Archive for August 2015

Home Archive for August 2015

Cinemalaya 2015: Broadening Horizons was really remarkable for me. Even though I used to attend Cinemalaya since 2012 it was only now that I appreciate films even more. I learned so much from the speakers of Cinemalaya Campus. It was a great opportunity to be part of a crowd that time even though mostly scholasticans are the audience; I hope next time more students and film enthusiast will be part of this congress. It was not an exhausting kind of absorbing information because you can feel from the speakers that they know their craft and there is a burning passion in them. I have some picks, though from the speakers. Mr. Ronald Baytan was very poetic in his film review and critique and it was very beautiful no wonder he mastered literature. I’ve seen how empowering words are. I also like Sir Patrick Campos. He’s very light. He spoke casually but the substance was there. I learned from him, in order to understand a film you should have a relation with it in the sense that how a film related to you in any perspective. My most favorite Mr. Nick from NETPAC unfortunately we don’t have so much time but his presentation was really good. I hope one time we have the chance to have him as a speaker because I know there are so much more to learn from him. The most important thing he left—for me, was the PASSION. Yes, I capitalized it because the way he talked was full of energy and dedication about his craft. It was like an open gate welcoming you in another dimension of life.

Philippine Independent Film Festival: Short Film entries. Shorts A.

Apasol by Ryanne MurciaAccording to its promotion tarpaulin, apasol means chasing sun. It was a farewell story of a gay relationship. First of all, the cinematography of this film was very beautiful! However there were scenes that I did not appreciate. We had the chance to ask some directors about their films. According to Murcia the film was trying to convey the feeling of a day that you don’t want to enf because you are with the one you love but for me he did not successfully conveyed the message that he wanted. The idea was there but the way he executed was not clear. There were ambiguous reactions by the actors that led to wrong interpretations of the film. Another thing, is the script especially the opening lines I cannot relate the story that was mentioned with the whole plot. Also, I noticed the panning of camera contributed to the ambiguity of the film. The use of dialect also was not well executed particularly by El, there were words that sounded straight Tagalog, familiarity of the language used is a plus point like K’na The Dreamweaver (intertextuality). Moreover, I observed that Murcia have very good ideas he just need to have a lot of exposure and for sure he’ll get it.

Gatilyo ng Baril by Glenmark Doromal & Eero Francisco

It was about the assassination of Ninoy Aquino. As I interpreted it, the girl was the representation of Ninoy. And she’s investigating about Marcos’s incident. Her eagerness to know the truth was intense by the tone of her voice. She asked few questions to the witness. When I was watching the film there was an expectation that the investigator will get killed because of the facial reactions of the interviewee and the lack of enthusiasm to answer the questions given. Though I did not like the way the actress acted. She has a monotone dialogue and for me, if you are an investigator asking questions you should have a different approach to the witness in a soft manner probably for you to get answers. The use of effect is also appropriate to help the audience to have idea about the setting and time of the story.

Sanctissima by Kenneth Dagatan J

Marisa is living in a dark and sinful life. Women who do not want to continue their pregnancy are coming to her. She’s performing abortion for several years already but there is another reason why she’s doing that—for her child. To the extent she killed someone for his child’s satisfaction.

My favorite and bet for best short film but unfortunately did not won but the film got the audience choice award. I like the direction; it was a very clean and well-executed piece, it seemed that the director was not a first-timer. I like story as well, though it was a thriller genre, I like the idea of a mother and child. The only thing I’ve noticed in the film was, it showed that Marisa was raped by a demon 20yrs ago but a child looked like 15yrs old. I think it should have information-presentation sensitivity to show consistency. Nevertheless, I like the film! I also like the director. The actors were fit to their roles. The use of lights and shadow was appropriate and other technicalities.

Kyel by Arvin Belarmino.

Okay, I’ll be honest. I did not get this film. Anyone? Anyhow, what I like was this film gave me a fluctuating feelings and false hope meaning the film was effective. I’ve read the short description about the story before watching it so I expected I could see it in the film; he could be redeemed from using drugs. On the contrary, he wasn’t.

Nenok by Milo Tolentino.

At the very beginning I was aware that the director of Nenok is also the director of Andong and Andong was a very nice short film. So I expected a little higher in this film. It was a story of a child living alone who always steals pandesal from Mang Johnny a parish groundskeeper. Later on, Manong Johnny found out that this child is already orphan missing maternal guidance. When he learned about that, his heart softens and this time around he’s the one deliberately giving pandesal to the child. In the end, they found what they are looking for in each other company.

