DEATH OF TRADITIONAL CINEMA

“Area,” the new film by Louie Ignacio attacks the subject of prostitution on a systemic perspective, via the parallelism of the multi-generational family which operates a brothel, and the dysfunctional relationship among the sex workers living under one roof.  Of course, prostitution has always been an offshoot of poverty, yet “Area” narrowly but cleverly avoids the route of poverty porn through the use of humor. Despite the depressing condition of its characters, “Area” finds the silver lining in the mundane. The sex workers are allowed to laugh at their misfortunes through sarcasm and irony, providing them a momentary escape from reality.  Much of why the film excels as a poignant realist drama is due to Robby Tantingco’s solidly-written script, working from a story by Ferdinand Lapuz. The characters are all distinct from one another, and each of their personal journeys are exciting to follow. Ai-Ai delas Alas, acting in her second indie film plays Hillary, ...

(English title: "Strands of Gray") * Official entry, full-length feature category, 12th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival Filipinos are known for close family ties, which is why most of our elderly are being cared for by relatives instead of strangers, unlike in other countries where old age means automatic hospice care. In "Hiblang Abo," Ralston Jover's big screen adaptation of Rene Villanueva's play of the same name, four aging men are living together in a hospice called Bahay ni Juan. What cruel circumstances that brought these men together under one roof is part of the story's mystery, yet as with most morality pieces, it still boils down to choice. In Jover's film, we get to witness the daily routine of former writer Huse (Lou Veloso), ex-union leader Blas (Leo Rialp), former farmer Sotero (Jun Urbano) and former vagrant Pedro (Nanding Josef). Despite their seeming friendship and the peacefulness of their sanctuary, these men...

* English title: "Crossing" * Official entry, 1st ToFarm Film Festival 2016 "Paglipay" (Crossing) is a rarity in Philippine cinema. Although a love story, the film firmly plants its roots on traditional values, and the clash between tradition and modern culture is both humorous and heartbreaking. The decision to cast real-life Aetas Garry Cabalic and Joan Dela Cruz validates the film's intentions for authenticity. In "Paglipay," a young Aeta named Atan (Cabalic) is arranged to be married to fellow Aeta Ani (Dela Cruz). Despite belonging in the same tribe, they may not necessarily "love" one another. Yet before the marriage can proceed, Atan is required to pay a "bandi," or dowry to Ani's parents. As such, Atan peddles root crops to the lowlands and plows fields to earn money. Atan's undisturbed world is shaken with the arrival of Rain (Anna Luna), a city girl pursuing her thesis about the inter-marriages...

* Official entry, 1st ToFarm Film Festival 2016 The thing about Dennis Marasigan is he knows how to differentiate theater from film. The dialogue in "Free Range," his new advocacy film about free range farming is always compelling. The characters mostly talk about the mundane, especially during the first act, yet the scenes are never boring. The acting invites you to be a part of the conversation.  Unlike Marasigan's last film "Anatomiya ng Korupsyon" (Anatomy of Corruption) which heavily borrowed elements from theater (and rightfully so, since it was based on a play), "Free Range" is entirely cinematic. Al Linsangan III captures the beauty of Coron, Palawan in stunning drone coverage, among others, coupled with Nor Domingo's intimate shots that places the viewer in the middle of conversations. Meanwhile, lead actor Paolo O'Hara delivers admirable restraint in portraying Chito, the son of a lodge owner and influential local busine...

*Official entry, 2016 World Premieres Film Festival, Main Competition "Daughters of the Three Tailed Banner" is the first of filmmaker Teng Mangansakan's two-part tale of the Bangsamoro struggle. Albeit brief and could use more exploration of its characters, the film is not short on symbolic elements, embedded within the arcs of its rich storytelling.  It is important to note that the film is told entirely from the perspective of women, and while Mangansakan navigates femininity in modern age, he also tells it in the paradigm of a land deeply steeped in tradition, where women are not always free to make their own life choices. Philippine society has always been patriarchal, and the family of Tonina (Haidie Singkad) knows this very well. After the death of her brother, Tonina's family is suddenly without a male member, and this presents a great deal of pressure for her and her sister to find suitable husbands. At first, Tonina seems to be a victim of r...

"The Angry Birds Movie" is a film that obviously took careful planning and execution. Sure, it just primarily aims to elicit laughs and provide pure escapism, but at its core is a well-constructed world inhabited by lovable characters, each with their own unique characteristics. Fans of the mobile game will delight in how much the film's second half captures the joy and nostalgia of destroying buildings and blowing up pigs. When the birds begin flying into the pigs' buildings to recover the stolen eggs, everything is endless joy. The film bears resemblance with the Aesop fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," with Red (Jason Sudeikis) as the boy, or rather, the bird. Red is a troublemaker; he gets angry real quick, and; most of the other characters hate his follies. But Red is a sympathetic character. Despite being hugely known as a never-do-well, he is also an outcast and a loner. His house is planted outside the community. But what Red lacks in charm...

Photo from Ned's Project FB page. * Official entry, CINEFILIPINO FILM FESTIVAL 2016 “Ned’s Project” is a film that explores the pursuit of happiness. Henedina De Asis, or Ned (Angeli Bayani) is a lesbian tattoo artist who seems content with her life. She has a girlfriend, a paying job and a circle of friends in her own small world. A lot of her time though is devoted to Max (Lui Manansala), a bedridden elderly lesbian who also functions as Ned’s confidante. Despite having a lesbian character in the lead, “Ned’s Project” veers away from the common clichés of queer cinema by portraying the protagonist, Ned as an ordinary person, capable of making mistakes, and for that alone, the film is worth your time. Ned is given a clear goal, which is to find happiness. When clearly her girlfriend Gladys (Dionne Monsanto) isn’t the answer, Ned breaks down. She fears for her own mortality.  So she decides to become a mother, but sex with a man is out of the question. Yet th...