During the penultimate day in the festival, a few surprises.
Cinemalaya ANI
Qiyamah (The Reckoning)
What the Cynic in Me Expected: sorry, I went into this one blind.
What actually happened: A short but interesting slice of life and culture among our brothers in the south. Might I say the last slice of life, since it takes place at the end of the world.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful:
I swear by the Day of Resurrection
And I swear by the reproaching soul [to the certainty of resurrection].
Does man think that We will not assemble his bones?
Yes. [We are] Able [even] to proportion his fingertips.
But man desires to continue in sin.
He asks, "When is the Day of Resurrection?"
So when vision is dazzled
And the moon darkens
And the sun and the moon are joined,
Man will say on that Day, "Where is the [place of] escape?"
No! There is no refuge.
To your Lord, that Day, is the [place of] permanence.
Man will be informed that Day of what he sent ahead and kept back.
Rather, man, against himself, will be a witness,
Even if he presents his excuses.
Translation of Surah Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection), Chapter 75:1-15, Holy Qur'an
I had heard about this film only shortly before I would watch it. It goes something like this. In a small rural community the sun suddenly rises in the west, which is a sign that Judgement Day is near. We then follow the lives of the people in the community, especially a family of three, as the hour nears.
Each member of the family has their own demons and regrets in life. The father was a former rebel and/or killer. The mother eloped with this guy, bringing pain to her parents. As for the kid, he is our untainted window into this world of last days.
There are a lot of films and stories about people dealing with the end, many featuring dramatic holding of hands and Michael Bay theatrics with explosions in the background. Here, the feeling is very subdued. The people, with their faith (or maybe due to something else), seem to have accepted the inevitable, like there's going to be a sale on Tuesday. Some just go on with their daily lives. But for many, past sins are reflected upon. "Did I do right?" "Will the deeds I've done so far get me to heaven or hell?" and so on. Aside from the family at the center of this film, other members of the community have their own issues to deal with.
The film is shot entirely in black and white, a harder medium to tell a film story with its various shades and shadows and visual limitations. The subtitles are a bit too abridged in parts (much like the translation of the Tausug dialog in Halaw) but they get the feelings across. Non-actors were used in most of the roles and it shows in some parts. There were a few sound issues, but nothing too major.
Although a bit short and not as tightly plotted, this is an interesting film to spend time with, especially if you are familiar with the culture. If not, some of the events in the film may seem alien.
Metaphor style rating: like waiting for the sunset, or spending time in the shower thinking of the mysteries of the universe.
New Breed Films
The Animals
What the Cynic in Me Expected: OMG mom I hate youuuu I wanted a Jaguar and you gave me a Ferrari!!! WORST BIRTHDAY EVERRRR
What Actually Happened: a unique viewpoint of today's generation from the point of view of upper middle class kids. Also, if this is our youth today, I'm getting a vasectomy. haha.
The Animals is a day in the life of three kids from affluent families: Albie Casino (no idea how to describe this guy), his klepto girlfriend, and her younger pot smoking frat joining brother. Aside from the usual high school hangups, relationships, entrance exams to the college of their choice, etcetera, everyone has his or her own teen issues in life. Everyone's stoked about the big party tonight, where everyone wants to drink some shit and get wasted. Shit then hits the fan fast after that.
We haven't seen something like this in Philippine Cinema since Batch '81 (bar a few forgettable sanitized teenybopper films.) But this film is unique in that it captures the shallowness and ennui of today's youth from a representative of the youth, not an observer from another generation. It's a fresh perspective that films in this festival, and films in general, rarely capture.
When asked why he is joining a fraternity and subjecting himself to useless abuse, one character answers, "wala lang, trip trip lang." Partly due to absentee parenting, a disconnect between children and parents, or as products of today's hollow society this generation is depicted as a lost one, buried in the throes of hedonism and momentary pleasures. Without guidance, they wander aimlessly through their youth, making rash decisions, trying to have a good time, or trying to belong. And ironically, perhaps back in their day the parents did these things too, albeit in a different way. Thus the sins of the parents trickle down into their kids.
There's a vibe I got when I watched this film similar to Larry Clark's films, like Kids and Ken Park, about teenagers basically going around doing stupid things. And there's one element that creeps into this film as it did in those films as well: none of the characters are really that sympathetic. In Kids for example, you really didn't want Telly to stop screwing around because you cared about his character, you wanted him to stop spreading STDs to some poor girls. In this case, I didn't really care about any of the characters, and whether they swam in their own vomit or not. I ended up watching the film to see who gets totally screwed up by the end, in a sort of morbid fascination.
