Ang LARAWAN is the atypical film in MMFF but definitely worth seeing.  It’s a cinematic gem that traces back our heritage and culture.

Ang Larawan (2017) is director’s Loy Arcenas latest musical/film adaptation of  Nick Joaquin's classic  “A Portrait of the artist as Filipino”.   This opus tells the story of Marasigan sisters Candida (Joanna Ampil) and Paula (Rachel Alejandro) during the pre-Second World War era. Set in Intramuros, Candida and Paula take care of their aging father, the highly acclaimed artist Don Lorenzo and try their very best to make ends meet. Don Lorenzo (Leo Rialp) gives them a beautiful painting which will eventually cause turmoil in the family.  While their siblings Manolo (Nonie Buencamino) and Pepang ( Menchu Lauchengco) provide financial assistance to them, these two elders have scheming motives in selling their ancestral home and the famous art piece. Similarly, Tony Javier (Paulo Avelino ), their sole tenant lures Paula to sell the artwork for his own gain.

STRENGTHS:

ACTORS: Ang Larawan boasts a great ensemble of thespians and singers. West End actress Joana Ampil and 90s pop singer Rachel Alejandro fit their roles to a T. Supporting cast members Sandino Martin (Bitoy Camacho), Robert Arevalo ( Senator Petico ), Celeste Legaspi, Cris Villonco, Aicelle Santos, Noni Buencamino and Menchu Lauchengco have shown bravura performances. Paolo Avelino in his first major musical film was passable.  This is Ampil’s cinematic debut and yet she acted her part with much aplomb! Her Best Actress win at the recent MMFF Awards is well-deserving.  Even the cameo appearances of ZsaZsa Padilla, Rayver Cruz, Ogie Alcasid, Jojit Lorenzo were noteworthy.

SCREENPLAY and DIRECTION: If I am not mistaken, this is the second time that a movie adaptation of Larawan was made. The 2017 version made a conscientious effort to stick to the literary magnificence of Nick Joaquin.  I can say that its attempt was victorious. The movie was confined to Marasigan’s house 90% of the entire film (interior shots) (only 10% footage of the old Intramuros) and yet audience feels the movie did not short-change.  

CINEMATOGRAPHY and PRODUCTION DESIGN: Sharp, detailed and consistent. The cinematography and production design captured the exact look and feel of the pre-WW2 era in Intramuros. Even the La Naval procession scene, ah! Amazingly executed. Thumbs up to Gino Gonzales (production designer) and Boy Yniguez (cinematographer). Truly, Ang Larawan is a visual feast.

MUSIC: How can you go wrong with the music of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and libretto of the late national artist Rolando Tinio? Since the music/lyrics was updated in 1997 from the same musical, some of the lyrics were very contemporary. I thought that all throughout, it’s going to be a “makatang” Filipino.   

OPPORTUNITIES:

Since the writer/director wanted to preserve and stick to its literary origin, there are scenes that I feel a bit dragging and very “monologuish”. In addition,  Avelino’s portrayal in some parts were a bit awkward for me and needed polishing.  And lastly, could have been better if the producer and director of Ang Larawan interjected a more updated cinematic approach so as to be appreciated more by millennial moviegoers?

My rating: 9/10

photo credits : Culturtain productions

DEDMA WALKING is an MMFF entry that is hard to ignore (or “dedmahin”). It’s witty, out, loud but heartwarming.

It’s not just an ordinary gay-thematic film. It depicts the value of sincere friendship and death of a loved one.  

Dedma Walking is a Palanca award-winning opus by Eric Cabahug.  Directed by Julius Alfonso, the movie revolves around the story of two gay men John (played by Joross Gamboa) and Mark (played by Edgar Allan Guzman). John recently learned that he has stage four cancer and convinced his best friend Mark to stage his fake death and wake for him to witness the eulogies.

Strengths:

ACTORS: Anybody who has seen the film will agree that the biggest asset of the film is its actors. EDGAR ALLAN GUZMAN was consistently brilliant in portraying a gay character. His nuances were impeccably acted out. One would really believe that EA is gay in real life.  JOROSS GAMBOA for his part has maintained his characterization as a more finesse and subtle-acting gay man. There’s never a dull moment in the film’s entirety with JOHN and MARK in the scenes.  You can feel the sincerity of their portrayal. You will laugh with them whenever they are outrageous. You will cry with them whenever they’re in grief or sorrow. There were three scenes that stood out and showed the acting caliber of EA and Joross- 1) Spa scene where John revealed to Mark that he has cancer 2) The stairway scene where Mark found out the connection of John and an ex-beau 3) The death of a major character on the film’s  third act.  Edgar Allan Guzman recent accolade as Best Supporting Actor in MMFF was expected! 

