MMFF 2010: Makalipas ang Isang Buwan

Hindi ko namalayan na nakalipas na ang isang buwan at wala pa rin akong nasasabi tungkol sa nakaraang Metro Manila Film Festival. Hindi naman talaga kailangan na merong masabi, considering na nagbago na rin ang kalidad ng criteria sa pagpili ng mga kasali na nagbunsod upang mabago rin ang kalidad ng line-up at pagpili ng mga nanalo.

Kung meron mang kapansin-pansin na pagbabago, ito na siguro ‘yung pagkakaroon ng tatlong pelikula mula sa Star Cinema. Hindi ko makalimutan ‘yung gumawa pa sila dati ng ingay laban sa pagkakaroon ng tatlo o apat na entry mula kay Mother Lily. Pero ngayon, sabi nga, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Binago rin ang hanay ng mga hurado dahil sabi nga ni MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino sa MMFF commercial, magkakaroon ng isang guro, isang bus driver at iba pa. In short, mga hurado na maaaring wala talagang kinalaman sa pelikula. Mainam sana ang ganito kung ang pagpaparangal ng MMFF ay isang malaking Viewers’ Choice Award. Pero hindi nga ba?

Nag-introduce din para sa 2010 ng indie film category bilang, ayon muli sa MMDA, pagbibigay ng tribute sa kahusayan ng Pinoy sa ganitong larangan. Ang nakakalungkot lang, invitational ang screening at isang beses lang (6:30pm) sa iisang sinehan (Robinsons Galleria) para sa bawat isang pelikula. Pakiramdam ko, mas lalong bumaba ang tingin ng gobyerno sa indie film industry.

Oh well, sa ibaba ay, para sa akin, listahan ng nararapat na manalo. Hindi ko na tinangkang panoorin ang “Si Enteng at si Agimat” (dahil sigurado naman akong kikita ito) at naubusan naman ako ng sinehan para sa “Father Jejemon” ni Mang Dolphy.

BEST PICTURE: RPG: Metanoia

Hindi ko inaasahan na ang kauna-unahang Pinoy film sa 3D ang makakapag-deliver ng kuwento nang buo at maayos sa lahat ng mga entry. Natumbok ang argumento tungkol sa mga larong-batang kailangan at hindi kailangan ng pisikal na interaction (na marahil ay concern ng nakararaming mga magulang ngayon). Hindi nakakagulat nang makita ko ang pangalan ni Jade Castro sa kredito. Isa s’ya sa mga nagbigay buhay sa kredibilidad ng mundo ng network game at sa pagkabusilak ng mga batang kasali rito. Sa aspetong biswal, hindi rin nagpatalo ang pelikula. Lahat ng hinahanap ng isang batang Pilipino mula sa Pixar o Dreamworks ay nandito rin bagama’t hindi kasing rangya.

Special Mention: Shake, Rattle and Roll 12’s “Punerarya” episode. Bihirang bihira na tayong makanood ng mga dekalidad na episode sa franchise na ito ng Regal Films (na ang huli ko yatang nagustuhan ay ‘yung LRT episode ni Mike Tuviera). Simple lang din kung tutuusin ang tema subalit ang bawat technical aspect ay nagpiyesta sa detalye.

BEST DIRECTOR: Louie Suarez

Dalawa lang ang stand-out para sa akin, sina Louie Suarez (RPG: Metanoia) at Jerrold Tarog (Shake, Rattle and Roll 12’s “Punerarya”). Nanaig ang una dahil sa tingin ko, mas challenging sa Pinoy film culture ang makapagbigay ng isang buong animated feature na maaari ring ihanay sa labas ng bansa. Matino ang voice talents, siksik sa Pinoy values at magara ang mga biswal. Ang mapagsama ang mga aspetong ‘yan ay isang malaking achievement para sa isang filmmaker.

Special Mention: Maliban kay Jerrold Tarold, ang ambisyosong pagsasabuhay ni Albert Martinez ng isang bahagi ng nakalipas na kasaysayan sa mata ng isang nagkamaling babae at ina ay hindi dapat isantabi.

BEST PERFORMER: Carla Abellana at ang bumubuo ng “Punerarya”

Hindi ako fan ni Miss Carla Abellana pero nagalingan ako sa kanya rito bilang isang guro na nasadlak sa lihim na taguan ng mga aswang. Napatingkad n’ya ang kahinaan na hinihingi ng karakter, gan’un din ang pagsusumamong maitakas n’ya sa pagkakasadlak ang batang si Nash Aguas. Ang bumubuo ng clan sa pangunguna ni Sid Lucero at Odette Khan ay malaki rin ang naiambag.

Special Mention: Sid Lucero at Ricky Davao (para sa “Rosario”), at Ai-Ai delas Alas, Alwyn Uytingco at Eugene Domingo (para sa “Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na ‘To”).

At hindi ko yata mapapalampas na hindi mabanggit ang mga ito:

BEST ACTING PIECE: Mr. Pringles-inspired na Bigote ni Philip Salvador (“Rosario”) at Pekpek Shorts ni Alwyn Uytingco (“Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na ‘To”)

Lahat yata ay nakatingin sa bigote ni Ipe, kinakabahan na hinihintay itong mahulog. Hindi tuloy masyadong napansin ang special participation ng mahusay na beteranong aktor. Sa sobrang iksi naman ng mga shorts ni Alwyn, hindi rin maiikailang mag-debut ang kanyang tattoo na sinubukan namang takpan ng make-up upang lumuwa ang karakter n’yang bading. Sa pagitan ng bigote at shorts, ang isa ay nakakatuwa na nakakaawa at ang isa ay nakakatuwa na nakakatawa.

BEST CGI: Rosario

Bago matapos ang pelikula, sa panahong nag-uumpisa nang maging teenager ang anak ni Jennilyn Mercado, bumulaga ang half-naked na aktres na tila nakainom ng pampabata. Ang ganda-ganda n’ya r’un. Mas mukha pa s’yang bata r’yan kesa sa umpisa ng pelikula kung saan isa pa lang s’yang estudyante. Walang panama ang “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”.