Most telling, and probably my most favorite scene in the film, is when the family drivers of the main cast talk about how fucked up some of these kids are. Their jabs are frank and to the point, lamenting the senselessness of these kids' pursuits. And although by the end some seemingly get through scot free, there are consequences, perhaps most tellingly depicted in the last scenes. I don't think I'm the first and/or only guy to see some Gaspar Noe influences in some of those scenes (albeit not as well lighted in this movie's case.) Despite youthful feelings of invincibility, everybody's human, after all. The violence escalates and none of these guys are the same. I'm not really sure if that way is the way to go in this case, but in a weird sort of way it works.
There are some problems with the visuals, with some scenes not as clearly shot as others, as well as a few editing quibbles here and there. Otherwise the film isn't bad as far as first films go.
You will either like or hate this film. It depends on your own views on this generation and how you apply it to the film, as well as on how they resolved the story. But when all's said and done, I'm still looking for the definitive youth film for my generation.
Metaphor style rating: kicking your son in the balls. HARD.
Cinemalaya ANI
Qiyamah (The Reckoning)
What the Cynic in Me Expected: sorry, I went into this one blind.
What actually happened: A short but interesting slice of life and culture among our brothers in the south. Might I say the last slice of life, since it takes place at the end of the world.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful:
I swear by the Day of Resurrection
And I swear by the reproaching soul [to the certainty of resurrection].
Does man think that We will not assemble his bones?
Yes. [We are] Able [even] to proportion his fingertips.
But man desires to continue in sin.
He asks, "When is the Day of Resurrection?"
So when vision is dazzled
And the moon darkens
And the sun and the moon are joined,
Man will say on that Day, "Where is the [place of] escape?"
No! There is no refuge.
To your Lord, that Day, is the [place of] permanence.
Man will be informed that Day of what he sent ahead and kept back.
Rather, man, against himself, will be a witness,
Even if he presents his excuses.
Translation of Surah Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection), Chapter 75:1-15, Holy Qur'an
I had heard about this film only shortly before I would watch it. It goes something like this. In a small rural community the sun suddenly rises in the west, which is a sign that Judgement Day is near. We then follow the lives of the people in the community, especially a family of three, as the hour nears.
Each member of the family has their own demons and regrets in life. The father was a former rebel and/or killer. The mother eloped with this guy, bringing pain to her parents. As for the kid, he is our untainted window into this world of last days.
There are a lot of films and stories about people dealing with the end, many featuring dramatic holding of hands and Michael Bay theatrics with explosions in the background. Here, the feeling is very subdued. The people, with their faith (or maybe due to something else), seem to have accepted the inevitable, like there's going to be a sale on Tuesday. Some just go on with their daily lives. But for many, past sins are reflected upon. "Did I do right?" "Will the deeds I've done so far get me to heaven or hell?" and so on. Aside from the family at the center of this film, other members of the community have their own issues to deal with.
The film is shot entirely in black and white, a harder medium to tell a film story with its various shades and shadows and visual limitations. The subtitles are a bit too abridged in parts (much like the translation of the Tausug dialog in Halaw) but they get the feelings across. Non-actors were used in most of the roles and it shows in some parts. There were a few sound issues, but nothing too major.
Although a bit short and not as tightly plotted, this is an interesting film to spend time with, especially if you are familiar with the culture. If not, some of the events in the film may seem alien.
Metaphor style rating: like waiting for the sunset, or spending time in the shower thinking of the mysteries of the universe.
New Breed Films
The Animals
What the Cynic in Me Expected: OMG mom I hate youuuu I wanted a Jaguar and you gave me a Ferrari!!! WORST BIRTHDAY EVERRRR
What Actually Happened: a unique viewpoint of today's generation from the point of view of upper middle class kids. Also, if this is our youth today, I'm getting a vasectomy. haha.
The Animals is a day in the life of three kids from affluent families: Albie Casino (no idea how to describe this guy), his klepto girlfriend, and her younger pot smoking frat joining brother. Aside from the usual high school hangups, relationships, entrance exams to the college of their choice, etcetera, everyone has his or her own teen issues in life. Everyone's stoked about the big party tonight, where everyone wants to drink some shit and get wasted. Shit then hits the fan fast after that.
We haven't seen something like this in Philippine Cinema since Batch '81 (bar a few forgettable sanitized teenybopper films.) But this film is unique in that it captures the shallowness and ennui of today's youth from a representative of the youth, not an observer from another generation. It's a fresh perspective that films in this festival, and films in general, rarely capture.