For me, the approach of the film was like mainstream. The essence of filmmaking was lacking; use of images and cinematography. I can say it was more of movie than a film. It was a funny movie, though. The story line was light and it caters the audience. The cuteness of a child can never be defeated.

Shorts B:

Lisyun Qng Geografia by Petersen Vargas

A story of two high school best friends named Tib and Tric. They are like brothers and they are always together. A natural phenomenon happened in an extraordinary situation-- Tric falls in love with Tib. As they are both males, feelings cannot be entertained. Tric tries his luck he gave a map with places they have been and pictures taken. Hurtfully,Tib ended their friendship upon confirming the revelation. As the time goes by, Tib found the map and he traced every place, memories were coming back as if they are still happening. High school memories and friendship that even time cannot vanish. As he’s tracing the map, he ended up in his old school, a spot where both of them always hang out. He found himself smoking with the voice of someone he’s very familiar with.

The film was very nice. For me, the factor that helped to uplift the film more was the music. It was really affective! The story plot was so beautiful; they loved each other but in different way. The rising action was also shown. Presenting of the setting was clear. The actors were good. The use of dialect is commendable, how the lines delivered was very natural. Bravo! No wonder it won one of the awards.

Wawa by Angelie Macalanda

Different people has the different way of living—how to cope and how to grief. Wawa is a story of a boy who grief for the loss of his father. He did not cry for this loss but the deep hole in his heart is reflected on his face. As his family take his father to his last journey. His grief is like a wawa (river); sometimes calm sometimes turbulent.

At first, I didn’t get this film I am thinking the topic is more than the grief but it was really about grief. The film was full of images and less dialogue. The cinematography was beautiful and the plot was very natural. This film won Jury prize and NETPAC award. This is what filmmaking means.

Mater by Annemikami Pablo

A mother who is overly devoted to her faith to the point she’s not living anymore in the reality. She has a daughter who spends her time reading, listening to music and smoking. The daughter knows that there is something wrong with her mother but didn’t have the courage to talk about it. Due to lack of attention, she turned to drugs and found herself dancing with her mother’s beloved religious statue and the dark escape happened.

In my interpretation, in the end of the film she killed her child, as she can’t take what her daughter has done. For me, this film is dark in the sense that it’s like awakening the demons inside you. On the other hand, it showed that we should keep our faith but also keep in mind that we should also live in the reality. There was a scene she was praying so hard but I didn’t understand why it seemed to be a different dialect, anyhow in this scene, she was praying over the electric bill. It was a perfect example of Filipino saying, ‘nasa tao ang gawa nasa Diyos ang awa’ Living in the real world is hard but living in a mere devotion will not supply you goodness but a false faith. Also there are many aspect of this film that can be tackled about, many symbolisms are shown. The effects in the film contribute ambiguity for me; is she really has daughter? Are the two characters representing as one? There are a lot of aspects and I think I can answer that if I can watch the film again. A film is like a book; you need to re-read to fully understand it. First, enjoy it and second, read like a critic.

Pusong Bato by Martika Escobar

A former actress is trying to relive her fame. Day by day she’s making herself up to conceal the frustrations she’s keeping inside. Every day she’s watching her old film to feel alive again. One day, an earthquake came and suddenly there was a heart-shaped rock that has fallen. Something ignites her and later on she treat this rock as a person, as her partner to the point she had sexual intercourse with it. And there is a true, as in legit man who is trying to court her but she always reject him until one moment, the guy found Cinta as a rock.

This film was very creative. It’s like a symbolism within a symbolism. I like the ending part when the guy found Cinta as a rock because possibly in the very beginning Cinta was really a rock made by the guy and he’s the one living with his idolization and fascination about the former actress. The camera techniques are creative as well and the presentation of setting. The actors were also fit to their roles. Music is also a big help to establish the time and addends emotions to the scene. Well done!

Papetir by Darwin Novicio

A story of a puppeteer with a wounded heart. As he tries to make the crowd laugh the place reminded him of an event of his life that he did not want to remember anymore. As the performance going, his scar re-opened the story went deeper and deeper. And he cannot control it anymore.