BEST CAMEO: MVP (“Rosario”)

Si Piolo Pascual (“Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na ‘To”) lang naman ang kakumpetensya rito pero mas agaw-eksena si Manny Pangilinan. Nakuha pang isurpresa ng kamera. Sa umpisa ay hindi masyadong ipinapakita kung sino ang kausap na importanteng tao ni Mang Dolphy (na hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ginawa ng direktor) pero kalaunan ay ini-highlight din. Parang ang gusto yatang sabihin ng pelikula, kahit na bigatin ang pangalan ni MVP, meron din itong hindi masyadong masaya na kwento ng nakaraan.

Special Mention: Joy Ortega bilang secretary ni MVP. Natatandaan n’yo pa ba s’ya? Iisa lang naman noon ang nagi-spoof kay Kris Aquino at ang balita ko, hindi masaya ang presidential daughter/sister sa panggagaya ni Miss Ortega. Maliban sa kanyang claim-to-fame na role sa “Bongbong at Kris” ng PETA, mas sumikat s’ya sa pagho-host ng Lunchdate sa GMA7 (na katapat noon ng “Eat Bulaga” sa ABS-CBN).

Ang Fight Club at ang Tutu ni Natalie Portman

Black Swan
Direksyon: Darren Aronofsky
Iskrip: Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz at John J. McLaughlin
Mga Nagsiganap: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder, atbp.

ISTORYA

Isang ballet dancer si Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) na inaasam na matanso ang prestihiyosong pangunahing papel sa Swan Lake. Bahagi ng demand ng artistic director na si Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) ay ang dilim at rahas na hinihiling ng Black Swan na kabaliktaran naman ng puro at immaculate na Swan Queen. Sa gitna ay mga balakid sa mga pangarap ni Nina: si Beth Macintyre (Winona Ryder) na dating musa ng direktor, si Lily (Mila Kunis) na kanyang kumpetisyon sa trono at ang kanyang overprotective na ina (Barbara Hershey).

KASING-DILIM NG ANINO

Kamukha ng ilang materyal ni Darren Aronofsky, tumalakay rin sa human condition ang pelikula, partikular sa sikolohikal na aspeto. Kung ang “Requiem for a Dream” ay kumatok sa pinto ng kawalan ng pag-asa ng mga karakter doon dulot ng drugs at ipinamalas naman ng “The Wrestler” ang pagdaan sa impiyerno ng isang tumatandang ama, masusi namang nahukay ang masalimuot at madilim na eskinita ng human mind sa “Black Swan”. Malinaw ang pagkakakuwento tungkol sa isang babaeng pinatiklop ng ambisyon dulot na rin ng kanyang environment (pamilya, peers at pangarap). Kung tutuusin, ito naman ang pangunahing layunin ng pelikula, ang akayin tayo sa isang pagtawid mula sa normal na pag-iisip papunta sa hindi normal. Dito pa lang, para sa akin ay nagtagumpay na ang obra. Bonus na lang na halos lahat ng eksena ay nababalutan ng salamin (sa rehearsal room, sa dressing room, mga gamit sa bahay at kuwarto) na tila masugid na paalala sa manonood ng pag-usisa sa ating sarili (na huli kong natunugan nang mapanood ko ang “Fight Club” ni David Fincher).

Nakita ko rin dito ang ilusyon ng “Requiem for a Dream”. Ang ilang magical na pangitain dulot ng droga ay pinalitan naman dito ng halusinasyon mula sa schizophrenia. Nariyang nagsalo sa isang frame ang dalawang Nina Sayers, sa isang sidewalk kung saan sila nagkasalubong at minsan naman ay mga eksena ng repleksyon sa salamin na may sariling buhay. Upang mabigyang-diin ang self-destruction, nagamit din ang ilusyon sa mga eksenang sinusugatan ni Nina ang kanyang katawan (ang kanyang likod na nagdurugo at ang sugat sa kuko na nagbunsod sa kanya, sa isang nakakapangilabot na eksena, na balatan ang sarili). Hindi rin tumahan dito ang ilusyon. Sa dulo, upang makarating sa kanyang katauhan bilang Black Swan, ipinakita ang literal na metamorphosis ng kanyang anyo: ang pagtubo ng kulay itim na balahibo, ang magarang pakpak at ang pamumula ng mga mata.

Hindi ko makakalimutan si Natalie Portman sa pelikulang ito. Kapani-paniwala ang kanyang pagsayaw bilang ballet dancer. Napaka-virginal din n’ya sa kanyang puting tutu, isang katangian na hinihiling ng kanyang karakter na stiff. “Loose yourself”, sabi nga ng kanyang mentor. At sa kanyang paglaya sa pagiging frigid, natumbok din ng aktres ang dilim na inaasahan mula sa kanya. Napagana n’ya nang sabay ang pagiging vulnerable at pagiging fierce.

KONKLUSYON

Kasing itim ng pamagat ang tema ng pelikula. Marahil ay ilang ulit na itong natalakay sa mga pelikula pero hindi maiikailang isa sa pinakaepektibo ang vision ni Darren Aronofsky rito. Hindi man kasing luho ng “Black Swan” ang ilang pagtapak natin sa dilim pero pinag-isip ako ng ilang pagkakataon na nagkaroon ako ng sariling itim na pakpak at lumipad nang taliwas sa tono. Siguro ay nasa kanya-kanyang pagtawid lang ‘yan ayon sa mga tao sa paligid natin o sa socio-economic na kalagayan ng bansa. May mga kakilala akong hindi nakarating at may ilan din namang mabulaklak ang pagkapanalo. Mapalad na ako, na matapos mapanood ang pelikula ay kaya kong balikan nang nakangiti ang aking pagkalampas.

Pagdating sa Dulo

Senior Year
Direksyon: Jerrold Tarog
Iskrip: Jerrold Tarog
Mga Nagsiganap: RJ Ledesma, Ina Feleo, Arnold Reyes, Dimples Romana, atbp.

