Critical Flicker Fusion : Lessons From The Metro Manila Film Festival

Moral lesson of the story :
The Filipino Film industry should be allowed not only during Christmas break. It should be allowed all days of the year.

A lot of films get ignored because you have an ENTIRE spectrum of a film scene being compressed within a short while. How can you properly appreciate, say, the intricacies of RPG :Metanoia ( and there are many ), or the poignancy of what appears to be Dolphy's swan song, when you don't have the latitude to appreciate each at their own time.

Instead, you are forced in a situation where you're deluged by a sturm un drang of Filipino product, showing their wares for a limited period before they are literally shooed off the streets. Naturally, the loudest ones get picked up first, and nothing else would be said of it. There is only so much you can consider and sift through. You do not have time to linger. 

And often, the products aren't prepped for the long term. They had to make it as flashy and as noisy and as instantly consumable, or they're immediately passed by. In the wretched market principle this applies in, they are left with no choice. 

This is what you get when you have a neo-liberal economy that is slave to Western transaction, and is prone to desperate straits. Obviously, we have to get a bit of self-respect now, and obviously this must not continue. 

Filipinos shouldn't have to live by technocratic pipe dreams; they should be able to live by theirs, and they should be allowed to do that in their cinema. And not be treated like insurgents/terrorists/traffic obstructions whenever they dare to frickin' do so !


Cross-published with the Carlo Cielo blog. . 

Barangay Elections 2010: Repleksyon ng Bulok na Sistemang Pulitikal sa Pilipinas

Mga eksena BAGO at SA MISMONG ARAW ng ELEKSYON:

Mga kandidato para sa pwesto sa Sangguniang Kabataan/SK, nagpa-swimming, namigay ng freebies at nagpakain (bawal lahat).

Sangkatutak na supporter ng mga kandidato namigay ng leaflets mga ilang metro sa presintong botohan (bawal na naman).

Mga kandidato nagdikit sa puno at sa iba pang mga lugar na di pwedeng pagdikitan...Yung ibang tarpaulin, superlaki (bawal din).

Ang mga tumatakbo sa SK at Sangguniang Barangay, magkakamag-anak. Yung ibang tumatakbo sa SK at Sangguniang Barangay, kamag-anak din ng mga congressman, gobernador atbp.

Bulok! Bulok! Bulok!

Sa ibang barangay, 10 ang kandidato sa pagiging kapitan! {MAGKANO kaya ang pinag-aagawan nila?}

TRIBO SA MINDANAO, TUTOL SA MAPANIRANG PAGMIMINA

Pagpupugay sa Tribong Subanen sa matagumpay na paghadlang sa delivery ng mga kagamitan sa mapanirang pagmimina sa Kabundukan ng Pinukis!

{Ang mapanirang pagmimina ay dapat tutulan...Ang kaunlaran ay dapat sustainable at makakalikasan din...}

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20101024-299478/Tribe-blocks-delivery-of-equipment-to-mine-site-in-Zamboanga-del-Sur

Buti pa sa FRANCE

...nagpoprotesta ang mga tao dahil sa pagtataas ng retirement age at pagtataas ng pension age (edad para makakuha ng pension).

Ito ang paraan na ginagawa ng gobyerno nila para makatipid sa pera.Kailangan nilang magtipid dahil sa krisis na kagagawan ng mga malalaking bangko (watch Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story").

So, unjust talaga kung ang taumbayan ang paparusahan di ba?

Ayun, nationwide strike ang isinagawa ng mga French.

Gusto ko ng French bread, French wine, French fries at French kiss, pero sa ngayon, mas gusto ko ang French-style protests laban sa pagtitipid ng gobyerno sa mga benepisyo ng taumbayan...

Haay...Kailangan kaya magiging kagaya ng mga French ang mga Noypi...

2010-2011 NBA Season Predictions

 by Reuben Guevarra

The NBA Season is coming fast and I want to kick things off with my own season predictions. An unbiased and calculated prediction of a die hard basketball fan who looks at different perspectives when it comes to teams and the league. So without further audeu here it is.

