Director's Showcase: Posas (Film Review)

Posas

Film Language Review

The film “Posas” by Lawrence Fajardo was a great success for me because it really showed the underbelly of society and its gruesome truth. No words can express how much this film has shown me the grimy, dirty details of corruption that operates our nation and society today.

            The film’s use of camera angles from medium shots, close-ups, long shots and the extremes told the story on so many different levels. Like how the camera closes up on Jestoni Biag’s, also known as Jess in the film, face where only the eyes are seen shows the fear, anticipation and the anxiety all rolled into one with one camera shot. The long shots used and the panning showed the chase scene between Grace and Jess showed the hopelessness and pointlessness of the chase because of the many people. It also showed the emotions of all the characters through the lens whenever the police were shown because it gave them authority and it made the other characters and prisoners seem small compared to them.

           

            The movement of the cameras whether panning or tracking showed which points of view the scene was being shown. Like how they would track along with the policeman or Jess during the chase up, down and around the alleyways showed the intricate placement of the location and how tight and cramped it must’ve been and it made us feel like we were there running alongside the personas.

            The lighting was pretty dark which showed that the scenes weren’t all bright and happy because it was the reality of it all. The darkness of the torture room where Jess was gagged and drowned and soaked in reflected the darkness of how they treated the prisoners and the part where they tortured the poor man who was chained. It showed also the darkness of the alleyways which revealed the many unknown things that happen there.

            Lastly, the mise en scene. The placement of the characters in each scene, although unnoticeable, showed a lot of things. Like, the glasses in the first part which enabled Grace to see that she was being targeted by a pick-pocket and the mere location of the home of whoever Jess sold the phone to showed the hidden and underworld society that they are part of.

Posted by: Micia Roxas of 202A

Movie Review - New Breed and Director's Choice

            
           
           New Breed - Ang Katiwala

           Ruben (Dennis Trillo) is a carpenter in a small town who lost his job to someone else. Desperate to make money for the necessities of his family, he goes to Manila to be a caretaker. Soon he finds out that the previous owner of the house was Manuel L. Quezon, former the President of the Philippines.

 Shortly after his stay, he was interviewed by a TV reporter if he knew anything about Manuel Quezon. Ruben was ashamed to admit that he knows little to nothing about the former president. He was disturbed by this fact so he started reading a book he found in the attic about the life of Quezon. With nothing much to do except clean and look after the house, Ruben inevitably starts to be captivated by the life and accomplishments of Manuel Quezon. All he talked about was Quezon’s life and accomplishments to his only friend in the house Gimo, the night-shift security guard.    

Due to the massacre that occurred in the house he was housekeeping, he had lost his job and had no choice but to return to his family in Zambales. Unluckily, his family also lost the right to the farm. “Ang Katiwala” showed how hard life is especially to those who lacked education. The quote that was repeated several times in the movie is, “I would rather have a country run like hell by Filipinos than a country run like heaven by the Americans, because however bad a Filipino government might be, we can always change it.” — Manuel Luis Quezon. 

Director's Choice

       The main theme of the movie is “friendship”. The death of Mariel left such a crushing blow to her three closest friends. She left a box full of her diaries for her best friend Carla. Despite the many warnings Carla received from their closest friends Sandra and Olive, she still read Mariel’s diaries thinking there was a reason why Mariel left them for her.

         There are things that you don’t talk about but it’s still there and sometimes it rears its ugly head. There are those things that should remain a secret. When Carla started reading the diaries about her and their friends, she was completely shell-shocked and insisted that they also read it. There were comments and things kept from one another. The film is about accepting who your friends are even though you don’t like their actions, attitudes, and decisions in life. In the end, it’s all about forgiving your friends despite the differences you have with one another because they stay by your side when you need them the most.

         Before Mariel died, she asked Carla if she was happy with her life and it seemed that it wasn’t contented. As quoted from the film, “there are friends that you became your friends since they 

are already there so they are almost by 
default without any choice your friends (friends of friends) while there are some friends whom you have chosen to become friends with that is why your are friends”. 