ISTORYA

Rekoleksyon ng huling taon sa high school ang pelikula. Inumpisahan ito sa isang pagharap sa sarili ni Henry Dalmacio (RJ Ledesma) kung nararapat bang harapin pa o hindi na ang mga batchmates sa isang reunion na kanyang dadaluhan. Ikinuwento ng mga sumunod na eksena kung gaano kakulay ang buhay sa pagtatapos ng huling taon ng isang mag-aaral sa high school.

PAGBALIK AT PAGKABUO

Ito na siguro ang pinakamadaling maabot na full-length feature ni Jerrold Tarog pagdating sa tema at execution. Hindi ito kasing playful at mind-blowing kamukha ng “Confessional” at hindi naman kasing bigat ng “Mangatyanan” (na pareho kong nagustuhan at nakitaan ng mataas na uri ng craftmanship). Ang pinakamalapit na siguro pagdating sa ambiance ay hindi ang kanyang short film na “Faculty” (na prequel ng “Senior Year”) kundi ang mas nauna rito na “Carpool”. Kung tutuusin, puwedeng ihanay sa mainstream ang tema na gustong tahakin ng pelikula pero naniniwala akong walang mainstream director ang makakalikha ng ganitong klase ng obra. Sumakto rin sa subject ang musika at editing na sa tingin ko ay makakakuha ng atensyon mula sa younger generation.

Natural at walang palamuti ang pagkakalahad ng iba’t ibang kuwento ng mga high school students dito. Inilitanya ang magkakahalong sentimyento sa paraang madaling maamoy at makita ang mga karakter bilang buhay na bahagi ng society. Para kang nakatingin sa salamin. At anu-anong reflection nga ba ang ipinakita? Isang running for valedictorian na mas inuna ang utak kesa puso (na karaniwang issue ng mga thinking person). Isang sosyalera na nais makapasok sa La Salle at nabigo. Isang nagnanais makuha ang pagiging graceful ng sosyalera at isa namang naiinis sa sosyalera. Isang bading na nagnanasang matulungan ang gurong babae. Isang lesbian na nag-uumpisang bumukadkad. Isang batang oppressed sa pagtingin ng dalawang magulang at marami pang iba.

Hindi ko alam kung malaki ang naiambag ng pagkuha sa mga non-actor (na para sa akin ay isa sa pinakamahusay na ensemble sa pelikulang Pinoy para sa 2010). Nai-imagine ko habang nanonood ang ilan kong kapit-bahay na high school students na araw-araw sumasakay ng jeep o ‘yung mga naglalagay ng powder sa mukha sa kalamigan ng mga naglalakihang mall sa Metro Manila. Naalala ko rin ang mga classmates ko n’ung high school, ang bawat kakulitan at paglalambing nila, mga away-bata o maging ang amoy ng pawis matapos ang CAT class. Matapos kong mapanood ang pelikula, naisip ko na sana’y mas nakilala ko pa sila n’ung high school, mas nagkaroon pa sana ako ng pagkakataon na “makita” sila. Alam kong sa kabila ng mga bagong plantsang uniporme ay ilang gusut-gusot na buhay.

May isang linya sa pelikula ang hindi ko makalimutan at parati ko ring tinatanong sa aking sarili. Bakit nga ba gustung gusto nating balikan ang high school sa kabila ng kaibahan ng pagkatao natin noon? Halimbawa, kung paano tayo mag-isip. May ilang tala ang Time Magazine dati tungkol sa “Secrets of the Teen Brain” na tumalakay sa structure ng pag-iisip ng mga kabataan. Gusto lang i-summarize nito ang kasariwaan ng pagbuo ng desisyon (o sa ibang salita, immaturity) ng isang teenager. Iba pang usapan ang taste sa pananamit, mga pananaw sa buhay, mga angst at mga pangarap. Kapag sumasapit ang reunion, na kadalasan ay sampung taon ang kinakain bago maganap, hindi maiiwasang mapansin ang malaking pagkakaiba. Kini-claim natin na mas mature na tayo matapos maka-graduate sa college at mag-umpisang magtrabaho. Sa aking sariling experience, halimbawa, naninibago na rin ako sa ilang high school classmates. Oo, nand’un pa rin naman ang core na una mong napansin n’ung high school pero malaki na ang itinalon, pisikal man o sikolohikal. Minsan, napapaisip ako na, siguro kung bibigyan kami ng isa pang pagkakataon na magkasama-sama ulit sa isang matagal na panahon, baka hindi na kami magkaintindihan. Baka ang maging circle of friends ko na ay ibang grupo naman na hindi ko dati madalas nakakasama noon sa campus.

Sa dulo, ako rin naman ang makakasagot kung bakit masarap balik-balikan ang buhay-high school. Siguro dahil immature tayo noon, mas malaya tayong gawin ang mga bagay na maaaring magmarka sa ating pagkatao. Kumbaga, meron tayong excuse na magkamali, maging tama o magpakabaliw. Lahat ay justified dahil sa kabataan. May isang eksena sa “Senior Year” sa volleyball court kung saan pinatamaan ng bola ang sosyalera at naospital pa ito. Mga ganito ang excuse na gusto kong i-highlight. Mga excuse na valid pang gawin kapag bata pa pero hindi na nararapat kapag sumapit na sa adulthood. Ang maganda lang sa pelikula, hindi nito binigyan ng tuldok kung hanggang saan dapat mag-mature (o maging normal) ang isang tao. Kahit ang iilang eksena sa reunion ay hindi indikasyon na nakabalik nga nang buo ang mga karakter sa kani-kanilang sarili.

