Cinemalaya 2012 Report
[Note: The previous post had been deleted. This is a new post.]
This is the first year when I have actively patronized the Cinemalaya Film Festival. For almost a week, I stayed in CCP to catch all the movies in competition, including all the short films.
Cinemalaya 2012 features 10 films in the New Breed category, five films in Director's Showcase, and 10 short films.
As of this moment, I have seen all of them except two: Paul Sta. Ana's Oros (New Breed) and Raymond Red's Kamera Obskura (Director's Showcase).
Of the movies I've seen, I liked The Animals, Aparisyon, Ang Nawawala, Posas, and Kalayaan.
What I learnt about this film's festival is to never assume what movie is good, and what is not. The movies I thought will reap awards failed, while those I thought were just filler were actually good (most notable was REquieme!).
Below are the details of what I though of each film. They are listed in order of viewing.
NEW BREED
1. Ang Nawawala (Marie Jamora) - I made it to the gala screening of this charming movie about isolation and youth. The music is impressive, and I want a soundtrack. Dominic Roco and Annika Dolonius should get nominated for their performances. Dawn Zulueta is a strong contender for best supporting actress. There was this POV change in the middle of the movie (sauna scene) that I thought was too drastic. (4.5/5) [Read my PEP review]
2. Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino (Lemuel Lorca) - I expected this movie to be one of the impressive ones, but my expectations were not met due to the weak storytelling, and only passable performances from the supporting actors. JM de Guzman was great, though. There are many things happening outside the movie that are just mentioned in passing, and there are unnecessary graphic sex scenes. (2/5)
3. Diablo (Mes de Guzman) - I admired the symbolism of good and evil in this film, but I think it's a little confusing. Good cinematography. A little scary what with shadowy figures, weird radio programs, and unexpected tremors. Ama Quiambao should be nominated for best actress. (3/5)
4. Mga Dayo (Julius Sotomayor Cena) - It is admirable for showing a fresh treatment of OFW stories, this time without the overused drama of foreigners abusing Filipinos. Instead, what this film shows is how Filipinos interact with each other in a foreign country. Good performance from Sue Prado. (4/5)
5. Sta. Nina (Emmanuel Palo) - Interesting premise, but the direction it took is less than likable. There seems to be a teledrama treatment, complete with many characters, changes of POV, and overbearing music. Story meanders. (2.5/5)
6. Aparisyon (Vincent Sandoval) - Very strong treatment of a story set during martial law. Tension is treated well, and there is one scene that made me jump out of my seat (this never happens to me, really). All four lead actresses--Jodi Sta. Maria, Mylene Dizon, Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, and Racquel Villavicencio--are contenders for the best actress plum. (5/5) [Read my PEP review]
7. Ang Katiwala (Aloy Adlawan) - Feels like the movie is divided by two halves that are hard to put together. On one hand, it is an inspiring movie about a man learning about Manuel Quezon's life. Then there is a story about squatters and death. The film tries to put these two together through an exposition of Quezon's teachings about the Philippines, but the widely-different treatment between the two is glaring. Good action scenes, and beautiful shots. (3/5)
8. REquieme! (Loy Arcenas) - I first thought this movie was filler, but it was really interesting. There are some standout funny scenes, and we get great performances from Shamaine Buencamino and Anthony Falcon. You feel that there is some stretching done to the plot though. (4/5)
9. The Animals (Gino Santos) - An eye-opener. Gritty, horrifying, affecting. I cannot stop thinking about this movie hours after I left the theater. It made me want to take action, to convince the affluent youth to avoid excesses. Should be required viewing for the youth. (5/5)
10. Oros (Paul Sta. Ana) - The theme feels tired. Do we need another poverty porn movie? Great performances from the two Kristoffers save this movie. Who knew Kapuso actor Kristoffer Martin can act? (3.5/5)
DIRECTOR'S SHOWCASE
1. Mga Mumunting Lihim (Jose Javier Reyes) - Hilarious scenes made me like this movie. Where else can you see top actresses use curse words and dirty fingers? Still very much ranks below Jose Javier Reyes's perfect Live Show, though. Could that film be his peak? (3.5/5) [Read my PEP review]
2. Kalayaan (Adolfo B. Alix, Jr.) - Great film about loneliness and isolation. The decision to use long takes is genius, as it makes the viewer feel the lead character's boredom. This films has the most gorgeous shots in the festival. Some of my friends did not get it, but it's expected. The unclear relationship between the mermaid's sexual advances and the lead character's psyche still confuses me too. (4.5/5)