Best screenplay. The actor was good and the script was commendable. It was a nice film that will make you wonder until when it will take? Will it take furthermore? How deep that scar is? Can he cope from this?

This year's Cinemalaya featured 10 short films by young and outstanding film makers. Despite the news that only ten short films and some international independent films were to be featured this year, this did not hinder to pique the interest of people who have long been looking forward to watch Cinemalaya every year or first timers discovering the Philippine's most well-known independent film festival. Fortunate enough, I got the opportunity to watch both Short A and B and generally saying, they are films that are worth the time to watch.

Through the Cinemalaya Campus 2015’s forum themed: Paano Manood ng Pelikula? it helped in somehow what are films and what are movies. Movies are for the people while film is for the soul. Film is art while movies are products. Those are just some of the difference between film and movies. These short films truly lived to their category as films. Through the medium of the camera and modern technology, the young filmmakers of this year’s Cinemalaya made the most of their artistry and creativity with the help of their production team evident in their works. May it be just an amazing idea that just lighted up their lightbulbs or something personal and close to their hearts, they have executed their goal with the best that they can do.

The first movie in the Shorts A category is entitled Apasol which was about two male lovers who wanted to have and endless day in fear of saying goodbye. It showed how from their wish to be together for a long time, bounded by the magic or hope that their love would be as strong as the wishing tree of other lovers, and their fear to be lost from each other’s arms. Ryanne Murcia, the director and actor in the movie, showed the feeling of the warm afternoon that both lovers were making the most of together by photographic sceneries of the sunset and coast. The boat that speeds from one side to another that El keeps on looking at his own seems to symbolize his departure from the place that he and Mark have shared. The last shot wherein a silhouette of both of them were sitting by the tree, looking at the sunset, watching a boat pass by showed how Mark and El seem to finally accept that the departure was inevitable just as the sun sets ending another day. Ryanne Murcia showed simple and realistic scenes between a farewell of lovers yet he film’s message pulls the heartstrings of many.

Gatilyo ng Baril was the shortest film in this category. It tells about the investigation of Ms. Estrella about the case of Carlito Dimahilig who attempted to end Imelda Marcos. The film was color graded in monochrome which highlighted the period when the investigation was done. A man who knew the suspect narrates the last moments he had seen Dimahilig. The lighting showed the suspense and serious feel that reflects the dark times of after Martial Law. Since the film is only composed of shots between Ms. Estrella and the witness and some stock footage during those times, the film’s story was not that appreciated because the background knowledge of some audiences about the assassination attempt on Imelda Marcos is not greatly known.

Kenneth Dagatan’s Sanctissima was one of the best yet intriguingly disturbing short films in this year’s Cinemalaya. Its story revolves around the everyday life of Marisa who aborts children for a living and the dark secret that she's keeping after getting rid of the unborn children. The scenes showed such an eerie feeling and showed realistic bloody and quite morbid scenes. Even though for some it is hard to watch such scenes, the way each scene is composed: from the set, framing, cinematography, and acting of the actors, overall it is a film that shows great artistry. Sanctissima possesses great production design that should be given recognition for.

The short film Kyel was a short film that is quite hard to understand. Majority of the film shows a man who seems to be dealing with issues that are unclear whether it was of heartache or other problems. Despite the story itself unclear maybe because of untrained eyes or lack of understanding the artistic way of Arvin Belarmino in making his film, the feeling that he wants to convey in the film is no doubt spot on. Belarmino highlights the subject through a centered lighting of the man therefore leaving the rest of the room dark and only giving hints that he is inside his small home. The loneliness of the man relevantly showed through his lack of house necessities. Only a couch where he sits majority of the film and some highlights of other basic home necessities. He talks to Rona asking different things: from saying how he loves Rona to just blatantly cursing the other person on the line. The man does what he think would let him forget about his troubles from smoking drugs to even inhaling a crushed katol which is normally used as a mosquito repellent. The ending gives an even more confusing thought to what really is going on for the man who was thought of as Kyel was actually the a different man. Even though the acting and lighting was good, this film is just confusing leading to many theories of what the director wants to say. Like a piece of art, there are pieces that needs to be explained.