New Breed: The Animals (Film Review)

The Animals

Elements of A Story Review

As I watched the movie “The Animals”, I honestly thought that the first few shots showed the introduction of the characters and their personalities. Like how one girl is constantly combing her hair, a male character memorizing what seemed to be initiation facts and smoking weed while another male was concerned with how he looked, these scenes showed that the characters that we were dealing with were part of the upper class because of the environment they were in, the type of rooms, the mere fact that the boy could afford weed and the physique of the personas showed the audience who they were. This was then strengthened with the giving of the allowances and the talk of parties that the siblings Trina and Alex would attend and the lead Jake would host. The list goes on and on about the characters and how they were constantly portrayed as the privileged youth of today and how they would soon turn into the animals that they truly were with their generation and the social web that they themselves weaved.

            Basically, the story is about the world of socialite high school students who live their lives partying, becoming parts of fraternities, indulging in vices and abusing their parents’ money. As I have said, the introduction of the story is when the students and the main characters are introduced and are shown through the various actions that they were doing. At first, they all seemed like the nice but not necessarily innocent kids who partied but then didn’t go to the extremes. When we saw Trina stealing and her brother Alex memorizing for the fraternity, it showed that they were much more than the images that they were showing to their mother. When we meet the other cast members, we see that they are the type of students who live the nightlife and who splurge on vices and parties that occur within the social world. The progression of the story starts when we see the rising action where Alex is seen with the fraternity members and the initiation that he had to go through, Trina and her friends start to have problems at the party because of their excessive drinking and Jake getting it on with another woman. Another rising action is when Jake’s best friend tries to drug Trina with ecstasy and Trina escapes and stands alone in a dark street with no lights.

            For me, the climax is when Trina gets raped; Jake gets into a fight with Trina and when Alex beat up an innocent guy because of the master’s instructions. What’s sort of different about this film is that you can barely tell the falling action and the conclusion apart from each other but for me, the falling action is when Trina’s rapist gets hold of her belongings and hangs her necklace on the rearview mirror to show that the deed has been done and that all hope is lost. The conclusion is that Jake is clueless of what happened to her girlfriend and Alex apologizes to their mother. What really did it for me is the fact that the last frame of the movie was the corpse of Trina lying around in the grass behind some concrete construction cylinders or tubes that signified the consequences of their decisions and the conclusion of the story.

Me with Albie Casiño

Me and my friend with Bryan Homecillo

Posted by: Micia Roxas of 202A

Movie Review(Bwakaw and Sta. Niña)

New Breed: Sta. Niña(Emmanuel Palo)


          Sta. Niña was all about love and forgiveness. The story revolved around the life of Pol; an ordinary guy who fell in love with his cousin, Madel, had a child with her and was eventually condemned by his family and the society. His daughter, Marikit, however, died of Meningitis when she was only a baby. They put Marikit in a casket but were later on separated from her parents because of the explosion of Mt. Pinatubo. And that’s only when the story begins.

