitful piece of art.

Here's the fruit of our hardwork. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgaHZxVvmkg&feature=youtu.be

They say a lot can happen in a couple of minutes and during the course of our shoot we were able to prove that. It was a completely tiring experience whether we were making our script, going to several locations to find the perfect venue, shooting amidst the bustling crowded streets or carrying our equipment at even the most dangerous of places. We find ourselves completely exhausted. Our time may not have been much, and every decision would later on become a crucial part of our video/shoot but I am proud to be able to work alongside such hardworking and equally dedicated teammates,without whom, I'd have most likely given up. It was a Rollercoaster of emotions, we would laugh and play around having fun at our set and the next we'd be frustrated and confused because something would ruin our plan and at the spot have to conceptualize in order to make up for what we have lost. But all in all we were able to finish our shoot, which we are all very proud of, had the time to bond even in our hectic schedule and with all honesty I had some doubt that we wouldn't be able to accomplish filming, but with my group mates with me, all of my doubts have been wiped away and I couldn't have it any other way.

Our video only lasted for 6 minutes but we were able to capture an important message that ultimately deconstructed the idea that corruption is all about money and politics. Corruption has many forms, whether it be born out of greed, envy or pride there is corruption all around us. All lurking behind a mask that may unexpectedly be in our very own midst.

With the events that have recently occurred in several countries, from Paris, to Lebanon, to Kenya and even the ongoing wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria our video ultimately implies that corruption is in the very mind of a person. It is not just about religion, wealth and property that cause war and terrorism in the world but it is the way we work for it that bear war. And although we all wish to attain a world of peace, truth and justice and that it may benefit every individual to live a life without poverty, this is the very reality we have. That what lies behind each person is a mask with their own motives. And the very world we so long for, is all just a dream and in the end we should wake up to the reality of our what our world is.

Corruption MV (202B)

It was a Saturday filled with fun and new learning. It was a great time watching different movies with your friends and at the same time learning different things which can actually affect us. These movies made me realized that there are a lot of unravelling stories out there that should be told to everyone. These stories may be different from each of our story, but these can perhaps help and enlighten us to the untold world we are living right now.

Source: https://theregularmoviegoer.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/ilo-ilo.jpg

One of the films screened on that day talks about family and the bond between a Filipina, Terry, who works as a nanny and a Singaporean child, Jia Le, who’s a brat. Ilo- Ilo is a story that is full of uncertainty but with love and affection. It was set during the Asian financial crisis back in 1997. Jia Le’s parents always put their attention to their work and money. His parents decided to hire Teresa (simply as Terry) to watch over Jia Le. She has a child back in her hometown but she decided to leave her son to work abroad to give him a better living of life. Jia Le learned how to obey Terry and in the end he shows and revealed his sweeter side towards his nanny. Terry shows how compassionate she is towards her job, not as a nanny but as a “mother” to Jia Le who’s in need of love and affection from his own parents. Teresa symbolizes the character of most Filipinos who are working abroad; one who can bear the sufferings and pain just to give their family a decent living back home. Jia Le’s family, on the other hand, shows that every family from all over the world can also have challenges in life, no matter what country you are living in. This simply shows that a family can get through a challenge when love and affection for each other will always be present in the relationship.

Correspondingly, Flor Contemplacion’s story is somewhat different from the story of Teresa. Flor was executed back in 1995 for allegedly killing a fellow domestic helper and the child she was taking care of. Terry, on the other hand, was treated like a family while working abroad.

Source: http://i.ytimg.com/vi/K8wQzA8WB2k/maxresdefault.jpg

Pinoy Transkings, on the other hand, is an eye opener for me. I did not know before that there are a lot of transmen in the Philippines. These people have different stories to be told, but because of our society, they remained to be untold. Their life may be full of lies; hiding the truths running through their veins These transmen are also looking for happiness which everyone is also dreaming of. And for them, being true to who they really are, is the key to their joy. I salute them for being brave enough to face this society and finding the truth that will bring much happiness within them. It is somehow inspiring especially for those people who disguise in real world. I just hope many people will open their minds on this issue and accept them for who they truly are. May this film be also an eye opener for most people… that male and female are not just the two sexes exist. I also hope that one day, society will gladly accept them.

Source: http://gunghofilmsmanila.ph/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/nawawala.jpg

Meanwhile, Ang Nawawala was the last film showed on that day. This film tells a story about family and the hipster lifestyle of the youth today. It was seen that the production design was vintage which was significant to the life of the characters. Gibson’s family were all dressed in retro in the film. This gave me a hint that their family was stuck in the past time; that they still can’t move on from the dark past that happened. Time somehow stopped after Gibson’s brother, Jaime, died in a tragic accident.

Overall, I enjoyed this Saturday movie marathon. It was a fun day with the class and at the same time, an educational weekend. It gave me awareness about certain things and new perspectives in life. I hope films like these will be much appreciated by many people because it teach different things that actually help and inspire us.

Who wouldn’t want to watch a movie with a half percent discount in price and at the same time a fun way of learning the history of our country? Heneral Luna may actually be what we need for us to understand the previous way of life. This movie is making noise from different people especially in the social media. History gives us another opportunity once again to look back and learn more from the past.

