No competition films for today, but as promised, Friday is when things heat up. Today, let's take a look at a veteran actor's directorial debut.
Special Screening - Philippine Premiere
Edna
I grew up in the presence of OFWs. My father was an OFW before he married my mother, and my childhood was spent growing up in the company of uncles who were waiting for their trip abroad. They sacrifice almost everything they have for the ones they love. But what about the people they leave behind?
Edna, played by Irma Adlawan, is one such OFW. A caregiver abroad, she comes home just in time for Christmas. She lets loose the face that she isn't going back abroad. From there, you can tell that there's something wrong about the whole thing.
You see, Edna's family (save for the youngest kid, who is just messed up) is the most evil group of assholes I've ever seen. They exist for no other purpose than to mooch anything and everything Edna has. As she realizes the truth about her family, she begins to lose her grip on her sanity.
Irma Adlawan gives an amazing performance as Edna, a woman who is desperately hanging on to some sense of control over her family. She remains the one decent person in the film, clutching her umbrella like it was some sort of talisman, the remnants of her trust and sanity. But within her speech at the end is an inner strength, and a weakness as well: her devotion to the family unit becomes her undoing. While this is happening, the picture turns from color to grayscale, as things become clearer (or fuzzier?) at the same time.
For those planning to watch this film, let me tell you two things. If you enjoyed the last few minutes of the story before the credits (heck, I was clapping,) then go and be at peace. If not (or if you're just really curious), there's a post credits scene that totally changes the meaning of the last third of the film.
Edna is also a reminder to all of us who are left behind: appreciate and reciprocate the feelings of your loved ones who are working for you and your family overseas. There are few sacrifices that are greater in magnitude.
7 balikbayans/10
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