     The setting of the film was in Pampanga, 10 years after the explosion of Mt. Pinatubo. The intro of the film showed Pol doing his work in the area where the lahar had passed by 10 years ago. 3 kids were playing within the vicinity when all of a sudden, they saw a casket. The kids had called the attention of the workers, including Pol, and all of them were stunned to see the body of the baby still not decomposed. Pol knew it was his daughter, Marikit, so he took the casket and brought it home. From there, people started coming to Pol’s house, believing that the body of Marikit was miraculous; having compared Marikit to St. Claire whose body was also not decomposed. The rising action of the film was when diseases were getting healed and more people were coming over to Pol’s house to pray to Marikit. It was that part when complications from Pol and his family arose. Madel, the mother of Marikit and Pol’s cousin, only wanted her child to have a decent burial. She believes that Marikit came back because there wasn’t any closure at all. Sister Josefa, Pol’s sister, refuses to believe of Marikit’s powers to heal people.  Having entered the convent, Sister Josefa only believes in the power of God. Both Madel and Sister Josefa are against Pol’s idea of displaying Marikit’s body in public. It was also the part when Madel’s mom insisted that none of her workers shall set foot in Pol’s house, otherwise they’d get fired. Then Pol decided to take Marikit to the parish church to have her blessed as a saint. The church refused, insisting that it’s not that easy and there should be facts. The people who claimed to have been healed by Marikit are not enough. The climax of the film was when Pol decided to join the men who will be put on the cross during the Holy Week. It was a tradition, but it was Pol’s first time to do such, believing that it will be his ticket to forgiveness from the people he had hurt over the years. On the way to the mountain, Pol was joined by some of his friends. Madel, despite the fight she and Pol had prior to the procession, had joined Pol and carried Marikit. Abel, Madel’s brother, decided to help as well, regardless of his mom’s orders. When they reached the little mountain, it was evident that the scene resembled the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in the bible. It was an emotional scene. It was when the flashback took place. It was shown how Pol and Madel fell in love, how Marikit came to the world, how the Madel and Pol braved the world despite the condemnation of their family and the society and how they were also separated. When Pol was put on the cross, his Lola Bining came and due to intense heat, and probably her emotions as well, she fell down. Madel, who was carrying Marikit’s casket, came to help Lola Bining and the casket was thrown down to the ground. That’s when the falling action takes place. When the casket fell on the ground, Marikit’s body suddenly decomposed. With a blink of an eye, what seemed to be the “fresh” body of Marikit turned into a skeleton. According to the director, Emmanuel Palo, the decomposition of Marikit’s body symbolizes that it was only Pol who hadn’t fully forgiven himself. That is why he saw the casket of Marikit; it was telling him that he had been forgiven, and that it was time to move on. The film ended with a scene showing Pol and Madel visiting Marikit at the cemetery. Madel told Pol that the latter had been living in the past for 10 years. That’s why he couldn’t forgive himself. But now that everything is over, it was time to move on and start anew.

Director's Showcase: Bwakaw(Jun Robles Lana)

    Bwakaw is a story of a gay man named Rene (played by Eddie Garcia) who had grown old and had nobody else but his dog, Bwakaw. The film usually used the wide-angle lens and long shot position for the reason that the director wanted the audience to see how the surrounding and the characters affect one another. The extreme long shot position was only used once, if I remember it correctly. It was only brought into play when they showed Rene walking along the road after Bwakaw had died. That particular scene depicted how alone Rene felt because of the death of his beloved dog. The Mise En Scene in the film was the house. It was old, quiet and almost rubbish. It depicted the life of Rene. He was alone, had no relative near-by, always grumpy and, according to him, age was flipping out on him. There was also a scene where the lights in Rene’s house all went out, representing, again, his life that seemed to be losing all its colors. He had already packed all his things and had made his last will, believing that he would die anytime soon. But when he met Rez Cortez’s character, Sol, his life started flourish once again. And another Mise En Scene was when Sol had fixed all the lights in the house. It showed how Rene’s life becoming colorful again because of Sol. Most of the time, the director used the natural light. Since the film was usually shot outdoors, the director took advantage of the sun’s light.

     Generally, I'd say the film was great. Not only did it have a wonderful cinematography and plot, it showed everyone that life doesn't end until your heart stops beating. You don't stop living just because you're old and alone. Life still creates little wonders even when you're old.