Milo Tolentino, who also directed Andong, created once again a warm short film entitled Nenok. Here he shows his style of being comical and shots that seem to follow the lead as if the audience walk with him. Once again uses a child actor as a lead which is actually a heartwarming end to the Shorts A category. Nenok is an orphaned child that sleeps in the compound of the Barasoain Church. He just wanders off around the church like it is his playround and a playful “catch me if you can” with the groundskeeper of the parish, Mang Johnny. No lines were really thrown by the actors but their acting is enough to see the comic, heart aching and heart-warming moments of the little boy. Tolentino’s use of speech bubbles in letting the audience know what the statues or figures at the church feel as mischievous Nenok goes around the church makes the film look warm and comical which seems to reflect how the audience also feel.

The Shorts B category as opened by the film Lisyun Qng Geografia (Geography Lessons) which is a personal favorite. Petersen Vargas features in his 20 minute film the friendship of the two once closest friends Tib and Tric. As Tib stumbles upon an old map, he walks down the memory lane of his past friendship with his closest friend. Tib reminisces at the places and things they have done remembering once again the bittersweet memories. The flashbacks of their younger self make the film more relatable because everyone would have that person they have lost. Vargas features his mother tongue which makes helps in saying that there is more to the Filipino language other than Tagalog: like it says to return to where you came from. The shots in the film look like it came from a professional photography collection book with shots dramatizing the scene. The way the actors are framed and the simple gestures which seem to speak louder than words itself makes Petersen Vargas’ Lisyun Qng Geografia a film to be a watched by Filipino millennials.

Angelie Mae Macalanda’s Wawa shows the stages that people undergo when they encounter with a loss of someone. The setting where it was taken is noticeably challenging since they have to shoot at a river bank and the mountains. The shots were generally good, specially were they establish the area, although some let to a bit of confusion as to wear to focus when it came to scenes with people in them. The factors showed good emotions showing the loss that they feel. Sadly, the editing of the ending was confusing because it seemed to be out of place and seem to belong in the middle.

Mater was one curiously intriguing short films. A silent film featuring a mother and daughter, the no dialogue seems to add to the constraint of their relationship. As a mother devotes herself to her religion, she has abandoned her love for her daughter therefore leading to the self-destruction of the daughter by her resulting to vices. It showed good cinematography and symbolisms like the space between the mother and daughter at the living room. As the daughter sits on the left side, the mother walks to the far right towards her altar making a quick prayer before leaving the house without even acknowledging her daughter. The snake at the bottom part of the frame seems to signify the evil that slowly creeps in the heart of the daughter leading to destruction.

Love knows no boundaries. This is what Pusong Bato by Martika Ramire Escobar sends through her film. Cinta Dela Cruz, a faded actress from the 70’s, gets hit by a heart-shaped rock during an earthquake. From then on she slowly grows an attraction to the rock. The heart-shaped rock seems to signify more than just what it is. It seems that it is her love as a movie actress that she can never seem to let go because her home is filled with VHS tapes of the old days. The script is witty and entertaining and the amazing acting Mailes Kanapi adds to the wholeness of the film. This film's lighting and production design was also spot on.

Despite it shortness in length, in 5 minutes and 44 seconds, Darwin Novicio surely delivered an impact in his film Papetir. In just a short span of time, he was able to tell the story of a ventriloquist who performs in a children's party but then is being haunted by his past through his puppet. The conflict within him between his life and his work clashes during his performance slowly eating him up because of his guilty conscience. Novicio's casting a real ventriloquist, Ruther Urquia, adds to the authenticity of the film in showing the life on a ventriloquist. The film's realistic portrayal and shots gives off that what the audience see is not some fictional story but reality.

Approaching on how to truly watch a film or movie has gone from simply watching to attentively seeing every element each film possesses. Such elements add meaning to the message of the director or writer. But also, one must know to be critical for there are also some things that are not meant to be put meaning to by the director but the audience beg to differ according to their interpretation. Through years of enhancing such lessons, one could grow to a more critical and appreciative audience of film. As the theme of this year's Cinemalaya goes: "Broadening Horizons", let each see further what only meets the eye but see deeper to the elements of film itself from culture, to feeling, and beyond.

(Photo Credits: Some photos are taken from Nicole Macarandang.)

One of the most awaited events by many people in the film industry here in the Philippines is Cinemalaya. Cinemalaya is an annual film festival wherein it aims to promote independent films here in the country proudly produced by Filipino film makers. Now on its 11th year, Cinemalaya officially opened once again to show how talented Filipino film makers are. Furthermore, Cinemalaya also organized a campus forum on film reading called “Paano Manood ng Pelikula?” which was opened to everyone.

