Film Appreciation: The Ring: Cinesthesia's Aftermath

Synesthesia

|sin-uhs-thee-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh|

1 : a perceptual condition of mixed sensations

It is that time of the year again where all the creative brains in the film making industry gather up to feed their passion for independent film making. It is the time of the year where people come together to celebrate "Malayang Pelikulang Pilipino." It is the time of the year where films out of the norms and convention breed and merge into a Film festival called "Cinemalaya." Yes, Cinemalaya is back on its 9th year with bolder and more promising films by equally-promising directors like Jerrold Tarog, Gil M. Portes, Hannah Espia, Eduardo Roy Jr., and a lot more. This year's Cinemalaya offers racy to suspenseful films, thought-provoking to picaresque ones.

Posters from New Breed, Director's Showcase & Short feature categories

I have always loved watching films ever since. I love the concept of telling a story through all these visual elements. I love how movies capture our emotions and feelings precisely through the way an actor acts in a scene. But one thing I realized about Cinemalaya is that I haven't really expanded my film choices and preferences. Back then, I would usually watch films under the category of either cliché or mainstream regardless of how the film was made or how the story was carefully told through visual elements. Cinemalaya opened my eyes to a new world of films different from what I was used to seeing. It made me realize that there are a lot of wonderful things out there in the film-making industry that I have yet to see. I felt like I was so confined and trapped to what is conventional that I have forgotten that film is all about telling a story at the most unexpected and boundless way. For me, Cinemalaya felt like stepping outside my comfort zone. Cinemalaya is a lot like my two greatest passion, photography and travelling. It is somehow like photography because of the excitement brought by the uncertainty of the films you will see. You will never really know what to expect when you watch independent films. Also, it is like travelling. Cinemalaya feels like going to some bizarre, different place you have never been to. It may sound overly dramatic to some but as a first timer, Cinemalaya has that much effect on me.

So let's look back at my very first Cinemalaya experience, shall we?

Opening Night

Cinemalaya Cinesthesia!

On the day of July 26th, I cannot hold my excitement any longer. I was thrilled to see this year's entries and meet all the talented filmmakers behind such brilliant creations. My group and I came a little bit early for the event so we had more time to roam around and check out different exhibits. There were a lot of artworks displayed everywhere inside CCP which I will also share later on this blog post. It was quite a disappointment to know that it's my first time to go to CCP because it is one of the few infrastructures in our country that holds so much beauty and history. As more people gather together to witness the opening of Cinemalaya, the anticipation also builds up. A lot of people started to fill the halls. A bunch of celebrities also attended the opening night like Laurice Guillen, Ina Feleo, Mara Lopez and Maria Isabel Lopez.

Look at all the people excited for the opening!

We were greeted by such an astounding performance from Ballet Philippines

When the program started, the entries and the filmmakers were introduced and asked to occupy the benches in front for a photo opportunity. I was so astonished to see how young the filmmakers were from the Short features category. Everyone seemed to be in a state of shock when they bowed down at the audience. I felt a rush of inspiration and admiration when they made their way through the hall. It is one of my biggest dreams to become a filmmaker and just by seeing how young these directors are, I immediately felt a sense of hope on a dream I thought was unattainable. I kept telling myself that one day, I will be in front of this big crowd with my head high being applauded at because of the film I made. Someday, a crowd as big as this or even bigger will be watching my story. Someday, I will sit beside our country’s best filmmakers and say to myself, “Wow, I did it.”

The filmmakers from New Breed, Director's showcase and Short features category

After introducing the entries and directors, we immediately proceeded to the opening film: Jazz in Love by Babyruth Villarama-Gutierrez. We decided to sit on the 4th floor because there were less queue. We later realized that it was a big mistake to sit there. I immediately panicked as I enter Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo because it was too high and unbelievably steep. I wanted to go down on the 3rd floor but I realized it was too late to do so because the director made her way to the stage and did a little speech. I just tried to ignore the fact that I am seated in a much elevated place than I usually do whenever I watch movies and enjoyed the rest of the documentary.