3. Bwakaw (Jun Lana) - Has some of the festival's funniest moments. But funny does not a good film make, since there are humorous scenes that affected the plot's serious theme (the distorted face of a corpse is one of these). There are a lot of themes here that should have been explored more to make the story richer, like the miraculous statue and his relationship with his co-workers in the postal office (more particularly, with Alan Paule). (3/5)
4. Posas (Lawrence Fajardo) - This movie made me understand why Fajardo's Amok is always mentioned in a positive light. The movie has a serious theme about corruption in the police force, but this is not presented in an in-your-face manner. Great performances from Art Acuna and Nico Antonio. Art Acuna is scary, and Nico's best scene was when he was forced to kill. I just wish Nico lost his too-perfect abs. Do starved pickpockets who live in the street have abs? The shot of the mission/vision of the police is also too hard-sell. (4.5/5)
5. Kamera Obskura (Raymond Red) - Interesting premise but deathly boring. Needs more weirdness to ramp up interest. Flying bikes and camera-welding hands are not enough. (3/5)
SHORT FILMS
1. As He Sleeps (Sheron Dayoc) - I feel like the short format is not enough to tell the whole story. (3/5)
2. Balintuna (Emmanuel Escalona Jr.) - All gimmick, not much substance. Kids cannot act. (1/5)
3. Bohe: Sons of the Waves (Nadjoua Bansil) - Promising start, but it devolved into bad cinematography and bad acting. (.5/5)
4. Pasahero (Max Celada) - Hilarious and uncomfortable. The ending feels like a gimmick, though. (4/5)
5. Victor (Jarrell Serencio) - I appreciate the new treatment of the story, when it showed what happens after the faux crucifixion. Some parts feel badly scripted. (2.5/5)
6. Ang Paghihintay sa Bulong (Sigfrid Bernardo) - Tried not to laugh because the subject matter is so serious, but I cannot help it. Tight storytelling and great performances from its actors. Shocking beginning, so kudos for Bella Martin, who played the dying grandmother. (5/5)
7. Manenaya (Richard Legaspi) - Sad and affecting, in beautiful black-and-white. Takes some hard thinking to get what the story is about. (4/5)
8. Ruweda (Hannah Espia) - Great great editing. Actors seem to be amateurs though. (4.5/5)
9. Sarong Aldaw (Marianito Dio Jr.) - What saved this is the beautiful poetry. Cinematography needs improvement. (4/5)
10. Ulian (Chuck Gutierrez) - Feels too long, because nothing much happens. Poor production values. (1/5)
Stay tuned for my predictions on who would win the awards.
This is the first year when I have actively patronized the Cinemalaya Film Festival. For almost a week, I stayed in CCP to catch all the movies in competition, including all the short films.
Cinemalaya 2012 features 10 films in the New Breed category, five films in Director's Showcase, and 10 short films.
As of this moment, I have seen all of them
Of the movies I've seen, I liked The Animals, Aparisyon, Ang Nawawala, Posas, and Kalayaan.
What I learnt about this film's festival is to never assume what movie is good, and what is not. The movies I thought will reap awards failed, while those I thought were just filler were actually good (most notable was REquieme!).
Below are the details of what I though of each film. They are listed in order of viewing.
NEW BREED
1. Ang Nawawala (Marie Jamora) - I made it to the gala screening of this charming movie about isolation and youth. The music is impressive, and I want a soundtrack. Dominic Roco and Annika Dolonius should get nominated for their performances. Dawn Zulueta is a strong contender for best supporting actress. There was this POV change in the middle of the movie (sauna scene) that I thought was too drastic. (4.5/5) [Read my PEP review]
2. Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino (Lemuel Lorca) - I expected this movie to be one of the impressive ones, but my expectations were not met due to the weak storytelling, and only passable performances from the supporting actors. JM de Guzman was great, though. There are many things happening outside the movie that are just mentioned in passing, and there are unnecessary graphic sex scenes. (2/5)
3. Diablo (Mes de Guzman) - I admired the symbolism of good and evil in this film, but I think it's a little confusing. Good cinematography. A little scary what with shadowy figures, weird radio programs, and unexpected tremors. Ama Quiambao should be nominated for best actress. (3/5)
4. Mga Dayo (Julius Sotomayor Cena) - It is admirable for showing a fresh treatment of OFW stories, this time without the overused drama of foreigners abusing Filipinos. Instead, what this film shows is how Filipinos interact with each other in a foreign country. Good performance from Sue Prado. (4/5)
5. Sta. Nina (Emmanuel Palo) - Interesting premise, but the direction it took is less than likable. There seems to be a teledrama treatment, complete with many characters, changes of POV, and overbearing music. Story meanders. (2.5/5)