In the start of the film, it shows a Nipa Hut which is the Philippine national house, burning in fire. This is a symbol of our mother land who suffers in pain in hands of colonizers. There was also a bird soaring high in the blue sky which may also be a symbol of our land who’s in need of peace and freedom. The lighting in the beginning of the film is also kind of dim. Meanwhile, the camera work is excellent. I also noticed that they used bird’s eye angle in some of the scenes and camera panning used in the flashback. The color is grayish blue and sometimes yellowish.

In the scene where Luna tried to resign as a General, the background was white, indicating that he gives up his position. But when Emilio Aguinaldo comes out of the picture, the background turns into red. There was also a scene where Luna plays a guitar, facing the moon. Aguinaldo’s close up face was also seen. This indicates the tension rises between both of them. While playing the guitar, Luna’s mother knocked on his door. Luna sat down and closed his eyes and flashback began as his mother retold the story when he was still a child. I also noticed this woman dressed in retro style in the flashback scene wherein she sat down as the painter sketches her. This shows the painting of Antonio Luna’s brother, Juan Luna, The Parisian.

Meanwhile, there were some roofs of the house and the church which used galvanized iron sheets (yero) which are inappropriate knowing that this film was set in the late 1900’s.

On the other hand, in the scene where General Luna went to Aguinaldo’s office and instead Felipe Buencamino was there, the lighting was dim which may indicate something dark might happen. When Luna went out of the office, there were a number of presidential guards outside. Suddenly, the katipunero slashes Luna’s face using bolo which angered him. But then, the other katipuneros shot him using their guns many times leaving Luna helpless and weak. When he died, the picture turned into red which means bloody and justice. His killers dragged his dead body leaving a picture of the Spoliarium, a mise- en- scene, which also painted his brother, Juan. The people also wear black which symbolizes grief and sorrow.

The last scene was when Aguinaldo saying lies to the public saying he was not the mastermind of Luna’s killing. Aguinaldo and Buencamino sugarcoated themselves by telling the story in a 360 degree turn. The background for this scene was a Philippine flag in crumple that slowly burns in fire. In the beginning of the film, a Nipa hut burns while in the last part, our own Philippine flag burns. This means that we are still not free from all the pains and sufferings.

The movie tackles the themes that still haunt us in the present: betrayal and human rights violation. We are our worst enemies. Just like in this society we are living today, especially in the world of politics where public officials betray the Filipino people by means of stealing billions of money from the public that violates the rights of every people in this nation.

Overall, Heneral Luna helped us, millenials, to see world of the Philippine-American War. And perhaps, this film questions us and waits for us, the next heroes of this generation to take an action in this society where betrayal still exists. The unravelling truths from the past are the lessons that will help us in pursuing the dreams that Filipinos are still dreaming of – truth, peace and freedom.

Source: http://noeljose.com/entertainment/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/07/Heneral-Luna-Poster.jpg

Heneral Luna a film that bagged the social media; facebook and twitter. Directed by Jerrold Tarog who also directed Sana Dati shown in Cinemalaya last 2012 which, I’ve also seen, is one of the talented director this time. Heneral luna is fact based with a touch of fiction as the first few lines in the movie “history is a combination of real and imaginary”. It is a fact based history film helped the Filipino Cinema to be once again loved and appreciated by the market. I can say that this is appropriate today especially election is coming—people can think what’s the difference between being patriotic and those people who just love to be in power.

Antonio Luna is one of the ilustrados who had the chance to study in Europe, where liberalism idea was introduced. He also studied military tactics and eventually appointed as general. Truly, Luna is one the brilliant heroes of our country. During the late Spanish colony till American rule, Luna is one of the people who wanted to reclaim the freedom of the country. In the film there some foreshadowing happened prior to Luna’s death. First from the direct line of Aguinaldo regarding Bonifacio’s death “natatakot ako… na baka maulit muli”. Second, when Luna is playing the guitar at first it was in mellow tune, prospectively, there were hard and loud notes indicating danger. The cinematography is very well executed and the actors are veterans. The costumes and the characters were successfully established the era. The film is a history based but there is a very pinoy kick, some jokes and funny characters. Also in the film, the flag was seen at the first and last scene. A flag is a representation of a free and independent country, at the first scene when Luna was being interviewed the flag is clean and neat but at the last scene the flag was being burned and seemed to be stabbed with blood representing that the freedom, truth and independence is being stabbed and burned. The ‘Spolarium’ painted by Juan Luna was also seen in the film when Luna and his right hand soldier was being dragged by the opponents as seen in the painting.

Truly, history is the reflection of our country today. Some of the practices in government and politics are still seen nowadays. It is a reflection that there are people who are ready to kill their fellow Filipinos just to be in power. On the other hand, it is also an eye opener to a lot of Filipinos to be critical in what’s happening in the Philippine government and be aware of our history.

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The Ring

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Deep Focus: Behind the making of "Corruption" by Ofelyn Datuin

Balay Ni Mayang by Fatima Villar

Balay ni Mayang

Unforeseen Attachment by Meiji Cruz

Learning Through the Art of Films by Joyce Marayag

Heneral Luna: An Eye Opener by Joyce Marayag

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