Baka Bukas throws us right into the end of a relationship, as Alex is in the process of separating amicably from her partner Kate. Alex has a best friend, Jess, who is a well known TV actress. Due to a trick of fate, Jess learns that Alex is a lesbian, and their relationship begins to evolve.
I admire what Baka Bukas is trying to do, portraying a lesbian relationship in the context of contemporary Philippine society. While we see a lot of depictions of gay romance in local cinema, depictions of lesbian romances are a bit rare.
Its treatment of the romance departs from the loud, flamboyant style that is a pitfall for many romantic films, straight or not. It's a surprisingly gentle approach, with lots of contemplative, quiet moments. Its visuals, lensed by Sasha Palomares and designed by Whammy Alcazaren, are awash with pastel colors, warm brown tones, and subtle flashes of orange and violet, reflecting the characters' moods. And despite a couple of moments of levity, the film is quite somber, as emotions are often kept hidden, paralleling the film's title: a half-hearted promise to let these emotions out, not today, maybe tomorrow.
Because of those emotions left unsaid, there's a tinge of awkwardness in many of the scenes of the movie. And I don't mean it in a bad way - this awkwardness is from the fact that everyone knows what's being said, but no one is saying it. It's only when these emotions are let out, when the characters let themselves be and live their lives in the now, when there's a resolution to the whole thing.
The film could not have worked without Jasmine Curtis. She's a phenomenal actress; conveying these hidden emotions very well. She acts tough, in control, when deep inside she's actually hurting from the pressures of society at large. And if there was ever an 'antagonist' in this film, it's a society that doesn't fully accept what Alex is, judging her at the same time.
The film is not perfect. There are a few cheesy lines, and I thought the film could have concentrated more on the development of Alex and Jess' relationship as best friends, and let it simmer more before diving wholesale into it.
Based on its treatment, Baka Bukas is a very personal film. There may be some areas where the story proves rough around the edges, but it has a lot of pretty profound moments hidden beneath its gentle exterior.
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