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welikeitspicyreviews-blog · 5 years

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Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2019 Essay (Open, Panti Sisters & Lola Igna)

The Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) is a seven-day in length festivity of Philippine Cinema where new quality genre Filipino films are screened for seven days in every single normal film across the country. No foreign films will be screened during PPP with the exception of in claim to fame films to give the open door for the entire nation to commend its very own local films. This occasion is sorted out by the Film Development Council of the Philippines in partnership with the National Cinema Association of the Philippines. PPP’s mission is to recognize Filipino artistry in films, promote our country and its talents globally, protect our film cultural heritage, and empower every Filipino through film development and education. Over the most recent years, PPP has made a culture of help from the crowd and FDCP tends to proceed with this custom to persistently draw in film buffs across the country to belittle local films. The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) advances and supports the improvement and development of the local film industry as a medium for the upliftment of the aesthetic, cultural, and social values of the nation for the better understanding and appreciation for the Filipino character. A portion of the main Filipino movies to ever be produced using a century prior may feel totally exquisite, however its subjects do not: family, friendship, and love keep on resounding with many. What's more, with the 100th anniversary of Philippine cinema practically just around the corner, the coordinators of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) disclosed their choice with featuring those components and to celebrate what these topics mean for us.

Romance is one of the most popular genres to watch, read and binge on. It is usually a genre where the story revolves around the love between two characters as they experience the highs and lows of love. Although most romance films end up with a happy ending ( e.g. guy gets girl, ends with a feel good 80s music and the like ), there are some that will leave you crying. Films like, Richard Linklater's ‘Before series’, Wong Kar Wai’s ‘Happy Together’ and Abdellatif Kechiche’s ‘Blue is the Warmest Color’ are one of my top picks. In Philippine Cinema, the most talked about romance film is Cathy Garcia-Molina’s One More Chance. The film became very iconic for its painful narrative and dramatic cheesy lines that gained a cult following in social media and are still very relevant today. It shattered the hearts of Filipinos because of its sad concepts about long-term relationships, self-worth and second chances. In this year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, there is one film that stood out for me because it reminded me of the iconic love story of Popoy and Basha without a clichè happy ending and the concepts of an open relationship.

Open by Andoy Ranay is a film about two lovers, Ethan ( JC Santos ) and Rome ( Arci Muñoz ) who have been in a relationship for almost 14 years until their relationship has gone stale so they both explored the idea of going open. But for me, the film is really about Rome trying to get out of a toxic relationship where she thinks love is enough for her to stay even if it means that person is going to disrespect and hurt her. But mostly, it's about finding one’s self-worth. The film introduces a controversial concept of a relationship where couples are allowed to see other people which I think the writers did great. Apart from introducing the concept of open relationships, they were able to show a form of emotional abuse seen from JC Santos’ annoying character.

The film didn’t focus on the open relationship a lot but I think it's a nice way to introduce it by giving the audience a disclaimer that this isn’t for everyone. When Rome starts to realize her worth, she was able to find her happiness. She finally was able to go back to her art and make a life all by herself. This cuts to Ethan realizing how toxic he was as a boyfriend through close-up shots of a wine bottle written “Rome” on it. Looking at the camera from the beginning till the end, its like going through a journey with her and from that, we were able to ask ourselves the same question, “Is this really what happiness feels like?” and in that moment, we are able to make that decision for her and for ourselves also. This cuts to a beautiful close up shot of rome, a few seconds before the credits start rolling. And finally, she is free.

The film starts with Rome and Ethan arguing about getting into an open relationship or breaking up. In here, we are introduced to the idea that their relationship is not going to end well. Since every time the camera cuts to a close up shot of Rome’s face, she appears as if she’s indecisive and unsure. This concludes that Rome’s selfless character enables Ethan to allow the toxicity of his character to worsen. Comparing this to One More Chance, the film starts with the same kind of set up without the idea of an open relationship. But the only difference is that the dominance lies in Bea’s character, Basha. She already knows what she wants while we are being introduced to the toxic behavior of Popoy. They both have similarities in their cinematic universe. They show the same concept of friendship, the realization of one’s self worth from a toxic relationship and lastly, finding happiness in a workplace. But looking through past films by the same production and Star Cinema, they share the same formula. What makes the two different from each other? Work wins over love while the other, the same cliché ending — guy gets girl. Maybe why I couldn’t stop comparing it to One More Chance because of the obvious similarities. Hopefully, time will come for Philippine Cinema that we will get to see new things rather than the generic formulas given by these productions. In the end, all we can do is hope, be patient and support the local independent films.