Playoffs

 

West

1. La Lakers
2. Dallas Mavericks
3. San Antonio Spurs
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Utah Jazz
6. Denver Nuggets
7. Portland Trailblazers
8.  New Orleans Hornets

East

     1. Miami Heat

     2.Orlando Magic

     3. Chicago Bulls

     4. Boston Celtics

     5. Atlanta Hawks

     6. Milwaukee Bucks

     7. New York Knicks

     8. Charlotte Bobcats

Most Valuable Player

Kobe Bryant

 

The Black Mamba wants another ring and with Miami’s big three forming and Shaq joining Boston  he gains more motivation to become better than ever. Since the Wade and LeBron cancel each other out expect them to move from of the MVP picture and its highly doubtful that the Thunder could make it into the top of the conference since they are now the hunted not the hunter. No one can challenge Kobe as top dog in the NBA except maybe Dwight but his 2nd option mindset hinder that.

The 5 time NBA champion looking

to defend his title this year and

tie Michael Jordan in rings.

 

Rookie of the Year

The number 1 Overall Pick

this year looking to make

a huge splash in the league

John Wall

Wall is an amazing talent no matter what they say about Blake Griffin having a year of NBA experience on under his belt and with Turner fighting for alpha dog status in Philly the sky is the limit for Wall. Wall would be able to slash to the rim at will and have Arenas, Yi and Mcgee to dish too which would increase his assist total. Don’t forget the veteran leadership of Flip Saunders and Kirk Hinrich is always there.

  

 

Defensive Player of the Year

LeBron James

 LBJ trying to win his 1st nba championship and prove the doubters wrong

 

The biggest news of the summer is the formation of the New Big Three in South Beach. Wade and Bosh would take the scoring load of Bron making him focus more on defense which he already did back in 2008. And with the king being the runner up of the DPOY last year look for him to win  the league’s best defender award. Yes over Dwight.

Most Improved Player

Beasley's expirience is crucial for the young wolves

Michael Beasley

Getting traded to Wolves is the best thing that would happen to Mr. Beasley .He is a young player on a young squad that would most likely make him a top option on this team. He and Wesley Johnson would take all the shots for Flynn and Love are better of being role players at this point in their careers.

                                                                                                             

Sixth Man of the Year

Jamison looking to lead the Cavs in the Playoffs for the 6th straight year

 Antawn Jamison

 Rumored to be coming off the bench for the Cavs. The potential starting 5 could be Williams, Parker, Vajerao, Hickson and Graham. With no one on the bench except perhaps Sessions to take shots expect the nba veteran to handle most of the scoring load for the Cavs this upcoming season.

Coach of the Year

Tom Thibodeau

 

The former Celtics assistant coach leading the up and coming bulls to become perennial title contenders.

The bulls are a sure spot in becoming a top 4 team in the Eastern Conference they added a low post presence in Carlos Boozer, sharp shooter Kyle Korver and wingman Ronnie Brewer. They also extended center Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose got better by adding extended shooting range in his arsenal and gaining valuable expirience from the FIBA World games. But their biggest off season pickup was their coach. Tom was the former defensive mastermind behind the Celtics defense. Adding his defensive know how to the Bulls youth could spell disaster for the rest of the league.

TINIG
(isang TULARAWAN ni David Michael M. San Juan; ang larawan ay kuha sa 2010 Lakbayan ng Mamamayan Para sa Tunay na Reporma sa Lupa; ang mga bata sa larawan ay umawit ng awiting handog sa mga magsasaka)

Munti
ngunit
masikhay.
...
May lumbay
ngunit nakangiting nananalig
sa pangako ng maalwang bukas.

Minsa'y nabibigo
ngunit di sumusuko
'pagkat batid
na bawat titik
na sambitin,
bawat milyang lakarin,
bawat hagupit na indahin
ay malaking igpaw
sa tagumpay, balang araw,
ng adhikang dakila.

{Pagpupugay sa mga magsasaka at mamamayang nakikibaka, lalo na sa mga bata at kabataang pag-asa ng bayan!}

Critical Flicker Fusion : Agaton and Mindy ( 2009 )

Agaton and Mindy 

2 hrs., 45 mins.