With Darah, Wynona & Popen

Last photograph before Jazz in Love starts :)

First film:

Jazz in Love by Babyruth Villarama-Gutierrez

Rating: ★★★☆☆

(Photo not mine)

Jazz in Love is a documentary film about Jazz Tigaldao, a gay Pinoy, who is very much in love with his German boyfriend, Theodor Rutkowski. Because of his love for him, he takes the qualifying language exam so that he can go to Germany and marry Theodor. Before they get married, Theodor goes to the Philippines and visit Jazz. As the story unfolds, Jazz falls even deeper in love with Theodor. But at some point, Theodor becomes too overwhelmed by the realities he faced in the Philippines which in the end, broke Jazz’s heart.

Jazz in Love started out as a journey of two lovers who battled the realities and odds that come along their relationship. Jazz, an optimistic believer of happy endings, did everything he can in order to have a happy ending with Theodor. Theodor, on the other hand did the same. They both fought hard for acceptance in a society that does not openly welcome same-sex relationships. But in the end, they both accepted their fate that sometimes, happily-ever-afters do not really happen all the time.

Babyruth Villarama created a love story that does not only capture what is always romantic and beautiful in a love story. She was able to show the other side in every story – the heartbreaking part. Though it was an imperfect romance full of prejudices and boundaries, Villarama made it so painfully beautiful. At first, I thought it was just another gay love story where the lovers fight until the end to get their happy ending. But I later realized that even though people try hard enough to make things work, at some point in time, something will always fall apart if it is not meant to be. The good thing about Jazz in Love is even though they did not end up the way they wanted to be, they remained connected with each other through the cyber world. The internet really does make the world a little bit closer.

Also, I do admire Jazz’s personality. Though everything in his plan failed, he never ceased to hope for better tomorrows. He did not give up on his dream of having a happy-ever-after with the love of his life. After the film, I went home wishing that I had the same hopeful feeling Jazz has about life. But when so many things have fallen apart in your life, it just becomes so hard to keep that hopeful feeling going. Jazz in Love gave me a take away lesson that just because some things don’t work out the way we want them to does not mean we have to give up on life.

Second Day

Friends. Good friends.

The following day, we headed to CCP to watch Sana Dati, Amor Y Muerte and Babagwa. I was even more excited to see more Cinemalaya films. Though the rain poured hard and we were a bit late that day, it did not make my day any less terrible. I knew a great day was ahead of me.

First Film:

Sana dati by Jerrold Tarog

Rating: ★★★★★

(Photo not mine)

Sana Dati is a modern-day love story about Andrea who is about to marry Robert, a man she barely knows. On the day of her wedding, she realized that she cannot really get away from her past after a mysterious man arrives and reminds her of someone she loved dearly.

I have no words for this film of Jerrold Tarog except how exceptional it was. First, the casting was perfect. Lovi Poe made Andrea come to life. It is as if she was Andrea in real life. No one could have done it better than Lovi Poe. Her impulsiveness made her even more beautiful. Her acting was also commendable. I feel every pain she felt as if I was a part of the film. Benjamin Alves was also exceptional. Every scene he was in was such a pain to see, yet you don’t want to miss a single scene because it was all too exciting. TJ Trinidad fitted very well for his character. In every love triangle, there will always be a guy we all loathe. But in Sana Dati, it was just hard to see someone like TJ Trinidad lose. His undying love and patience for Lovi Poe made it harder for the audience to figure out where to stand in this unconventional and different love triangle. Paulo Avelino, as always was amazing. Sana Dati would not be as exceptional as it was if it were not for Paulo Avelino’s character.

Second, the cinematography was flawless. The movie was full of symbols that left the audience wondering and figuring out what the movie really means. Andrea's shoes is my favorite symbol used in the film. I didn't know a single object can bring out so many emotions as much as an actor can. Though the film is quite confusing at first, jumping from one flashback to another, its haziness just adds to the mysteriousness of the film which I am fond of. The music used especially Indak by Up Dharma Down is also a reason why this movie deserves all the awards it received. Kudos to Jerrold Tarog for a very well-thought-of film!

Second Film:

Amor Y Muerte by Cesar M. Evangelista

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

(Photo not mine)

Amor Y Muerte (Love & Death) is a story of conflicting views of native Filipinos and their colonizers, Spaniards about love, religion and death. Set in the 16th century, Amor Y Muerte centers on the erotic love story between Amor and Diego and how their contradicting beliefs will end their marriage and life.