Another film-in-competition is entitled, Panti Sisters. It is a film directed by Jun Lana and its about a terminally ill father offers P100 million inheritance to the first of his three gay sons who can give him a grandchild. Starring Paolo Ballesteros, Martin del Rosario and Christian Bables. Alongside veteran actors, John Arcilla and Carmi Martin as their parents. It is obvious that the movie looks like its other predecessors since most of the cast are Jun Lana’s frequent collaborators. Jun Lana is known for making LGBTQ + themed films like, Ang Dalawang Mrs. Reyes, and Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo may Boyfriend? This director is the most youthful beneficiary of the Palanca Hall of Famer and champ of 11 Palanca Awards for Literature. Named the group top pick, he then won the Audience Choice honor, Best Production Design and Martin del Rosario won the Best Actor.

This film is something that the filipino masses should go and watch. Despite that there are scenes in the film which doesn’t feel necessary to the narrative of the story and there are some lines felt pushed just to prove a point but so far, all the sad passionate lines worked as a mainstream film. It explores a host of social issues that are especially timely and need to be addressed such as the worsening or increasing discrimination and hatred against people who are part of the LGBT community, whose sole purpose is to receive basic human riights and to be treated fairly, that they should still fight for their rights because they are also people who should be respected and viewed as equal to all of us. There is no requirement for them to change with the goal that they can be treated as animals and can't be viewed as a plague in the public arena. May everybody comprehend that the issues that happen in our general public are not simply in their locale. The greater part of us make issues little or enormous, they really add to the social issues in which we live. We should inquire as to whether we are a piece of the arrangement or would we say we are simply adding to the enormous issue? The film's story also discusses the devastating effects of the patriarchy that John Arcilla characterizes as their father, Don Emilio y Panti. They perform well and post-character improvement will see every one of the principal characters.

Inevitably accomplishing the foreseen acknowledgment and regard they ached for from their dad prompted enthusiastic or energetic goals of the issues in the story, these scenes were deliberately terrible because of their magnificent exhibition or featuring John Arcilla. We can contrast this work with movies at the Metro Manila Film Festival with similar formula. Much the same as the films that Vice Ganda has starred in, for example, Fantastica, The Super Parental Guardians, Beauty and the Bestie, Praybeyt Benjamin and other celebrities who are for the most part worked with Wenn V. Deramas who is known for these movies. These ‘Funny portrayals of LGBT films” are modest and you can't deny that they earn a place in all the blockbuster office since they have a huge part in mainstream films. Yet, when I contrast these movies with each other, The Panti Sisters is definitely has more substance which is why I think it deserves to be a part of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, despite the fact that it takes after Wenn V's works. It gave the audience a lot of good points about social issues that most FIlipinos are afraid to talk about and it's something that we won't see in a Wen V. Deramas film. Regardless of how genuine or surely understood the primary characters are, interestingly, they offer equity to the character and they perform well. We trust that individuals comprehend and comprehend the significance of examination, that the film isn't only for the solace and happiness regarding an individual, it suggests generally for the good of one's own, it might have been made in the general public in which we live.

Lola Igna's movie is one of the films released at this year's Philippine Film Festival. It is directed and written by Eduardo Roy Jr. Angie Ferro is known for being the popular actress in the film industry as Lola Igna, with Yves Flores as Tim, Maria Isabel Lopez as Nida and Meryll Soriano as Ana, the main characters in the film. The film begins with a very mysterious and intriguing scene in which she performs her usual tasks. As she goes on with her daily activities, it is notably seen that flies were swarming around and she speaks to someone that isn’t shown by the camera. Lola Igna lived a simple life and could see her life alone in that cottage near a farm she owned. The film further showed that she had a family, Nida her granddaughter and his great-grandson Bok, the son of Nida. It is interesting to see that these are the only relative she has. As the story progresses, viewers are informed that Lola Igna's character may have earned the title of "the oldest living grandmother in the world." Lola Igna was so distracted that she didn't even understand why, all of a sudden everyone was paying attention to her. Lola Igna does not speak at all and often hurts people who visit her for the same reason that she does not know it. She is not used to this attention and she is very distracted. Lola Igna became an instant tourist attraction when the news of her being the oldest grandmother in the world was released. Merchandises of Lola were released due to her popularity. These merchandises were managed by her granddaughter, Nida.

