DEATH OF TRADITIONAL CINEMA

Jerrold Tarog's "Bliss" is a maddening satire of the local entertainment industry, told in a surreal, nonlinear fashion. In this world, characters are outrageously crazy, one way or another, with Tarog never one to shy away from pushing the boundaries of genre cinema.  Iza Calzado plays Jane Ciego, a famous actress who succumbs to an accident while filming her self-produced movie, a prestige picture being eyed for international recognition. As the character Jane recovers from the accident, we bear witness as she is sucked dry by her husband (TJ Trinidad), co-star (Ian Veneracion), director (Audie Gemora) and even her own mother (Shamaine Buencamino). But what could have been just a straightforward depiction of the ruthlessness of show business transforms into a psychological labyrinth, as Jane struggles to escape her demons. Tarog employs surrealism to portray Jane's consciousness, or subconscious, if you will, creating layer after layer of bizarre instances....