CINEMALAYA 2013: THE FRONTRUNNERS

(NOTE:  This post only covers the five entries for the festival’s Directors Showcase.)

BEST PICTURE

Contenders:

Amor Y Muerte – A period film that takes an interesting look at the Filipino-Spanish relationship during the early stages of the Spanish colonization, it examines the inherent conflicts that characterize the interaction: the “civilized,” controlled manners of the Catholic Spaniards vis-a-vis the paganism of the indios who succumb to earthly desires. Erotic and visually enticing, it puts forth a bold representation of native women as horny and carnal.

Ekstra – A dramedy that chronicles the events in a day’s work-life of an aging bit player, competently portrayed by screen superstar Vilma Santos, it exposes the exploitative nature of TV production and the showbiz industry at large. Coherently scripted, the film boasts crisp dialogues and a brilliant ensemble cast.

 Porno – Arguably the most sexually explicit festival entry, the film attempts to connect disparate episodes of a sadomasochism act gone bad; a hitman killed in a hotel room; a porn dubber who doesn’t seem to know what to do with his life and eventually suffers from a seizure; and a transgender haunted by the “ghost” of her past, her son who rejects her. Porno is a graphic feast, but the central theme of pornography is lost. The film endeavors to tell three-four stories but fails to piece them all together with a linchpin that should have been anchored on its title. The last episode is awkward and unrelated to the other episodes.

 Sana Dati – A stuff that can easily make it to Star Cinema’s pet projects, this is a tale about letting go and loving anew. A woman, hours before her wedding, is reminded by a videographer of her one true love, and undergoes a turmoil that threatens to disrupt the ceremony. The film’s cinematography and somber mood reassure the viewers that this is still indie, not just another potboiler. Overall, Sana Dati is fine but doesn’t have much to say.

Liars – Based on events from the 1992 Little League controversy, the film explores how a journalist’s expose of irregularities affected the lives of a baseball team of poor boys. Liars has good intentions, but the script needs a little more tightening and the direction needs more inspiration. The story is set in 2002, but the journalist (Alessandra de Rossi) is using a touch-screen smartphone.

Frontrunners: Ekstra and Amor Y Muerte

Ekstra has a coherent script, competently executed by its director, and brilliantly acted by its cast. And it has a message to say.

Although some will question certain of its assertions about history and women and doubt the filmmaker’s intentions in zeroing in on eroticism, Amor Y Muerte lends some insight into the dynamics of the Hispano-Filipino colonial relationship.

BEST DIRECTOR

Frontrunners: Jeffrey Jeturian (Ekstra), Adolfo B. Alix Jr. (Porno), Ces Evangelista (Amor Y Muerte)

Note:  The script’s deficiencies didn’t hinder Alix from executing what the scenes called for.

BEST ACTRESS

Contenders:  Vilma Santos (Ekstra), Althea Vega (Amor Y Muerte), Angel Aquino (Porno), Lovi Poe (Sana Dati), Alessandra de Rossi (Liars).

Frontrunner: Vilma Santos.

Althea Vega seems dejected/bored all throughout, Lovi Poe looks uninterested/uninspired, Alessandra de Rossi is diffident and uncomfortable in her role as a journalist. Angel Aquino is convincing as a tranny but her exposure is truncated, which takes away much substance from her otherwise effortless acting. Vilma Santos, credible and effective as a lowly bit player, is a winner hands-down.

BEST ACTOR

Contenders:  Markki Stroem (Amor Y Muerte), Carlo Aquino (Porno), Yul Servo (Porno), Paulo Avelino (Sana Dati), John Michael Bonapos (Liars)

Frontrunners: A toss among Markki Stroem, Carlo Aquino, and John Michael Bonapos.

Marrki Stroem, fairly a newbie in acting, gives a surprisingly believable performance. Carlo Aquino is already a decorated performer, but child actor John Michael Bonapos might just pull a surprise win. Who knows?

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Contenders:  Amable Quiambao (Amor Y Muerte), Ruby Ruiz (Ekstra), Tart Carlo (Ekstra), Sue Prado ((Liars)

Frontrunners:  A toss between Amable Quiambao and Ruby Ruiz.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Contenders:  Moises Magisa (Amor Y Muerte), Marlon Rivera (Ekstra), Vincent de Jesus (Ekstra), Bembol Roco (Porno), TJ Trinidad (Sana Dati), Jan Harley Hicana (Liars), Richard Quan (Liars)

Frontrunner:  Marlon Rivera

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