Cristina Marie M. Cordero
202A

MOVIE REVIEW- "BWAKAW" and "INTOY SYOKOY"

BWAKAW

DIRECTED BY: JUN ROBLES LANA
Finalist, Directors Showcase
2012 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition

 Casts:

Eddie Garcia as Mang Rene              

Princess as Bwakaw                           

Rez Cortez as Sol, a maton tricycle driver    

Gardo Versoza as Father Eddie

Armida Reyna as Alicia, the ex girlfriend of Mang Rene

Soxy Topacio childhood friend of Mang Rene,  Zaldy

Joey Paras as Tracy

Beverly Salviejo as fanatical neighbor Nitang

Luz Valdez as lonely mother Melba

Rene is a gay man who came out of the closet at age 70. Ailing in his twilight years, he thinks it is now too late for love, even companionship, and that all there is to look forward to his Death. He has made a will, bequeathing his few possessions to his even fewer friends. Everything is packed and labeled, ready for distribution. He has even paid for a coffin, taking advantage of a funeral home’s Summer Sale. Nowadays the only companion Rene has is Bwakaw, a stray dog that hangs around his house and follows him wherever he goes. As Rene waits for the day of his death, he gets the surprise of his life when it is Bwakaw who suddenly falls ill. And from there, he became close with one of the tricycle drivers in the town, Sol. They go together every time Bwakaw has to have a check-up.  Sol even had a sleep over at Mang Rene’s house; they eat together, clean the house together, and drink together. Then the night has come that Bwakaw died. So Mang Rene and Sol were only left in the house. Finally Mang Rene got inlove with Sol. While Sol was sleeping, Mang Rene kissed Sol. Sol woke up and was so surprised of what happened. He left Mang Rene because he knows Mang Rene is a gay.

http://pinoyrebyu.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/bwakaw/

I. Director’s way of explaining the events of the story

Director Jun Robles Lana portrayed the events of the movie by using the basic plot with the sequence:

1. Introduction- Mang Rene was all alone in the house with his dog sleeping downstairs, named Bwakaw. And there was Mang Rene's neighbor who has a grandchild who suffers from lung cancer. His neighbor borrowed the holy indulgence that Mang Rene has, and while he was talking to Rene, he said that his dog, Bwakaw, doesn't even know how to  bark. He said he used to stay downstairs where Bwakaw stays too, but Bwakaw didn't give even a single bark . Mang Rene's neighbor came back to his house to give thanks because the grandchild survived from cancer, but as Mang Rene opens the door, it seems that he was so irritated.

(In this scene, Mang Rene, and Bwakaw were introduced. Bwakaw as a silent dog, and Mang Rene as a bad-tempered old man.)

Mang Rene and Bwakaw were on the road, waiting for a tricycle to ride on. And there he met Sol, a maton tricycle driver who forces Mang Rene to pay for his dog  too.

(In this scene, Sol was being introduced)

Mang Rene and Bwakaw went to the parlor. And there was the owner of the parlor, Zaldy, a childhood friend of Mang Rene.

(Zaldy was being introduced

- Characters are introduced by different scenarios that are connected to one another.

2. Rising Action- Mang Rene became close with Sol because of Sol’s help to rescue Bwakaw at the veterinarian. They used to be always together . Until one night in Mang Rene’s house, the two friends were talking about why Mang Rene stayed single. Mang Rene answered in a naughty way. They were drinking alcohol by that time and suddenly fell into sleep.

(complications came)

3. Climax- . After several hours, Mang Rene woke up. Then when he stood up, he went back to sit and stare at the face of Sol. Then suddenly, Mang Rene kissed Sol on the lip. Not just once, but a lot of times.Sol woke up because of unusual feeling that bothers him.

(This part has the highest tension)

4. Falling Action- He shouted at Mang Rene saying that Mang Rene is a gay. The expression of the face of Mang Rene was like he really doesn’t know what to say. And then, Sol went downstairs, went in to his tricycle and left Mang Rene.

(End of resolution)

4. Ending- Mang Rene was walking outside and saw Sol riding in his tricycle. Sol doesn’t even offer a ride with Mang Rene.There is no Sol for Mang Rene at all, even his dog Bwakaw.

II. Editing

- The movie flow smoothly from scene to scene.