KONKLUSYON

Kakaunti ang mga pelikulang lokal man o foreign na tumalakay sa high school ang nagkaroon ng ganitong rekoleksyon at kontemplasyon sa akin. Hindi humimpil sa glitter ng kabataan ang pelikula. Hindi ito ipinagdiwang at mas lalong hindi ito itinama. Walang opresyon, socio-political relevance at kung anu-ano pang statement. Mas nagtanong ito kesa nagpaliwanag. Pagdating sa dulo, ang gusto lang tanungin ng pelikula ay ang konsepto ng pagbalik sa isang bahagi ng buhay na hindi pa buo at sadyang marupok pa. Sapat na ba itong conviction sa kung ano ang meron tayo ngayon? O ang buhay, kamukha ng isang klase sa high school, ay isang constant learning?

Kiliti ng Isang High School Student

4C
Produksyon: Philippine Stagers Foundation (PSF)
Direksyon: Vincent M. Tañada
Mandudula: Jomar Bautista (Fan), Vincent Tañada (Romeo Loves Juliet), Alex Dorola (Judas’ Lair) at Patrick Libao (Felipa)
Mga Nagsiganap: Kierwin Larena, Glory Ann Nacional, Jordan Ladra, Vincent Tañada, atbp.

ISTORYA

Isang koleksyon ng apat na one-act play ang pagtatanghal. Upang magkaroon ng isang nagbibigkis na tema, lahat ay tumalakay sa pag-ibig. Ang “Fan” ay tungkol sa isang batang bakla na humahanga nang head-over-heels sa kanyang paboritong pop icon. Sinilip naman ng “Romeo Loves Juliet” ang mundo ng eyeball at cyber romance. Pag-ibig sa bayan ang gustong sundutin ng “Judas’ Lair” samantalang inter-racial affair naman ang tinahak ng “Felipa”. Ang bawat act ay sinabawan ng ilang dance number at monologo tungkol sa ilang pananaw sa pag-ibig.

HALO-HALONG PALABAS

Hinabol ko ang napakaagang (8am) staging sa Cinema 9 ng SM City – North EDSA. Hindi pa talaga bukas ang mall ng ganitong oras at hindi gan’un kadali ang ma-interogate ng babaeng guwardyang nakapinid sa side entrance. Bakit daw wala pa akong ticket. Dapat daw ay kinontak ko na ang eskwelahan. Dito pa lang ay alam ko na ang target audience ng produksyon. Huli kong naramdaman ang ganitong agam-agam noong manood ako ng “Noli Me Tangere” ng Gantimpala Foundation dati nang mapagkalaman ako na isang titser sa high school. Inaasahan ko na na ang mga ganitong pagtatanghal ay tumatarget lamang sa mga estudyante at pinatunayan naman ito sa dami ng mga nanood mula sa Bestlink Colleges.

Sa loob ng teatro, naabutan kong naglelektyur ang isa sa mga staff ng PSF tungkol sa inaasahang respeto at disiplina mula sa mga manonood. Ganito rin ang umpisa n’ung mapanood ko ang kanilang “Enzo Santo”. At muli, nalungkot ako na kinakailangang gawin ang mga ganitong paalala sa art appreciation para sa mga mag-aaral, mga paalalang una kong inaasahang naituro na dapat ng mga magulang at mga guro.

Nagdilim ang teatro sa takdang oras ng pagtatanghal. Bumulaga ang mga performer suot ang isang post-apocalyptic get-up at umindayog sa isang trance music (dispensa pero ang una kong naisip ay ang mga contestant sa “Showtime”). Pagkatapos nito ay ipinakilala ang “leading man” ng PSF na si Kierwin Larena at nagbigay ng kanyang pananaw tungkol sa pag-ibig bago ipakilala ang unang dula (ganito ang itinakbo ng buong pagtatanghal: isang sayaw muna, monologo at one-act play na).

Hindi ko masyadong maintindihan ang gustong landasin ng “Fan”. Tungkol ba ito sa sekswalidad ng mga bata? Tungkol ba ito sa nag-uumapaw na pop culture? O tungkol sa isang busilak na pagkakaibigan ng dalawang bata? Sa aking pagkakaintindi, ang redeeming value na gustong sabihin ay, higit sa lahat, sa sekswalidad man o pagiging avid fan, mas nananaig ang pagkakaibigan. Siguro ay masyadong limitado ang iksi ng one-act play upang matalakay lahat ang mga nasabing tema.

Ang “Romeo Loves Juliet” naman ay gagana sana kung ginawa itong purong monologo mula sa pananaw ni Juliet na isang call center agent na hindi masyadong mapalad sa larangan ng pag-ibig. Muling pinaigting ang kanyang destiny ng isang pagkasawi na hindi masyadong nabigyan ng sapat na timbang at paliwanag. Sana’y mas pinalawig pa kung ano talaga ang kulay ng anino ni Romeo at hindi hinayaang nagtatanong ang mga tao kung ano ang kanyang mga pinaghuhugutan.

Isang retelling naman ng conflict sa pagitan ng magkaibang pananaw na political ng dalawang magkapatid ang binagtas ng “Judas’ Lair”. Ang una kong naisip ay ang Palanca-winning piece na “Sa Ngalan ng Ama” na sinulat ni Roberto Jose de Guzman. Gan’un din ang atake: politics, paternal, confrontation at trahedya. Promising sana ang pagkakasulat pero mukhang kailangang gupitin na ang mga punchline tungkol sa Lady Gaga song at Belo Medical Group. Hindi ito masyadong nagpakita ng focus at mas lalong hindi ito nakatulong sa tono ng dula. Malabo rin sa akin ang pag-devise ng confrontation scene sa harap ng burol at ng maraming tao.

Stand-out naman para sa akin ang huling dula tungkol sa eksorsismo ni “Felipa” na naganap sa turn of the century noong panahon ng mga Kastila. Ang staged na pagsapi ng demonyo ay isang magandang metaphor sa bawal na pag-iibigan ng isang Pinay at isang dayuhan. Bagama’t nadapa pa rin ito sa ilang gimik upang maabot ang target audience nito, nand’un pa rin ang kinang at ito ang mas mahalaga. Kung meron man akong hindi matanggap, ito na siguro ‘yung British accent ng aktor na si Jordan Ladra na gumanap bilang Kastila.