When asked why he is joining a fraternity and subjecting himself to useless abuse, one character answers, "wala lang, trip trip lang." Partly due to absentee parenting, a disconnect between children and parents, or as products of today's hollow society this generation is depicted as a lost one, buried in the throes of hedonism and momentary pleasures. Without guidance, they wander aimlessly through their youth, making rash decisions, trying to have a good time, or trying to belong. And ironically, perhaps back in their day the parents did these things too, albeit in a different way. Thus the sins of the parents trickle down into their kids.
There's a vibe I got when I watched this film similar to Larry Clark's films, like Kids and Ken Park, about teenagers basically going around doing stupid things. And there's one element that creeps into this film as it did in those films as well: none of the characters are really that sympathetic. In Kids for example, you really didn't want Telly to stop screwing around because you cared about his character, you wanted him to stop spreading STDs to some poor girls. In this case, I didn't really care about any of the characters, and whether they swam in their own vomit or not. I ended up watching the film to see who gets totally screwed up by the end, in a sort of morbid fascination.
Most telling, and probably my most favorite scene in the film, is when the family drivers of the main cast talk about how fucked up some of these kids are. Their jabs are frank and to the point, lamenting the senselessness of these kids' pursuits. And although by the end some seemingly get through scot free, there are consequences, perhaps most tellingly depicted in the last scenes. I don't think I'm the first and/or only guy to see some Gaspar Noe influences in some of those scenes (albeit not as well lighted in this movie's case.) Despite youthful feelings of invincibility, everybody's human, after all. The violence escalates and none of these guys are the same. I'm not really sure if that way is the way to go in this case, but in a weird sort of way it works.
There are some problems with the visuals, with some scenes not as clearly shot as others, as well as a few editing quibbles here and there. Otherwise the film isn't bad as far as first films go.
You will either like or hate this film. It depends on your own views on this generation and how you apply it to the film, as well as on how they resolved the story. But when all's said and done, I'm still looking for the definitive youth film for my generation.
Metaphor style rating: kicking your son in the balls. HARD.
Cinemalaya 2012: Qiyamah, The Animals
During the penultimate day in the festival, a few surprises.
Cinemalaya ANI
Qiyamah (The Reckoning)
What the Cynic in Me Expected: sorry, I went into this one blind.
What actually happened: A short but interesting slice of life and culture among our brothers
in the south. Might I say the last slice of life, since it takes place at the end of the
world.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful:
I swear by the Day of Resurrection
And I swear by the reproaching soul [to the certainty of resurrection].
Does man think that We will not assemble his bones?
Yes. [We are] Able [even] to proportion his fingertips.
But man desires to continue in sin.
He asks, "When is the Day of Resurrection?"
So when vision is dazzled
And the moon darkens
And the sun and the moon are joined,
Man will say on that Day, "Where is the [place of] escape?"
No! There is no refuge.
To your Lord, that Day, is the [place of] permanence.
Man will be informed that Day of what he sent ahead and kept back.
Rather, man, against himself, will be a witness,
Even if he presents his excuses.
Translation of Surah Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection), Chapter 75:1-15, Holy Qur'an
I had heard about this film only shortly before I would watch it. It goes something like
this. In a small rural community the sun suddenly rises in the west, which is a sign that
Judgement Day is near. We then follow the lives of the people in the community, especially a
family of three, as the hour nears.
Each member of the family has their own demons and regrets in life. The father was a former
rebel and/or killer. The mother eloped with this guy, bringing pain to her parents. As for
the kid, he is our untainted window into this world of last days.
There are a lot of films and stories about people dealing with the end, many featuring
dramatic holding of hands and Michael Bay theatrics with explosions in the background. Here,
the feeling is very subdued. The people, with their faith (or maybe due to something else),
seem to have accepted the inevitable, like there's going to be a sale on Tuesday. Some just
go on with their daily lives. But for many, past sins are reflected upon. "Did I do right?"
"Will the deeds I've done so far get me to heaven or hell?" and so on. Aside from the family
at the center of this film, other members of the community have their own issues to deal
with.
The film is shot entirely in black and white, a harder medium to tell a film story with its
various shades and shadows and visual limitations. The subtitles are a bit too abridged in
parts (much like the translation of the Tausug dialog in Halaw) but they get the feelings
across. Non-actors were used in most of the roles and it shows in some parts. There were a
few sound issues, but nothing too major.
