As an aside, I watched The Tale of Princess Kaguya (again) on the big screen. I will be writing something about this and The Wind Rises in a future post.
CINEMALAYA INSTITUTE SHORT FILMS
The Cinemalaya Institute was founded recently, and it offers intensive courses in filmmaking. The institute is currently headed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna. Near the end of this year's Cinemalaya, the filmmakers' output in the form of short films were shown to the public for the first time.
One more thing before I start: for the sake of transparency, I must disclose that the director of Litson, Jojo Nones, is my first cousin. I try to be as objective in my reviews as possible, but still, please keep that in mind while reading this.
These short films are mostly 5 minutes long, are in black and white with one exception, and aim to tell a narrative with little to no dialogue. With those restrictions in mind, here are the CFI short films:
Run and Hit is a clever short that plays with your sensibilities. It was shot seemingly at the CCP parking lot, which I guess is taking it close to home. I wish the gunman had better aim though. 3.25/5
Timpi kind of flew over my head at first, but it makes itself clear towards the end. People have different coping mechanisms for a tragic event. Simple as that. 2.75/5
Sampung Piso is one of the two comedies in this program. Simply put, it's a tale of karma. I love the sound effects on this one because I'm eight years old. Just Kidding. 3.5/5
Te Amo Adios is probably my least favorite short of the lot, maybe because it felt longer that it really is. The story doesn't help a lot either - I had to look at the synopsis to find out that the two men were best friends. 2.5/5
The Tax Collector - My favorite short of the lot. I guess they hired non actors for this one. I wish the person who played the beggar could emote more, it would have added to the impact at the end. 3.75/5
Sa Taas - Feels like the ending to a longer movie. The ending is slightly implausible but it's still kinda sad even if you have that in mind. 3/5
Serbisyo Publiko - This movie has a far more interesting premise than what I expected from its relatively short first half. This is one of the films that I think could be expanded. 3.75/5
Litson - the second of the two comedies featured in this program. It's witty, it has broad audience appeal, and it doesn't overstay its welcome. I love the little cutbacks during the end credits. 3.75/5
Pitik - I watched the color version of Pitik during the Saturday screening (the original version was in black and white.) I'm sure most of us has thought of doing what Pitik's protagonist did in the film at some time in our lives. The muzzle flash effects look really weird and a bit unrealistic, but with a limited (maybe even zero) budget, what can you do, right? 3.25/5
Mercedes - An okay short, but uses a lot of techniques I see often on television. The slow motion was a stylistic choice that I didn't particularly agree with, but to each their own. The scenario itself is kinda sad, especially the big reveal near the end. 3/5
Chicken - once you get to the last few seconds, you know exactly what's going to happen. I guess this could be the third comedy, but the laughs are darker and less overt. That sound at the end really jolted me though. 3.25/5
Apart from the full length shorts, other shorts by the directors were shown. These shorts are part of the requirements for the Institute's curriculum and is an exercise in a particular film style or technique. There are too many to mention, but some notables include Muse, which is an exercise in making a Cine-roman, the slightly disturbing Order Ni Mayor, Sakdal Laya which has Ina Feleo in it, the post apocalyptic short Deserted, and video prank gone horribly wrong Sangandaan.
All in all it's an impressive program, with most of these directors being first timers, having been involved in either TV or other media previously. I look forward to next years input and possible future full length films for these directors.
I really wanted to see this film way back in one of my first years of watching Cinemalaya. I guess it is appropriate that everything has come full circle and I finally am able to watch Jade Castro's Endo as my last film for this year's festival.
Endo is a story of love. Love gained, also love lost. But it also tells another story - the stories of the men and women who work short contracts - usually three to five months at a time - to make ends meet.
The film follows Leo (Jason Abalos) and Tanya (Ina Feleo) as they build a romantic relationship. Both are contract workers; Leo has just broken up with his girlfriend Candy because their respective jobs have ended, and because of distance issues. Tanya immediately takes a liking to Leo and romance blooms.
Of course, this balance can't last forever. Like the temporary jobs they both work in, Leo and Tanya's love is tested by their own beliefs and the transience of fate.
Leo represents this generation of drifting workers. Because they lack the luck and experience to get a more stable job, they risk their work benefits to become a short term contractual worker. They flit from job to job, never gaining any sort of familiarity with anything. Coworkers come and go, and while some keep in touch, some are never seen again.
Leo and others like him work merely to survive. Their generation is a generation devoid of hope, with a life that is dictated by the end of one work cycle and the start of another. While Tanya actively tries to break free from this never-ending cycle, Leo is trapped in it. His stagnation proves destructive and he runs the risk of being left behind by everyone he cares about.
The chemistry of the two leads works greatly in favor of the film. This is a believable romance, with believable twists and turns. And their ultimate decisions, whether to stay or move on, are completely understandable. Endo takes its time to build their love, and it takes its time to make the relationship run its course.
Endo is a capable romance that sheds light on a workforce that has lost the ability to dream. Perhaps, the movie tells us, something like love or the promise of something better can make these transitory workers want to dream again.
And that's it for this year. One more post for the winners, but this is the last review post for this year's Cinemalaya. See you next time at the movies.
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