Malinaw naman para sa akin ang layunin ng PSF sa pagsasadula nitong 4C. Nais nilang magkaroon ng platform ang mga manunulat upang mai-showcase ang mga akda na maaaring hindi mag-qualify sa panlasa ng mga bumubuo ng Virgin Labfest sa CCP. Nais din nilang mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga high school students na magtanghal at mapaligaya sa pinakamabisang paraan upang makaiwas ang mga ito sa droga at kung ano pa mang bisyo (at ito para sa akin ang pinakaimportante). Hindi rin naman maiikailang isang ensayo ito para sa mga resident actor, stage manager, choreographer at costume designer ng PSF upang mapagbuti pa ang kanilang ginagawa. Sa katunayan, nandito pa rin naman sa 4C ang pangako ng mga nauna nilang produksyon. Maliksi pa rin ang choreography at maigting pa rin ang talent na pinamalas dito. Halimbawa, ang atake ni Kierwin Larena sa isang aktibista na namalagi sa US ay napakamental, kontrolado at tila isang malalim at tahimik na ilog. Mahusay rin si Glory Ann Nacional subalit kakarampot at stereotypical ang role na naibigay sa kanya. Ang gumanap na Romeo at Juliet ay nakasabay sa challenge ng emotional shift at blocking na nakakapagod. Pinag-aksayahan din naman ng panahon ang mga set at halata namang nage-enjoy ang audience nito at maging ang mga performer.

KONKLUSYON

Ang una kong impresyon ay maraming excess at palamuti ang 4C na kailangang isantabi. Nariyan ang paggamit ng mga good looking performers (na minsan ay kailangan pang gumiling at magpakilig). Nariyan ang nag-uumapaw na punchline mula sa script at maging sa direksyon. Nariyan ang theatrics na brutal na pinakita sa “Felipa” sa paggamit ng mga nahuhulog na picture frame at gumagalaw na mga upuan. At iba pa na ang tanging nais maabot ay ang kiliti ng target audience nito. Kung tutuusin, hindi gan’un kadali ang kanilang ginagawa dahil mahirap sabayan ang psyche at humor ng pangkaraniwang high school student ngayon. Ang mas mainam dito, seryoso silang makarating sa kabataan ang ligaya ng performing arts. Sa katunayan, magkakaroon sila ng libreng acting workshop sa mga nagnanais linangin ang kanilang talento sa pagganap. Siguro ay magmumukha rin namang pretentious kung sa isang iglap ay magtatanghal sila ng isang Shakespearean play sa kabuuhan ng teksto, konteksto at panahon nito. Pero hindi sana ito maging isang limitasyon pagdating ng panahon.

Este, Punta del Este

Most of the people who have gone through Uruguay claim that there are only three major tourist spots in the country that are worth visiting (and I hope to contest that someday): Montevideo, Colonia and Punta del Este.

I understand Montevideo for being on the list as it is the capital city where the presidential, senate and congress houses are seated. It also brags of its own huge ciudad vieja where some historic buildings are found plus the beautiful sunset in the rambla and a nice gastronomic haven in Mercado del Puerto. Colonia, on the other hand, has a small well maintained ciudad vieja with a lighthouse strategically erected to overlook Rio de la Plata (where a tiny Buenos Aires can be seen on a clear day). The oldest church in the country is also there and sunset is best enjoyed in the yacht port. As for Punta del Este, below is my share:

TAS D’VIAJE HOSTEL

Just like any other out-of-town trips from Montevideo, we took a COT bus from Tres Cruces Shopping/Bus Station (as its slogan suggests, is “where the country meets”). There are other options, of course, but I remember the guys in The Amazing Race – Season 5 taking the same bus company. The direct bus, one-way, costs us UYU 158 (or PHP 340) and we bought it two days prior to the trip. If I remember it correctly, there are two more COT busses going to Punta del Este for the 9:15am trip.



Weekend trip pictures here and the rest of the pictures of the hostel here.

Based on the atmosphere in Punta del Este, it seems like a hotel reservation is needed at least three days prior to the trip. It’s not peak season yet when we went there last November 27 – 28 weekend but I imagine the summer days in February to be so jam-packed with visitors. Out of the three options we had, we picked Tas D’Viaje Hostel probably because of location and availability of rooms with 10 – 12 dorm-like beds.

It’s strategically located roughly four blocks away from the central bus station in Punta del Este. From the same bus station, La Mano can be seen already. So we took a really quick stop there and walked to the hostel which is just along 24 St. (one of the main streets).

The hostel is, first and foremost, doesn’t remind us of the movie “Hostel”. Beside it is actually a sex shop, a notion that the hostel is probably a fun place. There’s a small gate on the right with a visible sign “RING” that points to a doorbell. Don’t try banging the gate as the guard dog Sargento might confront you. The lobby seems like a nest for surfers or backpackers or both. There’s a cozy couch, a big LCD TV and some magazines. The porteros are very friendly, to a point that you’ll mistake them for stranded backpackers. Kitchen is just beside the lobby where you can use the cooking ware and utensils if you wish to cook (breakfast is free, by the way). A few meters from the hostel is a supermarket (with a bakeshop inside it) that opens as early 9am and closes at midnight.

Going to the rooms will have you glance and adore the artwork almost everywhere. The walls are brightly painted and very warm to the eyes. We were only 10 but the room we got is good for 12. The 11th bunk bed belongs to an Aussie guy who stood our snoring at night and the occasional noise. Just like in other hostels, the toilet is common to all visitors. For the guys, it has two small rooms for toilet bowls and four shower rooms separated by a plastic glass divider and covered by shower curtains. True to its artsy feel, the toilet itself is charming. They have towels for rent at UYU 60 (PHP 129) each. Locker is for free so long as you bring your own small locks.

Rate is at UYU 358 (PHP 771) per person/day. I’ve only tried three hostels (one in Edinburgh and two in London) in my whole travel life and this one is definitely the best.