Although a bit short and not as tightly plotted, this is an interesting film to spend time
with, especially if you are familiar with the culture. If not, some of the events in the film
may seem alien.
Metaphor style rating: like waiting for the sunset, or spending time in the shower thinking
of the mysteries of the universe.
New Breed Films
The Animals
What the Cynic in Me Expected: OMG mom I hate youuuu I wanted a Jaguar and you gave me a
Ferrari!!! WORST BIRTHDAY EVERRRR
What Actually Happened: a unique viewpoint of today's generation from the point of view of
upper middle class kids. Also, if this is our youth today, I'm getting a vasectomy. haha.
The Animals is a day in the life of three kids from affluent families: Albie Casino (no idea
how to describe this guy), his klepto girlfriend, and her younger pot smoking frat joining
brother. Aside from the usual high school hangups, relationships, entrance exams to the
college of their choice, etcetera, everyone has his or her own teen issues in life.
Everyone's stoked about the big party tonight, where everyone wants to drink some shit and
get wasted. Shit then hits the fan fast after that.
We haven't seen something like this in Philippine Cinema since Batch '81 (bar a few
forgettable sanitized teenybopper films.) But this film is unique in that it captures the
shallowness and ennui of today's youth from a representative of the youth, not an observer
from another generation. It's a fresh perspective that films in this festival, and films in
general, rarely capture.
When asked why he is joining a fraternity and subjecting himself to useless abuse, one
character answers, "wala lang, trip trip lang." Partly due to absentee parenting, a
disconnect between children and parents, or as products of today's hollow society this
generation is depicted as a lost one, buried in the throes of hedonism and momentary
pleasures. Without guidance, they wander aimlessly through their youth, making rash
decisions, trying to have a good time, or trying to belong. And ironically, perhaps back in
their day the parents did these things too, albeit in a different way. Thus the sins of the
parents trickle down into their kids.
There's a vibe I got when I watched this film similar to Larry Clark's films, like Kids and
Ken Park, about teenagers basically going around doing stupid things. And there's one element
that creeps into this film as it did in those films as well: none of the characters are
really that sympathetic. In Kids for example, you really didn't want Telly to stop screwing
around because you cared about his character, you wanted him to stop spreading STDs to some
poor girls. In this case, I didn't really care about any of the characters, and whether they
swam in their own vomit or not. I ended up watching the film to see who gets totally screwed
up by the end, in a sort of morbid fascination.
Most telling, and probably my most favorite scene in the film, is when the family drivers of
the main cast talk about how fucked up some of these kids are. Their jabs are frank and to
the point, lamenting the senselessness of these kids' pursuits. And although by the end some
seemingly get through scot free, there are consequences, perhaps most tellingly depicted in
the last scenes. I don't think I'm the first and/or only guy to see some Gaspar Noe
influences in some of those scenes (albeit not as well lighted in this movie's case.) The
violence escalates and none of these guys are the same. I'm not really sure if that way is
the way to go in this case, but in a weird sort of way it works.
There are some problems with the visuals, with some scenes not as clearly shot as others, as
well as a few editing quibbles here and there. Otherwise the film isn't bad as far as first
films go.
You will either like or hate this film. It depends on your own views on this generation and
how you apply it to the film, as well as on how they resolved the story. But when all's said
and done, I'm still looking for the definitive youth film for my generation.
Metaphor style rating: kicking your son in the balls. HARD.
During the penultimate day in the festival, a few surprises.
Cinemalaya ANI
Qiyamah (The Reckoning)
What the Cynic in Me Expected: sorry, I went into this one blind.
What actually happened: A short but interesting slice of life and culture among our brothers
in the south. Might I say the last slice of life, since it takes place at the end of the
world.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful:
I swear by the Day of Resurrection
And I swear by the reproaching soul [to the certainty of resurrection].
Does man think that We will not assemble his bones?
Yes. [We are] Able [even] to proportion his fingertips.
But man desires to continue in sin.
He asks, "When is the Day of Resurrection?"
So when vision is dazzled
And the moon darkens
And the sun and the moon are joined,
Man will say on that Day, "Where is the [place of] escape?"
No! There is no refuge.
To your Lord, that Day, is the [place of] permanence.
Man will be informed that Day of what he sent ahead and kept back.
Rather, man, against himself, will be a witness,
Even if he presents his excuses.
Translation of Surah Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection), Chapter 75:1-15, Holy Qur'an
I had heard about this film only shortly before I would watch it. It goes something like
this. In a small rural community the sun suddenly rises in the west, which is a sign that
Judgement Day is near. We then follow the lives of the people in the community, especially a
family of three, as the hour nears.
