Alvin Yapan's films mostly talk about connections, whether it be between man and others (Sayaw, Gayuma), one's past (Mga Anino ng Kahapon), or faith (Debosyon).
His latest, An Kubo sa Kawayanan, can either be an extension of his films about our relationship with nature, or a metaphorical exploration of we as a people and our relationship with our home.
Michelle (Mercedes Cabral) lives in a small hut beside a bamboo grove. She makes ends meet by doing embroidery and selling the bamboo growing near her house, but otherwise her life is pretty mundane. During the course of the film, fellow villagers and outsiders try to urge her to leave, to no avail. We also find out that Michelle has a strange relationship with the hut, who behaves like it has a consciousness. We see it jealous, protective, even loving in a way.
An Kubo ng Kawayanan thrives in its simplicity; Michelle often engages in small things to pass the time. She is content with the rhythms of her life, and this comfort is often the reason she decides to stay. She is, in a way, a gatekeeper; she believes that without her presence the house would quickly fall into disrepair. Her thoughts, counterpointing her speaking voice, record her inner feelings about her house and her place in it.
The use of magical realism is subtle compared to Yapan's other films, with many of the overt scenes occurring as dream sequences, which may lead to differing interpretations of the film. Is Michelle imagining everything or not? The film leaves this open to discussion.
An Kubo sa Kawayanan tells us how we sometimes hold on to things because we sense that life itself is fleeting; because life is fragile and prone to disappearing.
Composed of twelve short films, the omnibus Anatomiya ng Pag-ibig varies all the way from more conventional fare to experimental stuff. Overall, the experience is a mixed bag; some parts may end up better than others depending on one's preferences. Let's talk about them one by one.
Julia is structured as one long dialogue that skips from scene to scene. Julia talks about her uncertainty towards love. We realize that in every scene she is with a different man. Each iteration's 'I love you' seems less truthful than the one that comes before it. Also, maybe vampires.
Ding is probably the most accessible short in the whole bunch. It's a short meditation on second chances and how we unconsciously or consciously inflict heartbreak on each other.
Anyone who has petitioned a higher power in the name of love will get what Ferdie is trying to do. Minimalist in tone, with a sense of desolation, it ends exactly where it should.
Rudi at Divino is hilarious and cute. The 'pag-ibig' connection seems tenuous at best. You do get a sense that the glamourized artifice of love is far removed from reality. Also, Soaplands are nice. I think.
September at Simon has a daring scene by Lilia Cuntapay. I'd never think I'd write something like that, ever, but here you go. It's a treatise on how love survives in a couple's relationship despite the burden of children and work.
Maria lays on the metaphors so thick, you can see where it comes from a mile away. If you take Chynna Ortaleza's character to be Maria's lover instead of a Gabriel-like figure, it takes on a different meaning.
Lope is about a boy and his grandmother talking. While it seems to be a simple argument about tinola, it reveals far deeper wounds from the grandmother's past. Despite her wounds, her love for her grandson persists. Also features a daring scene by Erlinda Villalobos, also among the things I thought I would never write, ever.
Tisoy is plain weird, but is one of the funniest shorts in the lot. Not surprising considering that the directors are behind Asan si Lolo Me? and Pusong Bato. Were there any evil librarians in Diliman? I thought we only had them here in Manila. Heh.
I want to say Delia at Weng took my pre-nup video idea, but its depiction of a battle of affections for the hand of some groom is different from my idea of random explosions and car punching. It's short and sweet.
Every full blooded man who has a "stash" somewhere in their room (if you know what I mean) knows exactly what Paula is about. Part of the fun is figuring out who the hell Paula is and why does she want her panties so bad. I mean, you could always wear shorts or go commando...
Kiko Matos stars in Eva, which shows us love's twisted side. While looking at the synopses at the individual films, I learned that Eva was his estranged lover, something I didn't pick up while watching the film. It's meant to be disturbing, and it may not be to everyone's taste.
From the director of last year's The Ordinary Things We Do, we get another experimental short with Dencio at Meng, which encapsulates the eternal game between man and woman, chasing after and finding each other, then losing them, then chasing after them once more.
One's mileage may vary when watching Anatomiya ng Pag-ibig; fans of experimental or theatric fare will probably like this, while moviegoers with more mainstream sensibilities may end up confused. Also, who can pass up the opportunity to see Lilia Cuntapay's daring scene. Come on, dudes.
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