PLAYA DE LOS INGLESES



More snapshots of the beach here.

At past 12 noon, after settling in, we found ourselves strolling along the streets of Punta del Este hunting for food. We reached the Western side of the area facing Rio de la Plata and started browsing through a couple of restaurants there. We ended up in a make-your-own chiviteria which wasn’t so bad.

From there, we had a few blocks’ worth of walking, heading back to the Eastern side which is facing the Atlantic Ocean (so it’s river on the left and ocean on the right). It all began with a barefoot walk along the beach sand but we ended up setting up our mats and having a swim. Not all 10 of us swam (including me). It must be the temperature. It’s very cold. The rest braved it along with the giant waves that were enjoyed, too, by the surfers young and old.

The beach front we were at is called Playa de los Ingleses. It’s a stretch of fine but not so white sand. A Quicksilver event for surfers was being held that time but we were far from where the real action was (the announcements were in Spanish, anyway). Family and friends also gathered there enjoying the warm weather, having a stroll, a sunbath, a football game or just plain bumming around.

LA MANO


The rest of La Mano pictures here.

In the late afternoon, while the guys were probably playing some card games, I sneaked out and took a solo stroll near La Mano area. It was probably close to 6pm and the place was not occasionally busy. I managed to capture some pictures of it without anyone covering the view.

La Mano, by the way, is a sculpture by Mario Irrarazabal using mamposteria. It’s a giant structure of five fingers that represent a hand with the palm up, the last image that you can see from a drowning person. You have to be a bit far from the artwork to get the picture (otherwise, it looks like a polished Stonehenge piece up close). It’s put up in an elevated part of the sand in the playa and people in cars stop by from time to time just to take pictures. Just don’t ask me why the hell it is there and let’s just take it as a safety precaution.

CASAPUEBLO

The next day, we went to the highlight of the weekend trip (well, at least for me). The hotel/museum is used as the first pit stop in The Amazing Race – Season 5 (same season where the racers visited the Philippines). We went there by public transportation, particularly by COT bus. It’s the same bus that leaves for Montevideo and departure schedule is at every hour (return fares at UYU 68 or PHP 147). Taxis offer a back-and-forth transfer for UYU 1,000 (can accommodate four so it’s UYU 250 or PHP 538 each) and the taxi driver that I talked with mentioned that he’s willing to wait for 30 minutes (otherwise, we can just contact him for pick-up).

From the stop where the bus dropped us (the trip took roughly 15 to 20 minutes), we had to walk for two kilometers. There’s a good view of the city and other beach fronts along the way so the walk wasn’t boring at all. On our part for example, we stopped every ten minutes just to take pictures. I didn’t time the whole walking part but it probably took us 20 minutes to reach our destination.




More of Casapueblo pictures here.

Casapueblo is Carlos Páez Vilaró’s living sculpture that resembles those iconic white houses in Santorini, Greece with some hint of Gaudi’s signature domes. It’s primarily a hotel (an expensive one, I suppose) but it also has a museum with coffee shop. They charge UYU 120 (PHP 258) for the entrance but I think taking pictures from the outside should be fine. It is built in the remote Punta Ballena and romantically located on a hill facing the Atlantic Ocean. Beneath the grandeur of the place is a story about Vilaró’s son who is one of the survivors of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 that crashed in the Andes (the basis of Frank Marshall’s “Alive” in 1993).

The museum is not really a big one but it houses Vilaró’s extensive collection of paintings and sculptures. In the topmost floor is a specially designed (probably by Vilaró himself) audio-visual room where a short film about the man’s inspirations and life is played. The coffee shop leads to a veranda facing the Atlantic where sunset is best experienced.

More of Vilaró here.

We capped the weekend with a short trip to La Mano and a quick dinner at La Pasiva. The bus going back to Montevideo left at 8:15pm. It was also sunset time. I was probably smiling when I slept during our trip back to reality.

P.S. If we look tired on the pictures, blame the Friday night party that we attended to. Evidences here.

Kung Ako ang Nanalo ng P741 Million sa Lotto

Out of the blue lang ulit ‘tong blog na ‘to. Nabalitaan ko kasi na may nanalo na raw ng jackpot na pumatak ng P741 million. Heto ang mga unang pumasok sa isip ko:

1. Baka totoo ‘yung conspiracy theory ni manong driver dati na kontrolado raw ni PGMA ang pagkapanalo sa lotto. Wala raw naman talagang nananalo dahil kay Gloria bumabalik ang pera. Siguro ang point ni manong ay wala kasing nabo-broadcast na panalo. Naisip ko n’un eh kung ako ‘yung lotto winner, hindi ko ipagkakalat. Baka mautot ako sa pagpipigil ng isang major, major na sikreto;

2. Saan ko ba gagamitin ang P741 million? Hmm, una, magtatayo ako ng sariling kumpanya na maliit lang at well compensated ang mga empleyado. ‘Yung tipong wala akong maririnig na reklamo pagdating sa suweldo. Taun-taon, merong increase at ang summer outing ay sa dalawang lugar lang puwedeng gawin: either sa Boracay o sa Palawan;

3. Ikalawa, magta-travel ako around the world. Magme-meryenda ako ng lumpiang Shanghai sa Shanghai, magpapaluto ako ng lutong Macau sa Macau, I will walk like an Egyptian in Egypt, hindi ako magda-Dutch treat sa Netherlands at sa tuktok ng Mt. Everest kami magco-coffee break ni Scarlett Johansson;

4. Ikatlo, ipapasara ko ang pinakamalaking Disneyland para lang sa tatlo kong pamangkin at sa mga kaibigan nila;

5. Ikaapat, magtatayo ako ng sindikato na may sariling hustisya para sa mga corrupt na politiko. Galit-galit na lang muna. Para naman sa bayan eh;

6. Pero sa totoo lang, nakakatakot sigurong magkaroon ng gan’un kalaking halaga. Baka maging sakim naman akong masyado. I mean, masaya na ako sa mga biyayang meron ngayon. Nakakakain pa naman ako nang tama sa oras at nabibili ko pa naman ang mga munting bagay na kailangan ko (at ilang kakarampot na luxury kamukha ng sine); at

7. Baka mawalan ako ng kaibigan kapag yumaman ako. ‘Yung totoong kahulugan ng kaibigan ha, hindi ‘yung nariyan lang kapag mataas ang sikat ng araw. O ‘yung present lang kapag gumuguho na ang mundo nila kapag merong problema. Masaya na ako sa klase ng mga kaibigan ko ngayon.