As viewers, we could not help but feel that they were using Lola Igna in a wrong manner, to the point that her little house became a tourist attraction. It's sad to think that this is happening in the reality that there are people who will actually use you for their personal development and often these people are near you or your own family. But we also came to the realization that Nida's family would never have had enough income if they had just grown their crops and kept watch over the store. However it is not right that they are forcing Lola Igna to entertain those that visits her. In the first place, Lola Igna doesn’t want the attention she was receiving. Until a surprise came, her other great-grandson, Tim came who was Anna's grandson. Her eyes were full of happiness and it was wonderful to think that of Lola Igna’s age she would not forget about who were relatives were even after a long time. Tim is an aspiring vlogger. Amidst Tim’s visit, it’s not hard to think and doubt him for only using Lola Igna’s current popularity as clout. If one would ponder, why would Tim suddenly appear in the midst of this popularity and didn’t come before Lola Igna’s recognition as the “oldest grandmother in the world”. Our anguish and doubts over whether or not he was really a grandson were even more apparent when the only subject of his videos were the ones of Lola Igna only. As the story progresses, we discover Lola Igna's thoughts and feelings. With each passing day that she spent in this world she became increasingly depressed. To live this long is considered a blessing and a great curse. We thought at that moment that we did not want her to die not because of the title she could obtain but for the reason that she was loved in their village.She is not difficult to love or to understand but we know for ourselves that we are being selfish because of that request but do we realize in ourselves that she should not live for someone else? Especially, if Lola Igna wants to rest in peace and take away all the pain she feels in the moment. How many friends and loved ones did she witness being alive and eventually buried death? How many times would she feel this so much sadness? If you place yourself in her shoes, it is only natural to ask God to take you and rest in the suffering she has been feeling for so long. No matter how difficult her family is to accept her wishes, they know that her situation is not difficult to understand. This feeling of Lola Igna was confirmed by the scene where she wept as she invited her guests in for a chance to see and take pictures with her. Amidst entertaining the tourists, Lola Igna then collapses due to fatigue. Nida realizes that Lola Igna can no longer get the title and with this money, it is more important for Lola Igna to wake up and be with them. Following this incident, Ana had returned after a long period of time when she ran away from their village resulted in her sister Nida campaigning and planting resentment. Ana is currently pregnant and seems to be giving birth due to the size of her stomach. Ana took care of Lola Igna in addition to resolving her personal issues with her son Tim and her sister Nida. Lola Igna woke up in disbelief at what she was seeing. Because of their long absence of communication and news of Ana, they had come to their senses that Ana might be dead. Anna asks for forgiveness from Lola Igna and her sister Nida. Grandma Igna says no one should apologize, these scenes are emotional because they highlight the importance and essence of having a family. It seems like the events in the movie will signal the end of the movie but the scenes that follow are truly sad. Ana unintentionally gave birth with her son at the middle of the fields near Lola Igna's house. Viewers were supposed to be happy with the new family member but Ana did not make it alive after she gave birth. As one added to them, there was also a retraction. Lola Igna assisted Ana giving birth. When she has since refused to do it because for her it only increases her life when she helps give birth to babies. Her new great-grandson was born with a broken heart and mourning the loss of one of her grand daughter who previously came back after running away. The situation is so sad that everyone is settled and for the first time they are a whole family with Lola Igna still with them but now again the pain and loneliness of the old woman will be felt again. Anna died in the arms of her son Tim, it was hard to see your mother being at her last dying breath, with the thought that you could do nothing more to prevent it. Death is inevitable and a part of human life. Some might want death to just arrive and take them, like Grandma Igna. Is there anything she has to do in this world that she is not allowed to lose? The very last scene in the film is really attention catcher in a very effective way to ponder or think deeper to understand Grandma Igna's passionate and emotional expressions. She just stared at the audience and said nothing but her eyes spoke for her. What might be the thoughts inside her head? But the real question is, “what would you feel if you were in Lola Igna’s place?

