Syowing this Week

It feels like a festival of really good Pinoy movies this week, as the Film Development Council of the Philippines holds its 2013 Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival All-Masters Edition at SM City Cinemas. And among those films being featured is the Ilonggo movie SALVI: ANG PAGPADAYON which has drew much praise already since its premiere which was held September 10, 2013. Also included in this festival line-up is Peque Gallaga’s SONATA which was said to be shot in Negros. The other movies included in the line-up include works from Gil Portes, Elwood Perez, and Mel Chionglo. The Pinoy festival fever seems to be not exclusive to SM only, as Robinsons has extended the screening of the highly acclaimed Pinoy movie ON THE JOB (OTJ).[hit the jump to continue]

SALVI: ANG PAGPADAYON
The story of SALVI is set in a post-apocalyptic world, and civilization has seemingly become non-existent. Most of the characters cannot even remember (or choose not to remember) how the world has come to that bleak point. The main character of the movie is a girl named Salvi, who chooses to make herself look like a boy, and sets out on a journey to search for her missing sister who was kidnapped long ago by a marauding gang from the “Campo”. Along the way, she meets a thief named Abet who knows the location of the Campo. Salvi’s journey leads her to a slave camp run by a transvestite queen named Madonna. There, they meet another mysterious companion named Kardo.  Salvi soon faces the end of her journey with horrifying revelations.

I reviewed this movie yesterday, and if you were not able to read it, here are some things that I wrote about the movie; What I can tell you now is that this is a movie that we Ilonggos can really be proud of. It is magnificently made movie, beautifully shot and brilliantly directed. And as far as Ilonggo movies go, this easily stands as the best.  It is a movie that should not be missed.


SONATA
This movie directed by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes centers its story upon an opera diva (Cherie Gil), on the verge of a nervous breakdown after losing her voice. She returns home to Negros Occidental and through a young boy (Chino Jalandoni) rediscovers her art and life. As the world of the well-travelled opera diva collides with the world of a young boy in the throes of exploration, both discover the nature of art and the healing power of love. This is a story which really tells us that Art affects Life, and Life affects Art.

Although Peque Gallaga himself is such a master in cinema, as everybody knows he is the director of such timeless Pinoy epic classics such as ORO PLATA MATA, it should also be noted that him and his longtime directorial partner Lore Reyes have both made various movies that have defined Philippine cinema during the 80’s and early 90’s. Although, some of the later Gallaga movies have not been so impressive, seeing him being united with his partner Lore Reyes, brings some optimism that they could pull off the same old magic they used to create during their days.

These first two movies are part of the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Sineng Pambansa All-Masters National Film Festival this week, shown at SM Cinema. The other movies being shown in relation to this are works by many of Philippine cinemas aged and established film directors. I may not be a big fan of these directors which had a hand in leading Philippine cinema to where it is right now, but hey, you may want to check them out. In Elwood Perez’s OTSO its main protagonist Lex writes a screenplay for an indie film based on the secret lives of his neighbors next door. Facts and his own artistic infusions all clash together as he discovers that reinterpreting real life isn’t always a good thing.  ANG TAG-ARAW NI TWINKLE by Gil Portes tells the story of the rebellious Twinkle Marie’s life, and how it is about to get turned on its head due to a visit from an, unbeknownst to her, biological father with secrets to share. Entering into a tailspin of drugs, sickness, and lies forces her to reevaluate and asses things, then ultimately deciding on what’s truly important. Then there’s LIHIS by Joel Lamangan which is set in the 70’s during the darkest hours of Philippine History, we follow the story of two young NPA warriors who find themselves entangled in a web of frustration, despair and victory as they fight not only for democracy but also their love for each other. Don't ask me about Lamangan’s movies because I will just end up blabbering numerous negative things about his works. But benefit of the doubt, I may be wrong about his new movie. Hey, I also had the opinion that Erik Matti’s works are derivative too.

Speaking of Matti, I am happy to tell you all that the Erik Matti movie ON THE JOB (OTJ) is extended for the third week at Robinsons Movieworld. Those of you who have not yet seen this crime noir masterpiece should go and do so (But not at the expense of missing out the Ilonggo movie SALVI, okay?). Neill Blomkamp’s sci-fi movie ELYSIUM is on extended run as well. Although I do understand that the ONE DIRECTION movie is extended because of its fanbase, I however am perplexed why MORTAL INSTRUMENTS is extended on the third week. Perhaps because kids will want to watch GARBAGE even though it is decorated by attractive and sexy actors and actresses. Other movies showing like JULIA X and NO ONE LIVES are not really movies that I personally would want to waste my time with. But hey, that’s just me.