Each member of the family has their own demons and regrets in life. The father was a former
rebel and/or killer. The mother eloped with this guy, bringing pain to her parents. As for
the kid, he is our untainted window into this world of last days.
There are a lot of films and stories about people dealing with the end, many featuring
dramatic holding of hands and Michael Bay theatrics with explosions in the background. Here,
the feeling is very subdued. The people, with their faith (or maybe due to something else),
seem to have accepted the inevitable, like there's going to be a sale on Tuesday. Some just
go on with their daily lives. But for many, past sins are reflected upon. "Did I do right?"
"Will the deeds I've done so far get me to heaven or hell?" and so on. Aside from the family
at the center of this film, other members of the community have their own issues to deal
with.
The film is shot entirely in black and white, a harder medium to tell a film story with its
various shades and shadows and visual limitations. The subtitles are a bit too abridged in
parts (much like the translation of the Tausug dialog in Halaw) but they get the feelings
across. Non-actors were used in most of the roles and it shows in some parts. There were a
few sound issues, but nothing too major.
Although a bit short and not as tightly plotted, this is an interesting film to spend time
with, especially if you are familiar with the culture. If not, some of the events in the film
may seem alien.
Metaphor style rating: like waiting for the sunset, or spending time in the shower thinking
of the mysteries of the universe.
New Breed Films
The Animals
What the Cynic in Me Expected: OMG mom I hate youuuu I wanted a Jaguar and you gave me a
Ferrari!!! WORST BIRTHDAY EVERRRR
What Actually Happened: a unique viewpoint of today's generation from the point of view of
upper middle class kids. Also, if this is our youth today, I'm getting a vasectomy. haha.
The Animals is a day in the life of three kids from affluent families: Albie Casino (no idea
how to describe this guy), his klepto girlfriend, and her younger pot smoking frat joining
brother. Aside from the usual high school hangups, relationships, entrance exams to the
college of their choice, etcetera, everyone has his or her own teen issues in life.
Everyone's stoked about the big party tonight, where everyone wants to drink some shit and
get wasted. Shit then hits the fan fast after that.
We haven't seen something like this in Philippine Cinema since Batch '81 (bar a few
forgettable sanitized teenybopper films.) But this film is unique in that it captures the
shallowness and ennui of today's youth from a representative of the youth, not an observer
from another generation. It's a fresh perspective that films in this festival, and films in
general, rarely capture.
When asked why he is joining a fraternity and subjecting himself to useless abuse, one
character answers, "wala lang, trip trip lang." Partly due to absentee parenting, a
disconnect between children and parents, or as products of today's hollow society this
generation is depicted as a lost one, buried in the throes of hedonism and momentary
pleasures. Without guidance, they wander aimlessly through their youth, making rash
decisions, trying to have a good time, or trying to belong. And ironically, perhaps back in
their day the parents did these things too, albeit in a different way. Thus the sins of the
parents trickle down into their kids.
There's a vibe I got when I watched this film similar to Larry Clark's films, like Kids and
Ken Park, about teenagers basically going around doing stupid things. And there's one element
that creeps into this film as it did in those films as well: none of the characters are
really that sympathetic. In Kids for example, you really didn't want Telly to stop screwing
around because you cared about his character, you wanted him to stop spreading STDs to some
poor girls. In this case, I didn't really care about any of the characters, and whether they
swam in their own vomit or not. I ended up watching the film to see who gets totally screwed
up by the end, in a sort of morbid fascination.
Most telling, and probably my most favorite scene in the film, is when the family drivers of
the main cast talk about how fucked up some of these kids are. Their jabs are frank and to
the point, lamenting the senselessness of these kids' pursuits. And although by the end some
seemingly get through scot free, there are consequences, perhaps most tellingly depicted in
the last scenes. I don't think I'm the first and/or only guy to see some Gaspar Noe
influences in some of those scenes (albeit not as well lighted in this movie's case.) The
violence escalates and none of these guys are the same. I'm not really sure if that way is
the way to go in this case, but in a weird sort of way it works.
There are some problems with the visuals, with some scenes not as clearly shot as others, as
well as a few editing quibbles here and there. Otherwise the film isn't bad as far as first
films go.
You will either like or hate this film. It depends on your own views on this generation and
how you apply it to the film, as well as on how they resolved the story. But when all's said
and done, I'm still looking for the definitive youth film for my generation.
Metaphor style rating: kicking your son in the balls. HARD.
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