A realization has come to mind that Lola Igna isn’t all about the title of being the oldest grandmother in the world. Lola Igna ponders on the topic of life and death. Rarely do we see films that swims through the simplest reality of life. This film had portrayed that aging can be very terrifying yet mighty. Lola Igna is an old woman who is so close to her last days of life but death seems to avoid her. She had witnessed people’s growth younger than her like the petals within a bud starts to grow to the point where after it blooms, it is withered. Lola Igna’s old age makes her rant about how death seems to have forgotten about her. She was in her time of life when she had surpassed almost every relative she knew. It is heartbreaking when things start to get closer to you, that’s when you most understand and accept it. This is death for Lola Igna. Death is not something that is a grievous end. For some, it is something to honor for death is peaceful and after that you have nothing to worry about. In the last scene where Lola Igna is seen holding a baby, the look on her face carries powerful emotions that strikes the heart of those who looks. It is the face of someone who is tired and afraid, but had no choice but to live and wait.

After watching all these films part of this year’s PPP, we came to ponder and commend the directors behind it. It is difficult to tell stories not quite the same as what is typically portrayed. It is difficult casting new faces and hope they’d be more effective than the big stars existing. It is hard and not easy as anyone had said. Having the opportunity to produce films is a privilege and not a right. Furthermore, with that privilege comes the test to make it well as other existing films. It's anything but difficult to state something significant, to get recognition and yell it out and you would already be able to advise the world what they need to hear. It is hard to state something important through the medium of cinema, set aside some effort to figure out how to utilize each component of film to state what you mean better. A complete film that doesn’t simply beat the cutoff time. This privilege comes with a big weight to produce films with substance and without shallow meaning.

For the future of Philippine cinema, we wish that the public audience would take risks out of their comfort zones in the movies they go out to see. How about we watch lighthearted comedies all we want like Panti Sisters or a love story like, Open. But at the same time, how about we also watch something different. Documentaries, thriller movies, sad movies, unusual movies, stunning motion pictures. Something that isn’t mainstream or the movie that is not the first choice of the general public. One example of this is Lola Igna. Movies are not just about feeling better or being enchanted or beginning to look all starry eyed at. Movies are also about feeling agitated, feeling startled and disappointed. It is likewise about sentiments of misfortune, of vulnerability, of rushes and amazement. Movies are about such a significant number of different things, as well, other than simply fun and love. We wish that you let movies make you something and not simply give you what you generally expect of it.

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diaryofasithchick · 7 years

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Forgive Me Vader for I Have Dimmed...

...my devotion to the Force. It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything, but it’s because I’ve been feeling overwhelmed. Not with life but with all the Star Wars stuff happening. Some of it is the usual build up to the upcoming film but that is just compounding all the stuff that currently exists out there: news about films, tributes to Carrie Fisher, podcasts, blogs, FB groups, Scum and Villainy Cantina (here in MY part of the galaxy -- a part of town I hate going to, though), fan films merchandise, and each of those explores the films, the animated series, and the books of the expanded universe -- and this doesn’t include the information on the official Star Wars website or the biggest Star Wars event of them all going on right now -- Celebration, and all its features and announcements and ultra amazing happenings of which I am not a part! (Insert tantrum, here.). So I try to pretend (not very well) for one second it’s not big deal as seen in my comments (I’m Sithsheila) to the FB post below. Sometimes I see links, and I just move along. What the hell is that behavior? I just don’t want to know what else of which I am missing out!

I’ve always known that despite my friends and family declaring me the biggest Star Wars fan, I know that compared to many other Star Wars fans, I am an amateur; this is why I chose the nom de plume, “Squire Ren” because I feel that, despite my fanaticism, I am in training when it comes to my knowledge and level of dedication to the franchise. But I am disappointed in my exhaustion in trying to keep up with everything Star Wars. I cannot accept that there would be a problem with overflowing fodder to feed my Star Wars gluttony. I can do better. I know I can.

VAGUE AND UNCONVINCING EXCUSES

Time is a huge factor when trying to keep up with all this stuff, and I’ve made time for what’s convenient: feeds that pop up on my Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr pages. Work, raising a kid, volunteering, freelance projects, trying to stay fit at 45, my research, my Mary Sue fiction, eating, sleeping -- I allow things to eat up so much precious time, and I squander so much time that could be devoted to my devotion for a galaxy far, far away. That is why I fail.