Scenes from the Asado Night

The rest of the pics here.

Return to Colonia

The rest of the pics here and here.

Notes from the Noveno Festival de Cine de Montevideo

The 9th Montevideo Film Festival held from October 22 to 31 in four cinemas (one of it is in Punta Carretas Shopping which is just near our apartment while the other is in Montevideo Shopping, a bigger one, which is reachable by cab) just concluded quietly. It’s not really a big event (at least for a non-Spanish speaker like me). I didn’t even see filmmakers hanging around the lobby before and after each screening but I heard about affording an awarding ceremony. For me, it’s just a screening of films (like renting a bunch of videos and have it projected on a big screen) if you know what I mean.

Though limited to malls and downtown cinemas, the set-up is similar to Belfast Film Fest where a lot of venues are used like mall cinema, university film center, performance stage and even a yacht (where they screened “Yellow Submarine” roughly five or six years ago). For sure, it’s bigger than Brussels Film Fest where only two cinemas are used for the whole duration but to be fair, the Belgian event is always well attended by Filipinos.

Tickets at UYU 80 each or PHP 166 but you can get a “cuponera 10 entradas” for UYU 500 (PHP 1,036) which will make each film UYU 50 only. The thing with their “cuponera” is that you can get, say, five tickets for the same film (I’m not sure if they do that in Cinemalaya and the rest).

Film selection varies from Zhang Yimou (“A Simple Noodle Story”), Alain Resnais (“Wild Grass”) and even Jean-Pierre Jeunet (“Micmacs”). There are also films that I am not sure why it’s in there, be it because it’s so ten years ago or otherwise, but I cannot complain. The list of films below is not much. For a festival that is organized mainly for the locals, non-English films are always subtitled in Spanish.

Anyway, the rundown and some comments:

Ben Affleck’s “The Town” (2010) Don’t ask me why a recent mainstream movie from Hollywood is there but I enjoyed it. The film is still showing after the festival so I saved at least 50 bucks. Nothing grand about the movie aside from humanizing bank robbers but it is reassuring to know that Ben Affleck can direct. Hopefully Jeremy Renner could hit an Oscar for best supporting role.

Scott Hicks’ “The Boys Are Back” (2009) The film is based on the memoir of Australian sportswriter Simon Carr about the death of his wife and the coping he needs to endure along with his two sons (one of it is from his first wife that he hasn’t met for a long time). I can say that it’s a good family drama. I am not sure if I have seen a melodrama before driven by three male characters but this one’s very effective. Mainstream, yes, but it’s really well made. It’s good to finally see a Scott Hicks movie again done in his home base.

Steve Buscemi’s “The Interview” (2007) Reminiscent of films that tell a story over a night with minimal characters like Emman dela Cruz’ “Sarong Banggi”, Francis Veber’s “The Dinner Game” and Joven Tan’s “Magdamag”. Stagey it may look but I enjoyed the outwitting part between a sports editor and a soap opera star. This is not a good barometer to check whether Steve Buscemi could direct or not but being engaged to two opposing characters is something.

Brian de Palma’s “Redacted” (2007) I don’t think I have seen all Brian de Palma films but for sure, those that I have watched, this film is one of the weakest on the list. It’s an anti-war movie set against the backdrop of the US troops stationed in post-911 Iraq. I think the intention is there. It’s just that use of real time and the gimmickry over video cameras to achieve the authenticity of the ravages of war do not work.

Stephen Low’s “Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D” (2010) This one totally made me forget that I was in the middle of a film festival. Could be mistaken as a tourism ad-campaign promoting the beautiful islands of Tahiti but I don’t mind. It’s good to have an ice breaker from time to time, a jaw-dropping one to be exact. Not as structured as expected for a travel documentary but the animation used is awesome and the 3D images are just mesmerizing. It gets boring at some point but just like a day at the beach front on a clear sky, relaxing is the sole option.

Rachid Bouchareb’s “London River” (2009) It’s my sixth film for the festival and this is the first one that brought me back to my senses. This Berlin Film Festival-winning film talks about two parents who lost their children from the London bombing in 2005. Coming from different social and religious backgrounds, the two started a bit off and later on surrendered to the comforting notion that they’ve got nothing else to turn to in time of loss. The film tries to make a connection between the tragedies like a terrorist attack and the bond that happens between two individuals of opposing assents. The great Brenda Blethyn provides some lachrymal histrionics complemented by the subtle, almost quiet, acting advances from Sotigui Kouyate.

Anton Corbijn’s “The American” (2010) George Clooney has been doing excellent films lately. What’s so good about it is that his recent films do not have to be too artsy or too mainstream, just something in the middle. This film is packaged as an action/suspense where the Mr. Clooney plays an assassin who is hibernating in Castel del Monte in Italy after a mission in Sweden failed. Compared to other Hollywood-produced films, pacing is not in a hurry. It maturely captures the emptiness of the gunman’s life while still keeping its focus on the action/suspense genre. I can’t divulge much of the ending but I like the unexpected poetry that comes with the execution.

Ethan Maniquis and Robert Rodriguez’ “Machete” (2010) Violent and campy. What else can I say about this movie? Sure it’s fun. The orchestrated foolishness works for me and so is the line “We did not cross the border, the border crossed us!” I guess a capsule review is not worth it. Just go and watch it.