PRODUCTION DESIGN - Each scene perfectly matched the theme of the movie. Pastel colors were evident. The whites and blacks were seen also to show the element of contrast.

MUSIC/MUSICAL SCORE – I love the music and the songs sung by the Crying Divas on stage! Kudos to Von De Guzman for coming up with catchy lyrics and choreography.

SCREENPLAY- The dialogues/lines were witty, funny and realistic. There’s no pretense or masking.  It’s very relatable and if you have gay friends or family members, one can easily relate to several scenes and share the same experience at a very least.   I also like how the real-life scenarios of John and Mark were intertwined with French Art Film and Musical stage play. The screenwriter offered variations within the movie and worked to its advantage by increasing the fun and humor of Dedma Walking.

Opportunities:

CINEMATOGRAPHY- Not consistent enough in several scenes. Some scenes had poor lighting and appeared a bit dark and unpolished.

JOHN as YOLLY – This part is a bit cinematic. John came out as YOLLY so as not to be known as JOHN but he still looked like JOHN and his family members did not really notice it.

If last year’s MMFF, moviegoers fell in love with the tandem or TRISHA and BARBS, this year you will definitely enjoy the tandem of “migs” JOHN and MARK. 

DEADMA WALKING is not just an ordinary gay film. It shows the value of sincere friendship. As Mark said in his eulogy, it's possible to find a soulmate in a friend. After watching the film, I definitely agree with him.

My rating: 9/10 

(photo credit to TREX Entertainment and OctoArts Films)

SIARGAO is more than just a feature film of the picturesque destination. It explores human emotion complexities and frailties. You will see the sunsets and sunrises. It's an honest to goodness take of human lives. 

Whenever I search for promo airfare rates online, SIARGAO is one of the few destinations I check for a possible trip.  I have always been enamored with the grandeur of the place but has not been able to successfully booked a flight to be on this island. So when I read the MMFF 2017 movie line up on social media and saw SIARGAO as one of the eight movies to be shown, I told myself that I need to watch this film at the very least to see how it's like to be in Siargao.

SIARGAO island serves as a backdrop of this new Paul Soriano masterpiece. Jericho Rosales plays Jigs/Diego, a member of The Diego Project who decides to go back to his hometown and take a break from the recent controversy he got involved with. Erich Gonzales is Laura, a vlogger who goes out of her comfort zone to travel alone and tries to mend a broken heart. Jasmine Curtis is Abi, the ex-beau of Jigs who has not moved on yet with her feelings for Jigs.

STRENGTHS:

ACTORS- The three lead actors have portrayed their roles effortlessly.  Jericho has effectively shown the nuances of a band member, a local of Siargao,   emotionally repressed and yet care-free!  Erich improved dramatically as she tackled her role as the free-spirited fashion vlogger, experimental young lady finding her true self after she broke up with her boyfriend. Jasmine Curtis aced her portrayal as Abi. She’s very subdued but was very consistent in showing the depth of her character towards Jigs.  Supporting cast members are also convincing and natural.

CINEMATOGRAPHY – No one can argue that the island was beautifully captured by HD cameras. The underwater and surf scenes were amazingly taken. The waves were of perfect rhythm as it depicted the characters emotions and challenges.

MUSIC/MUSICAL SCORE- I like how the film used non-pop music. Except for the Eraserheads classic “Fine Time” (given an acoustic feel) and the club music during the party scenes, the rest of the songs were indie compositions.

SCREENPLAY: Screenwriter  Anj Pessumal used a lot of parallelism in the film.  The lead characters’ lives versus the waves. The human emotions and the sunrises and sunsets.  The script also provided the advocacy message on how to take care of SIARGAO, the eco-tourism and the nature in its entirety.

OPPORTUNITIES:

The movie is quite dialogue-ish most of the time. It has a tendency to be so descriptive by means of dialogue.  The love triangle of the three lead characters was a bit hazy. I am unsure if it was intentionally executed or the screenwriter and the director were really confused about the message they want to convey.  

SIARGAO movie is more than just a feature of the picturesque destination. It explored emotion complexities and human frailties. It showed struggles and challenges but sometimes serenity and placid. You witnessed the sunsets and the sunrises. It’s an honest to goodness take of life! One of the lines in the movie said " You can not fall in love in Siargao but you will definitely fall in love with Siargao" and I think that's very true after watching this film. 

Go and watch this movie before it's pulled out in some theaters.

My rating: 8/10

*Photo Credit to TEN17 Productions.