Starring : Chase Vega, Louise De Los Reyes, Cherrie Gil

Written by : Lore Reyes, Peque Gallaga

Directed by : Peque Gallaga 

Review by : Carlo CIelo

 Cross-published with the Carlo Cielo blog 

 ****

It’s been more than a year since ‘Agaton and Mindy’ played at select ( SM ) cinemas. Part of the Director’s Guild of the Philippines’ (DGP) ‘Sine Direk’ series, this was among the 6 new indie productions showcased, as helmed by six of the country’s prominent ‘mainstream’ directors; genres ranging from straight-up farce ( Fushia ), to political thriller/action flick by way of melodrama ( Beinte ). All of the films have social intentions, with proceeds going to the Guild’s pet scholarship program. One of them, Soxie Topacio’s ‘Ded Na Si Lolo’, went on to become the country’s entry in the

‘09-‘10 Oscars.

Yet it’s the Peque Gallaga film which sticks to mind the most; mainly due to the past notoriety of the director, and its allegedly bleak-ish ending being hailed as some kind of a precedent. Now, it would be wise to inform all that this is a  love story, which, a cursory inspection of the big studios’ slate should tell you, is the main course for the day; and one of its perceived key strengths in ensuring returns is its suppose to be ‘sticky-sweet’. Like an additive.It repeats, because it’s about regurgitating feelings; playing with certain familiarities, and squeezing as much mileage out of them. Going through the motions and pushing emotional buttons, the ups and downs and the attendant gruel, putting audiences in this sensational realm, the heightened place they all want to be. What matters is they are made to feel good about themselves. So, the guy gets to ‘claim’ the girl, and the hefty baggage was foreplay to post-coital denouement.

Okay, I’m not going to overstate this movie and say it ISN’T any of these; that it dispenses with their set rhythms and rigors, & curveballs into becoming something else. In fact, it probably dishes out the SAME ‘meat and potatoes’ you’d get from any Star Cinema or GMA love flick. However, while studio stuff keeps it quaint and processed food, ‘Agaton and Mindy’ delivers it fairly raw. And in this day and age, with sterilized tripe being so damn culturally ascendant, that should count for at least something.

****

Movie begins at a dance studio. A private school troupe practices for its upcoming performance. Helmed by Tanya Dolokov ( played by veteran actress Cherie Gil ), an inexplicably flamboyant yet self-aware diva-lite, its members are constantly prodded into facing up to what they’re supposed to do: that it is an erotic dance, a sex dance. It’s embracing the calculated sensuality of the moment, and transmitting that to the audience by plunging headlong into libido. Losing all inhibitions, taking down defenses, guided only by instruction; so the ebbs and flows could get at them in an exact, specific pattern ( & vice versa ) – into continually proceeding. The teacher is damn persistent about this, knocking the eroticism into their senses at every single opportunity, so they would learn to ‘let themselves go’ and stuff.

These would all depend on two dancers: 15 year olds Agaton ( Chase Vergel ) and Mindy ( Louise de Los Reyes ). They’re not exactly pals at the onset. Seemed they couldn’t be further apart; they obviously come from different social circles, even as it’s suggested they’re of the same bourgeoisie strata – their only common platform, really, apart from the studio stage.

 Mindy is lackadaisical, scatter-brained, and dangerously erratic. She unabashedly wallows in her affluence; rubbing her fortunes to the face of just about ANYONE, except for a moment of hesitation taking to mind potential further gain. Often, this would lead to bouts of self-destruction, leaving her repeatedly wanting. 

 Agaton, meanwhile, seems more mannered about his time in the plenty; even as he isn’t exactly an improvement. He is very pensive and guarded about what he’s got, apparently guided by the fear that at any moment, he could lose his material possessions, and they will all take it away from him. So he spends the day carefully and cautiously trudging through his side of the Third World, so that at the end, he’ll still end up enrolled in a school, and returning to a house with money in his pocket.