I was quite disappointed with Amor Y Muerte not only because it was not the kind of movie I would normally see, but also the whole story did not have that much effect on me. First, though the script was entertaining and humorous, it didn't have that much sense in it. Second, according to the synopsis provided, it is a story of the views of Filipinos about love and passion; so is the story implying that Filipinas during the 16th century are nothing more than sex toys whose mere purpose of existence is to feed the sexual desires of men? In the film, Amor is a woman who is easily aroused just by the sight of men. She is always expected to say yes to sex because that is the sole purpose of women back then. I do not like how the director portrayed Amor as a woman always hungry for sex. Third, the casting was quite mediocre. Although I gave an additional star for this film because of Althea Vega and veteran actress, Ama Quiambao. I'd tried to remove all the sex scenes in the movie and think about if the story would interest me. But sadly, I still don't find the film as striking as the other entries are. Though I must say that the film definitely gave me a good laugh at certain lines.

Group picture with Amor (Althea Vega) - we're really this close! :p

Third Film:

Babagwa by Jason Paul Laxamana

Rating: ★★★★★

(Photo not mine)

Babagwa is a story about an internet scammer who falls in love with one of his victims while trying to lure her in the spider's lair.

If I were to describe this film in one word, it would be intense. It was engaging. I literally held on to my chair as the story unfolds and grows even more intense. It showed a reality that in the internet, we can become anyone and anything we want. We can create versions of ourselves that are often unrealistic and deceiving. Babagwa took us deeper into the mind of a Facebook scammer and how one conducts and operates his scheme. It is very informative and useful especially in a time like this where we greatly rely on the internet. The casting was perfect. Although I did not see Neri contributing any relevance and importance to the film. She may have contributed to making the film hilarious but as a whole, I didn't see the point of her character. Nevertheless, everyone was outstanding. I want to give slow claps to Alex Medina and most especially to Joey Paras for well-done performances! I loved how Joey Paras is so flexible in every scene he is in. May it be comedy, suspense or action. He executed everything perfectly! When it comes to the plot, although the concept of the film is similar to Catfish, I still did not see the ending coming which was a relief because it made me enjoy the film even more. Some say the ending was already predictable when Bam Bonifacio played by Kiko Matos was revealed to be Greg but good thing that did not spoil the ending for me. Babagwa's ending is probably one of my favorite endings out of all the films I've seen. I was so pissed off after seeing it just because I was rooting for Greg and Daisy. I just didn't like Pusong Bato in the ending. The film was also successful in making the audience feel as if they are part of the story. It was evident when everyone in the Little Theater was shouting and was on the edge of their seats. The script was also a reason why I like this film. It was real and believable. Clap clap for Jason Paul Laxamana!

The amazing cast of Babagwa (Alex Medina looking straight to my camera yiiee)

Luckily got to take a picture with Neri & Bam Bonifacio :)

Fourth Film:

Rekorder by Mikhail Red

Rating: ★★★☆☆

(Photo not mine)

“REKORDER” tells the story of a former 1980's film cameraman who now currently works as a movie pirate operating in present day Manila. He routinely smuggles a digital camcorder into movie theaters in order to illegally record films. One night he records something else... And the footage goes viral. (Cinemalaya.org)

Rekorder is the film I watched together with my group mates aside from the ones we watched as a batch. We were all intrigued by the plot so we decided to watch it. At first, I honestly got a little bored because of how slow things are going. But the film redeemed itself because of how beautifully it was executed and told. Out of all the films I have watched, it is foremost my favorite when it comes to cinematography and visual elements. This film was definitely a feast for the eyes. I also like how different devices are used to recorder the movie ranging from old to new technologies. In terms of the characters, Ronnie Quizon started out as a lifeless character in the beginning for me. But I learned to sympathize for him as the movie progresses and reveals his struggles. Though the script was very limited, it did not fail to send the deeper meaning of the film to the audience.

That's it for the movies, folks! Care for some museum tours?

The photos below are taken from museums inside CCP. Enjoy! :)

Testimonies of What Remains

I fell in love with this museum the moment I saw it. It was a bit ironic for me. Remembering the memories of people who have passed away seemed like a strange thing. But I guess, some things from the past are simply unforgettable. We will always have a part of them.