A. Lightning

- Diffusion was being used when Mang Rene and Bwakaw was on the seaside. This is to increase the drama of Mang Rene, being all alone.

B. Camera Movements

-Tracking was being used when the tricycle hurries up to go to the veterinarian. This is to show the speed of the tricycle as it goes.

C. Camera Position

- Long shot is used for introducing Mang Rene and Bwakaw. They were on the road, waiting for a tricycle to ride on. In this scene, it shows that Bwakaw was so attached with Mang Rene.
Long shot is used when Mang Rene threw off Sol's cup of coffee. This is to emphasize how the cup broke down.

Long shot is also used when Minda saw the delivery of Mang Rene’s coffin. The purpose of this is to show how the boys lift the coffin, or simply their body movements.

- Close up was being used as Mang Rene gets his face closer to Sol’s. This is to increase the thrill.

- Medium shot was being used is used when Mang Rene lied into his coffin. This is to show how comfortable Mang Rene was (as what he had said in the movie)

Medium shot was also being used while Mang Rene goes to the priest. This is to also to consider showing the list or last will that Mang Rene holds in his hand.

D. Camera Angles

- High angle was being used when Bwakaw and Mang Rene sleeps together. This is to show the whole body of Bwakaw as it goes weak until she dies.

-  Eye level was being used when Mang Rene talks with Father Eddie about his last will.

Eye level was alsobeing used when Mang Rene and Sol were talking about Mang Rene’s life.

-Low angle is used when the friends of Mang Rene were crying over him. This is to show how they bent their upper body down as they touch the coffin.

III. Costume and Props- clothing choices fit the style of the movie. They contributed to the overall tone of the movie.

            A. Tricycle- symbolizes as the start of the friendship of Mang Rene and Sol

            B. Blanket- symbolizes the ear ending of Bwakaw

            C. Coffin – symbolizes the waiting of Mang Rene to his death.

            D. Oranges – symbolizes Mang Rene’s care to his ex girlfriend, Alicia.

            D. Alcohol (drink) - symbolizes the deep friendship of Mang Rene and Sol.

                                         -  also symbolizes the secret feelings of Mang Rene to Sol.

IV. Evaluation

The script is good. It is somehow dedicated to elders and gays. Eddie Garcia was a very good actor. He did his best to play his role. He came along with using gay words to fit into the theme of the movie, and he said it very well. The Parloristas were entertaining; they gave a lot of laughter to the audience.  And of course, Bwakaw, acted very nice. The audience felt the loyalty of Bwakaw to Mang Rene.

The movie shows real life situations and on how their life is being. Plus, the movie gives the audience the value of respect to the elders, bad-tempered or not. It also has the moral of taking a chance; don't the things/people you have in your life for granted.

INTOY SYOKOY NG KALYE MARINO

DIRECTED BY LEMUEL C. LORCA
Finalist, New Breed Full Length Feature Category
2012 CINEMALAYA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION

Casts:  

JM de Guzman as Intoy Syokoy

LJ Reyes as a Doray

Joross Gamboa, Arnold Reyes, Roy Alvarez, Kristoffer King, Richard Quan, Angela Ruiz, Jacob Miller, Ricky Pascua, Redgie Jimenez, Justin de Leon, and Kenneth Salva.

Intoy has had the hots for Doray since they were kids in Kalye Marino, Cavite City, formerly the American Naval Base in Sangley Point.  Both marginalized as the long-lasting effect of American abandonment of the said base, Intoy has become Kalye Marino’s best “tahong” caretaker-with-no-angst-about-poverty, while Doray a cheap prostitute-with-no-guilt, tending to her siblings’ needs.  Intoy strives to have his own cages of “tahong” so he can have Doray, not for just a night of quickie sex, but forever.

http://www.cinemalaya.org/film_intoy-syokoy.htm

I. Director’s way of explaining the events of the story

Director Lemuel Lorca portrayed the events of the movie by using the basic plot with the sequence:

1. Introduction

There were a group of friends in the Kalye Marino that was celebrating.  Their different lives were showed as well. The circle of friends were always together, almost every night that they drink and talk about their problems in life, such as the future that they will go into, how their family left them, how they survive in each day, and of course, they also talk about Intoy’s toomuch care to their friend, Doray.