 Perhaps, it is being so grounded to the gravity of his situation and the paranoia of his brand of pragmatism, that it sends the wrong vibrations to everyone he meets in this private high school world. That maybe, he isn’t one of them. That maybe, he’s of another, more destitute variety. Because, if he’s one of them, then what is he fearing ?

Even a trip to his mansion fails to placate doubts. Not even his money could protect him from discrimination of class.

Mindy wouldn’t have any of his problems, though, the same way she wouldn’t have any of these ‘regulations’. In fact, she openly desires his destitution. She pines for it. So what if his life is grime ? That shit is ‘hot’. Impoverishment entails extreme need, in search of unchecked appetites. The lass knows when to take her cue. 

Agaton and Mindy get paired as the recital’s main act. 

****

Peque Gallaga is fairly unflinching in his treatment. For example is forthright about the lurid purpose of this type of film. Not much of a surprise: the guy did cut out a name for himself with his string of soft-core features in the ‘80s and the ‘90s. He was once quoted as saying his ulterior cinematic goal is having someone get fucked in a Maria Clara ( traditional ) dress.

 Among his famous works was ‘Scorpio Nights’, an apparently an ero-guru, agro-punk take on social realist filmmaking.  In some ways, this is his ‘Scorpio Nights’ for the current PG-13 set: with the settings changed ( i.e. from informal settlement to the subdivision ),  the vantage point shifted ( i.e. from neurotic, minimum wage types, to shifty, well-to-do brats ), yet with all the fatalism intact. Some scenes declare this awareness: after being badly burned when a performance didn’t go right, he visits a prostitution den in a shanty town.

Maybe because this is really a sex flick; like all romantic flicks are sex flicks.  Except the sex here is embedded in bourgeois transactions, and its ‘lewdness’ not in the way of thrashing nude bodies, but in predatory thoughts and acts. All the people in this movie are scum: petty, conniving, spreading conceit, and don’t seem to have any more concerns than the hormonal; such pointless beasts of gratification that all empathy dissipates. Characters would screw in the same knee-jerk way they’d get beaten up for no good reason, with the camera-phone to record, mainly because they get in the way of someone else’s fucking.  Every single act here is orgasmic in class oppression.

But perhaps, what Peque is really doing here, is take these middle-class romance flicks, and to put them through the physics of our social reality.  If not pry them and turn them inside-out; revealing the inherent ugliness of their sticky-sweet premises, by exposing the filthy cheap terms these would exist in, the formal transgressions which define, and the sweaty- ass climate under which these deeds would be enacted. This rape is what governs the film.

So the main couple here gets so bogged down by their abdication of control, that they get crushed by the weight of the ensuing regression, their backs bent, brought to their knees, and pinned to the ground, their feelings shoving them back to the uteri. It is fitting then that the film’s main motif is the fetus recoil.

****

Peque has also dabbled in horror films in the past. With the grasp for mood here underlined by hostility and tension, it’s with no doubt that he’s playing with his accumulated strengths, giving us a view of a shared condition that is equal parts harrowing and inevitable.  

That’s the first half.

The second half abandons its merits in favor of simple reduction. The latter part is an endless succession of tropes, a grotesque ‘Filipino chick flick’ hall of horrors, an attempt to collapse an entire history of tired formulas (which isn’t much of a history) in a way that is tongue in cheek.  Here, its as if he just proceeds with enumerating all his filmic views, with a kind of ‘coda’ at the end that ties into a previous visual cue, to pass this thing off as a whole. 

Nonetheless, his direction is consistent enough that it does seem like a whole. The pacing is steady; the flow seamless, a straight-arrow focus all throughout. Its cinematic elements are so efficiently employed it makes you think any of these were intended.

****

There is definitely a meta-textual conceit in all this, but the film went too lazy about it at the end. Peque Gallaga sacrifices what could have been a more authentic cinematic work in favor of an easy send-off to the genre.

 It does get one thing right about our culture, though, and it’s something most our cinema and our critics have refused to admit:

The poor may live and breathe in sex, but the sleaze is definitely coming from the rich.