In line with this, I am very happy to be able to attend these events. I went to Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) together with my friends to witness another experience that will help us as Mass Communication students. Last Tuesday, was our first day in the campus forum. This day was really informative. We watched five short films and they presented speakers for each film to critique them. There is an art behind watching a film and that is film reading. Before, once I watched a movie, my initial reaction would be, “It was good!”, “The actors and actresses were so great”. In short, it is purely for entertainment. But after this session, I learned that reading a film is a difficult thing. A viewer must watch the film critically in order to think beyond their feelings. One of the speakers also explained that there are different approaches in reading films. These are essay, newspaper review, political and Marxist approach. I didn’t know these. Luckily, Mr. Mario Hernando gave us another learning that will surely help us in doing film analysis. He took “Andong”, who won best short film back in 2010, as an example of Marxism approach, Capitalism V.S. Socialism. I also liked Ms. Anne Frances Sangil and Mr. Ronald Baytan reviews on the short films, “Walang Katapusang Kuwarto”, “The Houseband’s Wife” and “Bonsai”. They were able to explain of what those films truly mean and their messages to the viewers.

Furthermore, our second day in the campus forum was the same as the first day – full of learnings. On this day, we were able to once again watch another film called “Jane’s Wedding”. Mr. Miguel Rapatan had a different kind of explanation compared to the other speakers. He allowed us to watch the film once again but this time scene by scene to explain it very well to us. On the other hand, our next speakers were from a worldwide organization called NETPAC or Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinemas. One of the speakers was Mr. Nick De Ocampo who also had a talk in school before. This time, he explained the different ways of reading a film- textual and contextual. I liked how he explained this although time was not enough to furthermore expand this.

Finally, my favourite part of this forum would be Direk Jose Javier Reyes’s part. I’ve waited for this moment to see and hear the words from this one and only director. I was really happy to see him in person because I’ve seen some of his films and he’s truly one of the most respected directors in the film industry. He started his talk by clearly stating the difference between films and movies. Films, as he said, are creations made by directors as an artist meant to be savoured. Movies, on the other hand, are the products of studios made to be sold. This personally enlightened me because before I thought movies and films are both the same but they have a huge difference. He also allowed us to watch two silent films which we appreciated. One of the things I liked about what he told us was that, “You make films because you wanted to say something”. There are a lot of people out there saying that directors are making films because they’re money making but what they truly want is spread their message to the viewers. There’s a message behind every film. They use film as their creative way of expressing their sense of thought. In the end, “It’s not about the money, it’s about the fulfilment”. The discussion with Direk Reyes further got interesting as the audience ask different questions and answers them with full delight and joy. Sadly, time wasn’t enough again this time. But this one hour talk with him means a lot to me. He taught me that if you’re really passionate for your work, result is happiness. Even if you’re 60 years of age like him, you’ll feel like you’re only 16 because of this passion in you.

In the meantime, it was about time to watch the ten short films in competition. I can see the thrill and excitement once again in the people’s eyes. For Shorts A, first film screened was Apasol (Chasing Sun). The cinematography of this film was good. I appreciate the fact that the director was also the actor of this film. At first, I actually didn’t understand the film. But as the director explained the story, I understand and admired it. It was about love between lovers, Mark and El, who spent their last day together. The director used metaphors to describe the film in a deeper way.

Next, we had Gatilyo ng Baril. This film was about the attempt killing of Imelda Marcos. Ms. Estrella investigates the killer Carlito Dimahilig. The film used a black and white cinematography to show the eerie dark past of the country.

Sanctissima, on the other hand, is a horror like film wherein it tells a story of Marisa, an abortionist, who lives in a dark secret. It was an intense short film. Every fetus she aborts, she gave this to a mysterious person in her house whose body is covered with blood and was chained in the room. In the end, it was all about the undying mother’s love for her child. No matter what the child is like or whoever he or she is, s/he will always be her child and that she will do everything for him or her.

Kyel is about a man who uses drugs in his room. The black room symbolizes that this man has a dark side. It also tells he is all alone and problematic in life. He used a coil as his new form of drug and tried to eat it. He was poisoned but then he lives again. In the end, he was killed by a man named Kyel.

