The Ring

From words unspoken, feelings kept, stories untold to secrets revealed, feelings unveiled, stories made known. From a simple entertainment to a certain something that can impose change to the world. All of these sudden transitions were made possible through a medium called art. These powerful little thing is always and will always be used in several aspects such as escape from reality, expression of oneself, entertainment, and such. And these aspects can be applied on a variety of forms of art like writing, drawing, painting, photography, and many more. But there is this specific kind of art that embodies/ possesses its various forms such as photography, narrative, and stage acting, and it is known as the Film.

Film is not only a simple piece of art but also an instrument for revolutionary change in our society as it expresses the ideas and feelings of human beings. Film is only a pretext and if my memory serves me right, the real text is the one that matters and it can be found outside the theatre. During the earlier times, which is also known as the first cinema, films were only created to entertain and its audiences were passive. On the other hand, the artist’s freedom of expression increased during the second cinema. However, the third cinema proposes change. Hence, the reason why it is called as a cinema of change since its intent is to make its viewers active and take action against social issues and not just become mere consumers. But of course, not all films are great art. Or should I say, not all films makes sense. Neither of the two, what I wanted to say here is that, films are not always that great or creative and others does not even make sense. Some are just made for the sake of money, popularity, and what more. But how you will know if the film makes sense or not? How will you know the message that the film is trying to tell us? Well, that is why we study how to read films and have film reviews and film criticisms.

Have you ever experienced watching a movie or a film and you were like, “what the hell is that all about?” “Ghad, can’t believe I wasted time watching this crap!” “Wait. Whuut? Huh?” Do not worry. I understand you. The feeling is kind of mutual.  Well, just in case it happens, you seriously need to have a moviecation (movie education). Lol. Just kidding. But seriously, you need to leave all your baggage, your biases, stereotypes, and everything that you think will hinder you from studying/analysing films. You need to be open minded enough to learn more and be able to understand what the art is trying to convey. The ability of being able to read films is really important for media literacy. If you know how to read films, it will be easy for you to know whether there is something more behind those exchanging of lines of the actors. Because, when you read film, you do not just focus on the narrative but also to the elements on the scene. What I am trying to explain here is what we call film criticism. Film criticism is a depth reading of a film. It allows the reader to look at the film in a different manner or perspective like feminism, Marxism, and many more. The way you choose your lens sometimes depends on what do you think is the approach that best suits the film. On the other hand, we have film reviews. This is way too much different on film criticism. Unlike film criticism, film reviews are more on a journalistic side. It tells you or encourages you whether to watch that movie or not. And usually, on the very first day of screening, film reviews are already available.

In application to the short film entries in Cinemalaya that we watch this year, so far, I was still, somehow, able to understand the films because of the Cinemalaya Campus: “How to watch a Film?” and its expert film reviewers and guest speakers. It was actually a really big help to us that we have a background on how to read and analyse films in a deeper sense.  We were taught how to be observant enough to notice the basic stuff like, the colours used, the names of the characters, the mis-en-scene, the different approaches, the metaphors, and many more. To apply the concepts that were imparted to us by the speakers, I made a brief and concise film criticism/ film review about the short films that we watched.

Apasol (Chasing Sun). The cinematography was excellent and nice. However, I do not understand the first part of the film when El suddenly got mad to his partner. I do not know and I am not sure if that scene actually makes sense. But I noticed the dreamcatcher actually kind of signifies El’s going to somewhere to pursue his dream. Anyway, I think the story is cliché. There are no plot twist at all. The same sex relationship thing that the director used, for me, is not even effective. I mean, there are already a lot of films using same sex as their lovers.

Gatilyo ng Baril. I have this feeling that I will enjoy this film better if only I have this basic knowledge about the assassination of Benigno Aquino Sr. But overall, I do enjoy this movie despite the lack of background as to what it is all about.  Despite my ignorance about the topic of this film, I have observed that the guy that was interviewed looked at the recorder before he answered the first question of the interrogator. It just shows that he is being observant and does not want the information to spread out. However, I was still left hanging as to why he killed the lady (I have this feeling that it is because of the information that he said).

Sanctissima. Irony. The irony of this story is really nice! The cinematography, mis-en-scene, and other elements are nicely done, like the production design. But I do not get the part where the abortionist pours blood on the bell. Well, let’s jump to the end part, my most favourite part. The line that was said by the abortionist, “if only you tried to be a mom, you will understand me” (yes, I know that these are not the exact words) then she killed the lady who was her client, is really heartbreaking. See the irony? After all this days, it is not her choice to be an abortionist. She is just doing it for her child. Then the part where the woman she killed said “anak ng demonyo”, she was actually talking in her head saying “di mo alam magkaroon ng anak ng demonyo” (again, these are not the exact lines, but the idea is still there). I mean, I see the abortionist as a woman who had unwanted pregnancy but still pursued it. I think my idea was supported when she was talking to herself in a mirror saying, “wag kang magalala, di ko itatakwil/ pababayaan ang anak mo”.  And if you will notice the scenes where the child was shown, only a little part of him/her was shown (if you will recall, the child was not shown completely), I think it is the process of abortion. Like, hands first, the legs, you know what I mean?