Movie Digest # 076

CHLOE
Glorietta 4, Cinema 5, August 5, 7:20pm

The only Atom Egoyan film I’ve seen, I think, is “The Sweet Hereafter” (1997) which is very much different from “Chloe”. The former is focused and very disciplined when it comes to storytelling, not to mention the control it has over its slow paced sequences. “Chloe”, given the genre, is reachable. Think of a Hollywood suspense movie back in the 90’s and this one, when compared, fares very well. Then there’s Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore who always shine in every scene, be it mainstream or otherwise. I think the disappointing part is that it attempts to discuss a mouthful of things like fidelity, obsession and a dash of homosexuality, all wrapped in a familiar rollercoaster ride. The resolution is a bit tacky so don’t expect a light at the end of the tunnel.

Friends who might appreciate it: Atom Egoyan fans, period.

THE GHOST WRITER
Glorietta 4, Cinema 5, August 5, 10:30pm

I’m glad to be reminded that the great Roman Polanski still does movies from time to time. He has to. Taking cinema this serious is starting to be obsolete. The film involves the life of a ghost writer who is tasked to complete an unfinished job by a writer who passed away. He then realizes that the memoir of the former British Prime Minister he is working for is more than meets the eye. What follows is a series of unfortunate events done in a very Hithcock-ish manner. I can say that it’s one of the best filmmaking I’ve seen so far from a major studio this year. There’s great acting (from Ewan Mc Gregor down to Oscar-worthy performance of Olivia Williams in a supporting role). Editing is also awesome. It’s one of those films that you start to appreciate this aspect of cinema. Pacing is also very un-Hollywood to a point that you’ll find some of it very dragging. But it’s worth the wait. The ending justifies the means.

Friends who might appreciate it: Those who know Roman Polanski’s reputation.

BROOKLYN’S FINEST
Punta Carretas Shopping, Cines Hoyts – Sala 2, September 4, 10:10pm

If it’s from Antoine Fuqua, we all know that it’s about cops and their ability to be evil. This one is no different. It tackles the interconnecting lives of three Brooklyn policemen wrestling with their own shadows. One is retiring and with a dark past, and is about to unravel his biggest job ever. One is a family man who will launder money in the best way he can just to give his pregnant wife and kids a better life. The third one is a good cop but is morally challenged after a friend is murdered. All the three characters collide as they try to salvage their own sanity. After getting out of the cinema, I felt relieved that I don’t live in Brooklyn. The film creates a gloomy picture of that side of NYC in the way that even the people that you should trust the most are depicted as something vulnerable. Storytelling-wise, this is more ambitious than “Training Day” which is focused on a simpler yin-yang story. I can say that beyond being dragging at times, the film still manages to hit the spot.

Friends who might appreciate it: Those who wish to see Richard Gere play a twisted character.

RESIDENT EVIL 4: AFTERLIFE
Montevideo Shopping, Movie Center - Sala 3D, September 18, 8:20pm

First things first, I haven’t seen the first two sequels. What I remember from the original is a gruesome scene of a body being cut by a collapsing elevator. This zombie film still has all the perks of the first one only with fewer fireworks. Cinematography is still an eye candy (especially if they can get rid of some of the slow-mo) and so is Milla Jovovich.

Friends who might appreciate it: Video game fanatics.

WALL STREET 2: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS
Punta Carretas Shopping, Cines Hoyts – Sala 2, September 26, 7:40pm

After serving his term from the prison (which he got from the first movie), Gordon Gekko returns to the industry that he once held by the balls. As the title of the sequel suggests, greed is still king. This time around, people get to know the value of family ties over money. I am not sure why the movie has to have a sequel. I mean, the first one is good and probably one of those Hollywood films that could seriously define the 80’s. Gekko has even become an icon among stock brokers and traders. And here comes a sequel that is bound to correct the image? Don’t get me wrong. The movie is fine with me especially with the presence of the great Michael Douglas. It’s a delight to see him own the movie to a point that he most of the time overshadows his co-actors Shia LaBeouf and Carey Mulligan. I just don’t understand one particular scene where everything is Star Cinematic. Maybe they could have done something more subtle than that. Furthermore, here’s hoping, too, that a Filipino film this well researched would be conceived in the future.

Friends who might appreciate it: Not necessarily those who watched and liked the first one.

EAT PRAY LOVE
Punta Carretas Shopping, Movie Center – Sala C, October 10, 4:35pm

This episodic Ryan Murphy (one of the creators of “Glee”) film based on the bestselling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert tackles the life of a woman who files for a divorce and decides to travel to some parts of the world. By episodic, I really mean episodic. “Eat” part has Liz enjoying the Italian gastronomy. “Pray” has her look at her inner self somewhere in India. “Love” is about an expected love affair in the beautiful Bali. The wanderlust in me says that the material is good. It’s all about travelling and the joys that come along with it, a good reminder that discovering a new place is a far better experience than reading a book. I also believe that Elizabeth Gilbert is a great person inside and out. The thing with the film adaptation is that it’s too Julia Roberts. I’m guessing that having a hit TV series producer/director helm this project is like aiming for a blockbuster. In that aspect, it won’t disappoint.

Friends who might appreciate it: Those who can name other good verbs.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK
Punta Carretas Shopping, Movie Center – Sala A, October 16, 8:00pm

Some would easily comment that this film is all about Facebook and its creator Mark Zuckerberg. For me, it’s about creating a beautiful monster out of a single emotion. I don’t know about Greek mythology but I find it too allegorical. Out of frustration to keep the girl he adores, Mark Zuckerberg creates the famous social network website in the same manner an author writes an angsty novel or a rocker creates an emo music. With the help of machinations he meets along the way, everything comes into fruition. The website now enjoys more than 500 million subscribers as of July 2010. But the movie is saying something else. It doesn’t give in to social commentaries like the psyche of too much Facebooking but it tells how the creator is defeated by its creation. My take is that we need to be too wary about our actions and that maturity is expected in situations that deal with emotions. It’s like getting drunk after a break-up. You should know how to crawl back to your shell without hitting a lamppost or something.

Friends who might appreciate it: Friendster, Twitter and Plurk users alike.