Last film for Shorts A was Nenok. Nenok is a kid who temporarily lives in the Barasoain Church. He was naughty but has a genuine thoughtfulness. The setting has a lively appearance in connection to Nenok’s happy character. The cinematography was also good. It has funny dialogue boxes that made the audience laugh. For me, it was entitled “Nenok” because Nenok himself always tries to get things that aren’t owned by him. Behind his cheerful character, Nenok is also sad in life- he doesn’t have any friend; only an imaginary one and the religious statues. This film shows that cheerfulness is a defense mechanism that deals with the problems in life.

For Shorts B, the first film was Lisyun Qng Geografia. This film is about the friendship between Tric and Tib who started developing feelings for each other. Tib tries to find Tric as he found an old map. The flashbacks suggest that first love never dies. The film also has a great cinematography and good background music.

Wawa is about a young boy who laid his father to final rest. The characters in this film are all in black clothes symbolizing the grief. There was a scene wherein the child has a background of waterfalls which also represent the sorrow and agony. Though it doesn’t have much dialogue, it clearly conveys the distress of the character. The movements of the character show the emotional shade of the film.

Mater, on the other hand, is about a mother and daughter relationship and extreme religious devotion. The characters also don’t have much dialogue. They’re stuck in their routines, praying, eating, and outburst of anger.

Pusong Bato is about a woman, Cinta, who fell in love with a stone. This film is really unusual. But as the director said, there are some people in real life who fall in love with objects. The cinematography was also good. I also liked how flashbacks were used in this film.

Papetir was the last short film for Shorts B. The cinematography of this film was good. This was about a ventriloquist who was in a children’s party doing his job. Upon performing, he suddenly reminded of his son who drowned and uses his puppet to portray his grief. The audience continues to laugh as he talks to himself.

Overall, the experience was definitely informative and fun. It was my first time to attend Cinemalaya and I can say that they allowed me to admire and respect Filipino independent films and film makers. I learned a lot of new information which will surely help me develop my skills. Truly, Cinemalaya brought up a new perspective in me which broadened my horizon as a student.

Understanding the Beloved Art that is Film

By: Mary Ofelyn Datuin

They say learning can come from all sorts of places, and all sorts of people, and all sorts of things. Learning does not just come from books and words our teachers tell us for everyone is a teacher and everything can be taught from anything. You can name many things and all can teach us something in their own little way. But as of late I have come to appreciate a new form of learning, one driven by emotion and understanding, technicality and simplicity and above all passion beyond one’s being. Several days before, my mind was opened to something not completely new, and yet completely different from the way I used to understand what it is to be a film critic and what it means to be one.

The Cinemalaya Campus has taught me not just one but more than what I could have imagined. I would like to believe that what I have learned in the forum I was able to take part in was more than what I could ever learn in a year’s worth of studying inside the school walls. As we watched several films and studied the very small details the directors used and visualized, broke down and digested their works piece by piece, I have come to realize the various messages the film was trying to tell us. In Andoy, it wasn’t merely about a little boy trying to get his mother to buy a ticket for a chance, which most probably isn’t much, to win a colored TV rather, the little details have told me about the social issues of our country; poverty, respect for our elders, the government’s attempt selling tickets for their barangay. The critics and reviewers translated every scene to something deeper than what a regular person would try to understand. There would always be movie-goers who would watch movies for entertainment and yet there are still people who would question every little detail they can in order to fully understand the messages they could interpret from films. I myself have watched a number of films, most of which I have enjoyed in their production, story and characters and giving my opinion on the technical aspect have made me believe that I understood what it is to be a film critic but how utterly wrong could I be? There is more to film critiquing than what meets the eye, literally. It’s not all about what you see as the film goes through its length, but it is about what you’re supposed to see and what you are supposed to understand besides its initial and obvious point. Look beyond that; delve into the very meaning of the film’s conception. Why was it made? What is it trying to tell me? How does this affect me as a viewer and as a citizen of this country? I have learned to question everything there is in a film, and what I can attain learning from it and what I will be able to do once I have finally understood it. There is so much more to understanding a film and so much more it can teach me in just a span of minutes that can and will affect me in my whole life.

The forum was beyond what I expected in learning what is film and what is film critiquing. I may not be a professional when it comes to reviewing or critiquing films but as I watched the following films right after the forum had ended, I tried to put what I understood to the test. I was able to watch ten Cinemalaya short films and try to understand them based off of what I was able to learn.