Kyel. I personally do not get the idea of this film. But I have this hunch that the guy that was killed is a criminal or a wanted person. And to be honest, I thought that kyel was the one who is on the poster. It actually shocked me when it was the one who killed the person that I thought was kyel. But there is a part that I kind of understand. It is the part when he keeps on saying that it is not yet his time and that there are no clocks in hell. It gave me an idea that he is actually going to die or something bad will happen to him. And I guess that, the first part of the film was just his subconscious or conscience talking to him. I do not know, I am not sure. I am still confused by this film.

Nenok- I actually already got the idea as to why it is entitled “Nenok” during the first part of the film where he stole coins to buy coffee and stole food from the street sweeper of the church. The word ‘Nenok’ is actually a balbal which means ‘nangunguha or nakaw’. And I noticed that he was still wearing the same clothes the next day. And this gave me to a conclusion that he is ulila and homeless. This was supported by the scene where he went to the cemetery to clean her mother’s grave and brought flowers that he got from the statue of Mama Mary. The child paid her mom a visit because he saw that her mom is carrying witted flowers. And until then he still ‘nenok’ the used candle and placed it on his mother’s grave. And for additional background, the director of this short film was also the director of ‘Andong’. If you will notice, the director have this signature theme that uses kids, specifically, street kids. Because, of course, kids are crowd pleasers. But then again, it is the context that matters.

Lisyun qng Geografia (Geography Lessons). I love this film. It reminds me of Geyluv by Honorio Bartolome De Dios. However, it is the total opposite of Geyluv. The guy with glasses broke the friendship that he had with his friend, just for a reason that there are rumors that they are lovers or gay. See the stereotypes? The way homosexuals were being treated way back then (I assumed that this story happened a long time ago because of the music player used J)? If you are soft and caring or too close or attached to a guy friend, they will label you as gay. And if you are a gay, you are most likely to be avoided.  Good thing, most people nowadays, accept homosexuality. Thanks to the power of art and literature!

Wawa. A simple story about the grieving process of a person. The title even shows double meaning. Wawa is a river/dam. And it is shown that in the end, the child went there and silently grieved. For me, this is really a great story despite the fact that it is a silent film. No lines at all. I believe that its intention is to show or focus on the emotions felt by the child. Like when he was drowned. Of course, when you lost someone you love, it feel like you are drowning, gasping for air.

Mater. Mater is actually a latin word for mother. And to be honest, just like kyel, I was left confused by this film. However, I noticed some things that I know, deep inside of me is really relevant. It is just that, I do not know its meaning. Like, the serpent and the veil, and the mom looking at herself in the mirror and praying in a weird manner as if she’s just blabbering.

Pusong Bato (Stone Heart). I actually find this film entertaining and funny. But of course behind this funny film lies a deep meaning. This film shows the love for material things that is beyond human connection, like what this film is all about. It shows a woman who falls in love with a rock and I think that the rock symbolizes fame. Because the protagonist is trying to regain her lost popularity by watching her movies over and over again, and if I am not mistaken, she actually have a movie entitled, pusong bato. And the last part where the man who has a crush on her saw her as a rock, I think it establishes the distance between them or in general the human connection. Or maybe it shows his love for popular people like, you know, some people idolize some actors.

Papetir (Puppeteer). The shortest of all short films this year. It have this very simple story line that shows that these entertainers also have their own struggles. But despite of this fact, they are still doing their jobs and makes everyone happy.

The criticism that I made might not be accepted or viewed by others in the same manner that I did, but it does not matter. It just actually proves that we have different perspective on things. And the way we choose the lens that we use, sometimes defines us as a person. And for me, that is actually the beauty of an art, or in this case, the film. It shows different ways or understanding of a person and it makes you think critical. What matters the most is, we are not just mere consumers and we know for a fact that, there is still something that we need to do after analysing or critiquing films. I might sound as if I am trying hard to sound like a pro, but seriously, there is a still a lot of things that I wanted to know and to learn about film as an art and the different lenses that can be used on reading films. Fortunately, we have a Film Appreciation class! Yay!

To wrap things up, film is created not only to entertain or to express feelings but also to propose change. The only way to appreciate a film more than you do now, is to practice critical thinking. This kind of art conveys meaning that are not directly stated or shown. But you should also remember, that there are films that do not have subliminal meanings. However, despite of that matter, we still sometimes come up with different interpretations even though in the eyes of others, it is just a simple doodle that is meaningless. An abstract that seems to be boring or weird or a piece of crap. Film as an art, for me, is an abstract. Difficult to understand. Sometimes we tend to think that it is pointless, sometimes we think it is great. But there is one thing that I am sure of. It attracts our eyes. Makes us think (and that is actually a good thing, it practices our critical thinking skills!). Makes us wonder. Makes us do an act.