I have asked and received recommendations for Star Wars books so I can

venture into that realm, but have not plunged between any covers, which is horrifying because I love to read, and I love Star Wars! I have found Star Wars podcasts that sound intriguing, but I don’t know why it doesn’t intrigue me enough to actually listen to them especially when they are talking about topics by which I am fascinated, but I haven’t brought myself to listening to one. I think that because I love written language, I want to see the words in front of me, so I haven’t allowed myself the time to have an aural experience other than listening to music or listening to radio news or sports broadcasts in the car -- which exactly what podcasts are, right, broadcasts, but I haven’t overcome the barrier, provided myself the luxury of time needed to sit still and listen, and there really are no good reasons I have to explain it. There is no try.

Coming up in my part of the galaxy is the May the Fourth Be With You Geek Meet. It’s a chance for me to do some discount cosplay and maybe meet the Star Wars nerd of my dreams (Likely not, since I am socially inept). Here is another aspect of fandom that I wish I did better at, but all I have is my Darth Vader dress and cape and some lightsaber jewelry or my Boba Fett shirt, beanie and blaster to serve my cosplay needs, dare I even use the term “cosplay” for the lack of effort in my apparel. I enable my social anxiety and talk myself out of going to these events by diminishing the acceptable state of my costume and exaggerating the inconvenience and annoyance of going to a crowded venue in a crowded part of town.

Then I see people on social media who indulge in multiple fandoms, and I am convinced there is something magical allowing them this ability. How do people manage devotion to multiple fandoms? Many Star Wars fans are also huge comic book fans and fans of other Sci-Fi franchises, and they go full bore with with their detailed knowledge and acquisition of merchandise from those franchises as much as they do with Star Wars. I love Star Trek and Lord of the Rings not quite as much as I love Star Wars, but close to it, perhaps because I have little time to just view these, perhaps it’s merely time that hasn’t allowed me to wade deeper into these fandoms. I also have favorite bands and a passion for certain literary periods and of course favorite authors that graduate school provided a structured forum for fandom, but above all I’ve prioritized Star Wars but still feel I’ve devoted to it such little effort to it.

I feel like...no...I know that I’m missing out on so much.

REPUBLIC CREDITS ARE NO GOOD OUT HERE

Money is a huge factor when it comes to fandom. I see people on social media talking about their new collectible purchases and not just for Star Wars but for other franchises over which they obsess. I have to keep my Star Wars purchases practical. When I am in need of something, I try to get a Star Wars version of it. I need work clothes, I bought Star Wars shirts, sweaters, socks, and Vans (I get to dress casual at work). I needed a new work bag, I got the Darth Vader briefcase. I needed a new waterproof jacket, I bought the Darth Vader windbreaker. My showerhead broke, so I bought the Darth Vader one (Luckily I had just received a bunch of new Star Wars bathroom merchandise for xmas from my bestie to complete the look of the room.). I needed lipstick and mascara and nail polish and CVS had the Star Wars makeup for me to buy. I’m not always so fortunate to find Star Wars merchandise when I am in need. Like why am I not in need of Tiki Cups?

It is rare that I have it in my budget to purchase a collectible for the sake of having a collectible. It’s not that I don’t want to, I just can’t afford it. And it makes me wonder what kind of jobs Star Wars fans have to be able to afford to grow their collections. I’m sure many have well paying jobs because Star Wars attracts a unique quality of person, but then that makes me then wonder why I can’t afford to be nothing but a low-grade fan.

DO OR DO NOT

I have heard that sentiment that if I was truly passionate, truly a fan, that I would find the time and money for all of my passions. That everything I detailed above is merely an excuse. I don’t believe that, mostly because, if I did, I would have to acknowledge that my love for Star Wars is too pale to be a passion. That I cannot do... (despite those sentiments being often accurate). I will not admit to a lack of passion because that is a terrible state to be in for a devotee of the dark side.

So, I guess I write this to now make myself accountable for my devotion. I write this with some jest, but it is my way of handling the fear of adding up the wasted minutes and the “could haves” and “should haves” and “if only I hads” that will drill me when my body is no longer fully functional, when I look back to see today was the time to make room for my passions amongst the obligations, being a nurturing parent, and still have room for serving my fellow human beings with my volunteer work. The episode VIII trailer came out today, and I am feeling renewed, motivated to drink in more Star Wars, heated up about seeing my cupcake 🤤 this winter (look at how delicious he looks!). There is time for it all and to do it all well. All is possible with the Force. The Force is with me; I am one with the Force.

#starwars fandom kyloren passion

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