6. Aparisyon (Vincent Sandoval) - Very strong treatment of a story set during martial law. Tension is treated well, and there is one scene that made me jump out of my seat (this never happens to me, really). All four lead actresses--Jodi Sta. Maria, Mylene Dizon, Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, and Racquel Villavicencio--are contenders for the best actress plum. (5/5) [Read my PEP review]
7. Ang Katiwala (Aloy Adlawan) - Feels like the movie is divided by two halves that are hard to put together. On one hand, it is an inspiring movie about a man learning about Manuel Quezon's life. Then there is a story about squatters and death. The film tries to put these two together through an exposition of Quezon's teachings about the Philippines, but the widely-different treatment between the two is glaring. Good action scenes, and beautiful shots. (3/5)
8. REquieme! (Loy Arcenas) - I first thought this movie was filler, but it was really interesting. There are some standout funny scenes, and we get great performances from Shamaine Buencamino and Anthony Falcon. You feel that there is some stretching done to the plot though. (4/5)
9. The Animals (Gino Santos) - An eye-opener. Gritty, horrifying, affecting. I cannot stop thinking about this movie hours after I left the theater. It made me want to take action, to convince the affluent youth to avoid excesses. Should be required viewing for the youth. (5/5)
10. Oros (Paul Sta. Ana) - The theme feels tired. Do we need another poverty porn movie? Great performances from the two Kristoffers save this movie. Who knew Kapuso actor Kristoffer Martin can act? (3.5/5)
DIRECTOR'S SHOWCASE
1. Mga Mumunting Lihim (Jose Javier Reyes) - Hilarious scenes made me like this movie. Where else can you see top actresses use curse words and dirty fingers? Still very much ranks below Jose Javier Reyes's perfect Live Show, though. Could that film be his peak? (3.5/5) [Read my PEP review]
2. Kalayaan (Adolfo B. Alix, Jr.) - Great film about loneliness and isolation. The decision to use long takes is genius, as it makes the viewer feel the lead character's boredom. This films has the most gorgeous shots in the festival. Some of my friends did not get it, but it's expected. The unclear relationship between the mermaid's sexual advances and the lead character's psyche still confuses me too. (4.5/5)
3. Bwakaw (Jun Lana) - Has some of the festival's funniest moments. But funny does not a good film make, since there are humorous scenes that affected the plot's serious theme (the distorted face of a corpse is one of these). There are a lot of themes here that should have been explored more to make the story richer, like the miraculous statue and his relationship with his co-workers in the postal office (more particularly, with Alan Paule). (3/5)
4. Posas (Lawrence Fajardo) - This movie made me understand why Fajardo's Amok is always mentioned in a positive light. The movie has a serious theme about corruption in the police force, but this is not presented in an in-your-face manner. Great performances from Art Acuna and Nico Antonio. Art Acuna is scary, and Nico's best scene was when he was forced to kill. I just wish Nico lost his too-perfect abs. Do starved pickpockets who live in the street have abs? The shot of the mission/vision of the police is also too hard-sell. (4.5/5)
5. Kamera Obskura (Raymond Red) - Interesting premise but deathly boring. Needs more weirdness to ramp up interest. Flying bikes and camera-welding hands are not enough. (3/5)
SHORT FILMS
1. As He Sleeps (Sheron Dayoc) - I feel like the short format is not enough to tell the whole story. (3/5)
2. Balintuna (Emmanuel Escalona Jr.) - All gimmick, not much substance. Kids cannot act. (1/5)
3. Bohe: Sons of the Waves (Nadjoua Bansil) - Promising start, but it devolved into bad cinematography and bad acting. (.5/5)
4. Pasahero (Max Celada) - Hilarious and uncomfortable. The ending feels like a gimmick, though. (4/5)
5. Victor (Jarrell Serencio) - I appreciate the new treatment of the story, when it showed what happens after the faux crucifixion. Some parts feel badly scripted. (2.5/5)
6. Ang Paghihintay sa Bulong (Sigfrid Bernardo) - Tried not to laugh because the subject matter is so serious, but I cannot help it. Tight storytelling and great performances from its actors. Shocking beginning, so kudos for Bella Martin, who played the dying grandmother. (5/5)
7. Manenaya (Richard Legaspi) - Sad and affecting, in beautiful black-and-white. Takes some hard thinking to get what the story is about. (4/5)
8. Ruweda (Hannah Espia) - Great great editing. Actors seem to be amateurs though. (4.5/5)
9. Sarong Aldaw (Marianito Dio Jr.) - What saved this is the beautiful poetry. Cinematography needs improvement. (4/5)
10. Ulian (Chuck Gutierrez) - Feels too long, because nothing much happens. Poor production values. (1/5)
Stay tuned for my predictions on who would win the awards.
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