Apasol (Chasing Sun) was a film I’d like to admit, I did not quite understand until the director, Ryanne Murcia told us what he was trying to show. I was only able to appreciate it once he had translated into words the meaning of the film, about a moment in time wherein you’d like for it to not end. I understood it completely because I have personally had those moments myself. As much as I would like to make a review about it, I feel unworthy of doing so because I had not realize its meaning until I was told.

On the other hand, Gatilyo ng Baril by Glenmark Doromal and Eero Francisco was a film I was looking forward to watching. The film was indeed about the investigation of Carlito Dimahilig’s attempt to kill the present First Lady at the time, Imelda Marcos. The unexpected turn of events had caught me tapping my feet for more, although the discussion itself was not as engaging as I thought it would be, and the acting I’m sorry to say was not as clean as well. There was a monotonous tone that was predictable as Ms. Estrella spoke that made me unsatisfied with their delivery. But the surprise at the end was the part that made me want to know more. A cliff-hanger was a very nice end at the same time not so because I sat there gaping hoping there would be more rolling in after the credits. Was that scene a true story? I do not know but it is satisfying to believe so.

As much as I gaped throughout the credits of the previous film, watching Sanctissima by Kenneth Dagatan was a film I could not even finish. I was not fazed by the character Marisa being an abortionist, what I was daunted by was the fact that –spoiler alert – she fed the fetuses to her son. I am unable to completely review or give much insight for this film because as I type I am already gagging recalling the events throughout the film. Besides the shocking events that took place I did enjoy the eeriness of it making me shiver more than I’d like to. I would also like to express my appreciation for it being a film that is very memorable, unfortunately not in a good way. All I can say watching the film is that I was nearly in tears, quivering in fear and even now, I am waiting for my grandmother to tell me that she is an abortionist whenever we leave the house and feeds the unborn children to a monster above our wooden floorboards.

Kyel by Arvin Belarmino was the film that got me to recognize the impeccable acting the protagonist did. You can see his malnourishment brought by the addiction he was in and was evident of his abuse. I do not remember much of the film besides its shocking end that I very much enjoyed because who knew? Who knew he was being sought after by a bounty hunter? The very memorable note of this film is the acting. I don’t know how much more I can emphasize that enough? His acting was flawless. Period, literally. One question remains as I end this very short review and that is: who is Rona?

Lisyun qng Geographia by Petersen Vargas was my favorite film of them all. I appreciated the personal aspect of the film that is not only for the director but is also something anyone of us can relate to. And although he admitted that he did the film in order for him to have closure for himself, I appreciated that he was able to achieve that when I myself was not able to do so. I loved how personal the film was especially since it was a telling of a retelling of the character who did the wrong. I also loved how they were able to face each other, not literally of course but still being physically present at the same place they shared together. I loved the end, that of all the films I found it had an actual closure but at the same time not, because I still am unsure of what would happened once they finish their cigarette. There are so many things there is still left to say on why it is that I fell in love with this film; the cinematography, the soundtrack that tied the film together, the great effect of the outside characters that were hardly present throughout the film and so much more. This was indeed the film that tugged me by the heart and took me on an emotional journey with them.

And last but certainly not the least, Pusong Bato by Martika Ramirez Escobar was the film I enjoyed in terms of entertainment, humor and above all its uniqueness of translating what love is. A woman reminiscing her golden days as a star in a movie of the same title and falls in love with literally a heart-shaped rock. It was enjoyable as we go back to watching an old film within a film, and watch as we see her in love with an unlikely object to the point that she makes love to it. The film was filled with humor, it was light, not too deep but talks of something completely different and surprising to the eyes of the norm. Objectophilia , choosing a rock over a man, confessing to a priest, the priest believing her and goes along with her sentiments, the very surprising end not in a way of ‘I didn’t see that coming’ bot more of ‘how is that even possible?’ The film was quirky and sweet and incredibly enjoyable to watch. I applaud the unique concept and the memorable mark it has left on everyone who was able to watch such an incredible film.

There is so much film can teach us but it can make us feel so much more. Film has by far given me a completely new view on what it is wrong and what is right, what it is and what it could be and what more there is to see than what meets our very eyes. I have come to realize that there is so much that the mainstream cinema is missing out on and what more there is to expect from independent films and in my experience I am here, begging and wanting for more.

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