(In this scene, talking about their lives were also as to introducing theirselves)

2. Rising Action

Intoy’s father was too much drunk because he caught his wife having sex with another wife. Because of too much alcohol Intoy’s fathers lose control that lead him into an accident. Her mother left her after the incident leading into Intoy’s independent life.  While on the other hand, Intoy's friends has a problem too, like one of the father of Intoy's friends was beheaded, the other was pulled out of their house, then Doray became a prostitute.

Intoy planned to commit a suicide, then.

(In this scene, complications came)

3. Climax

Because of too much problem and pain, Intoy drowns himself in the water.

(In this scene, the highest tension was felt, the audience has 50-50 in their minds whether Intoy will die or will still continue his life)

4. Falling Action 

Intoy’s friends comforted him and told him not to give up. Inot moved on to his problems in life and chose to continue. Suddenly, he liked Doray and is willing to take her out of Kalye Marino even knowing Doray is a prostitute and has a disease.

(Solutions came)

4. Ending

Eventhough Doray has a disease; still Intoy chose to be with her.

II.  Editing

- The movie flow smoothly from scene to scene.

A. Lightning

- Intensity of the lightwas being used in exposing the Kalye Marino to focus on the environment.

- Diffused light was being used to show the dramatic scenario. There is no contrast between the two front planes. Instead, start the lighting slowly, one light at a time. This light was used when Jm De Guzman and Lj Reyes were talking about their lives at the seaside.

B. Camera Movements

- In the beginning, the Kalye Marino is introduced. The movement of the camera was panning, in order to show the image of the sea.

C. Camera Position

- Medium shot was being used in introducing the characters which was seen during the birthday celebration of one of members of their group.

- Close up was being used in focusing Intoy’s face as he was sleeping and suddenly woke up knowing that her mother is leaving. Intoy’s emotion was exposed.

-  Long shot was being used when Intoy planned to drown himself. In this scene, Intoy’s body movements were shown clearly; from the moment that he jumped into the water up to helping himself to save his life. Long shot is also used when the father of Intoy caught her wife having sex with another man. This is for the purpose of the viewers to view the view of the Father from the slightly-opened door.

D. Camera Angles

- High angle was being used when Intoy was drowning in the water. By using the high angle, head to foot,Intoy’s movements were uncovered. Plus, the high angle is also used when Joross Gamboa attacked the woman who gave him a disease. The camera was on the woman and it was on high angle to show how she fears Joross and for the viewers to see the view of the actor in that particular scene.

-  Eye level was being used when Intoy and Doray were talking about their plan on leaving Kalye Marino(seen in last part) to show their emotions

III. Costume and Props- clothing choices fit the style of the movie. They contributed to the overall tone of the movie

            A. Balsa- symbolizes the life of the people in Kalye Marino.

            B. Doray’s lipstick- symbolizes that Doray is about to enter in prostitution.

            C. Mussels- symbolizes the hope to a new life for Intoy.

            D. Coin(when Doray gave money to her siblings) – symbolizes pain and poverty.

IV. Evaluation

The delivery of the dialog is good, the market understands it. The movie used the AKA goal; Intoy to Intoy Syokoy. Jm De Guzman swam like a very skilled Marino and acted with his heart. The actors were good; they acted not exaggerated yet not less.

The movie was inventive and quick that made a lot of detail. It also showcases real life situations, on how people survive in this particular kind of environment.

VYEHNA DENEECE R. RIVERA

202A ABMC

                                                           

Group Members

The Ring

Group Members:

Vyehna Rivera

Sheila Yu

Tina Cordero

Micia Roxas 

Sarah Villan