If you remember in a previous post, the streaming platform Viddsee in cooperation with the FDCP announced a program where a jury will pick 10 films from a pool of submissions to show around the Philippines. I've now seen all ten finalists, and for the most part they are a pretty good bunch of films.
You can watch them all here: Viddsee Juree Philippines Finalists
Or, you can visit the main Viddsee site or use their app from your phone.
Let's get on to the reviews, then!
VIDDSEE JUREE PHILIPPINES SHORT SHORTS REVIEWS
Aliens Ata was part of Cinemalaya 2017's shorts program, where it deservedly won awards. If you liked the way the unique camera angle portrayed the trials and tribulations of two brothers, then I think this film will still hold up pretty well.
Caterwaul is one of the shorter films among this year's finalists, but it's sobering stuff, frank and straight to the point. It's even more relevant considering current events, though the issues that the short addresses should be relevant, always.
Dungaw's plot is a road often traveled by short films and student films, but it's pretty well shot, perhaps the short entry with the most confident visual style. As a slight aside, the actions of one of the characters in this short sure were counterproductive, huh?
In a short amount of time, Mother of Perpetual Help manages to expose the numerous neuroses and hangups of a family of four. The short takes place in a single location (the family dinner table) where three brothers squabble amongst each other, exposing their own character traits and flaws. It's pretty solid stuff.
Though I liked some of the aspects of its production, Companion (Kaulayaw) really lost me by its second half. Its characters' angst didn't feel earned, and I was confused trying to figure out their motivations and/or reasons for being emotional. Then it ends abruptly, leaving little to no resolution to the whole thing.
Anyone who has spent any amount of time being a post graduation bum (like me!) will immediately find something to relate to in Lovely is Off Air. It's a perfect encapsulation of the ennui that develops in the space between graduation and true adulthood. In many parts, the short is also uniquely off kilter and weird, which only adds to its overall charm.
Another Cinemalaya 2017 short in the finalist list is Nakauwi Na (Home). It's largely unchanged from its Cinemalaya iteration and it's still as technically unpolished as it was back then. But there's a good reason why this short is the most liked entree in Viddsee as of this writing, and why it won over so many hearts in Cinemalaya. It's still tender and very emotional, and that ending? Still perfect.
I've also already seen Red Lights before. I thought it was good back then and I still hold that opinion even now. I love the whole predatory streak it gives off, even in its final moments.
My absolute favorite short in this batch is In his Island (Sa Saiyang Isla), about a boy who lives in a quiet fishing island. I'm amazed at how well it manages to incorporate and discuss so many contemporary issues in such a short running time. It talks about how environmental destruction affects the most vulnerable and impoverished first. It talks about how gender stereotypes are still a thing in 2017. It talks about the importance of family. And its ending is pretty emotionally affecting.
The last, and shortest short in this batch is Tirador, about a kid who stands up to bullies with his trusty slingshot. At just six minutes, its plot is very simple, but it teaches a very important lesson: good deeds pay dividends.
***
I hope you enjoy watching the Viddsee Juree Finalists, and while you're there, it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a look at the other great short films Viddsee has to offer. They have a diverse collection and they feature a lot of Philippine short films that have been shown in film festivals here and abroad.
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