In this year Cinemalaya, The theme is
Cinethesia which means synergy of the senses. Multiple elements working
together, while in art Cinethesia Is the simultaneous perception of multiple
stimuli in one single experience. It speaks of the changes that have occurred
during the past nine years, how filmmakers and audiences have matured, and
learned to work together. "Nagsimula kami sa ganto.. Paikot ikot, padapa
dapa. Sakit pwet... Parang action star"
For the
first time in Cinemalaya history, a documentary was shown for the opening film.
The documentary was entitled Jazz in Love by Baby Ruth Villarama. The
documentary shows the life of Jazz, a gay, and his relationship with his Dutch
partner. It was set when his partner visited his family in the Philippines to
ask for his hand for marriage. The film ended with Jazz and Theodore having a
quarrel which made Theo leave. The audience almost believes that it was the end
of their relationship; however, an interview was shown where Jazz was
explaining that in the end, they eventually made up.
The
documentary featured a same sex relationship and it’s far from other films that
feature same sex relationship which is somewhat a classic when it comes Jazz in Love tackles
this issue in a different light. The
documentary focused on Jazz and Theo, their relationship and how much they are
in love. It showed that gay relationships are pretty much the same as any other
relationships.
to
indie films. But 
Watching the documentary makes us
wonder and ask such questions like “who is the man and the woman in their
relationship?” but come to think of it, Even if Jazz is more romantic and
effeminate of the two, we cannot assume that he will act as the “female role”
in the relationship. Are they really in love? Isn’t it unfair for the part of
Theo all the economic demand on the part of Jazz? It only shows that Jazz and
Theo truly love each other against all odds prior to the fact that Jazz society
requires more understanding and acceptance than on the part of Theo.
Also, the
documentary makes us realize that we cannot no longer say that Jazz and Theo
are missing out on the joys of romance just because they spend most their time
separately. Since with the help of social media, their relationship brings
about more trust and satisfaction than purely close relationship. After all, we
understand that film like “jazz in love” are what our society needs more. Films
that normalize instead of scandalize homosexual relationship.
Since we
are also required in our PE class to watch the Cinemalaya finalist Liars, we have agreed to watch it for
our extra film. Liars is a film about
the controversial Philippine Baseball team who competed at Little League World
Baseball Competition almost ten years ago. What made them controversial is that
they allegedly faked their way to the championship by faking some of the
player’s age. Based on a true story, the film not only focuses on the
manipulation of the team’s personal information but also each player’s
struggles.
The film
opens during one of the game’s of the Smokey Team—the game that’ll be their
ticket to be part of the said international competition. On that same day,
Eloisa, a journalist from Manila Times, covered the story of the kid of Smokey
team and met Dante, a catcher, and Ato, left-handed pitcher. The team continued on their training for the
competition. However, Dante was injured when his abusive father hit him. Dante,
and two other players were removed from the team and was substituted by older
players which is a major violation in the said competition. With the twist of
events, it is not only their baseball career were ruined, Dante and Ato’s
friendship was damaged.
Despite
their manipulation, the Philippine team won the championship and brought glory
to the country. Eloisa have been following their story and she was surprised
that, though there’s still a ‘Dante’ in the team, he’s not the same Dante she
met. So, she met with Dante and asked him what happened. Dante, filled with
emotion and what must be envy, innocently admitted the real story to Eloisa.
She then bravely published what she have learned and just like that, the
country’s glory was gone and was even replaced by judgment and complete
distrust. But Eloisa received the most hate and she ended up going out of the
country. After ten years, she came back and met Dante, who’s now a deacon and
Ato who’s coaching his own junior baseball team.
Since
we already had a little background about the film, we weren’t as surprised as
the other viewers of the film. And maybe that’s the same reason why we didn’t
felt enthralled by the film. It has also been a big aspect that none of the
kids who acted didn’t have much acting background which made it sound too scripted. We really enjoyed the
‘bobo’ jokes between Dante and Ato. Though it was quite corny, its consistency
all throughout the film was entertaining and funny. This film’s also important
for us, MassComm students because, at some way, it tackles Mass Media Ethics.
The dilemma Eloisa, played by Alessandra de Rosi, faced can happen to any
journalist or media person.
There are
a lot of things that mainstream media, particularly television, can learn from
Independent films. A lot of times, mainstream films are so much into business
and profit that they sometime put the quality at stake and worst, totally
forget about the quality. It’s like most films nowadays, are just concerned in
profit and popularity. Also, since mainstream film production targets a larger
audience, it’s cautious when it comes to making films that concerns social
issues. This way, such films can reach out to the majority of people, thus,
making the problem known to all. It’s not that it will solve social issues such
as poverty; human trafficking or corruption, what I’m pointing out is that it
will be an eye-opener to the mass. And maybe become a start of change. But
isn’t it that the main point of making indie films is not for exploitation but
rather to promote awareness? Apart from this, mainstream media should also
adapt the meticulous independent films when it comes to technical aspects. Like
for example, Sana Dati, a film that
did not compromise neither the screenplay nor the technicalities and aced at
both aspects. We always thought that indie films are low budgeted and cannot
make a film that’s as neat as Sana Dati.
It’s an example of a film that will surely be a hit in mainstream cinemas and
surprisingly, it’s an indie film. There are a lot of other things that
mainstream media can learn from indie films, it’s just that the audiences of
indie films are so limited that only a few people are able to see. In contrary,
Indie films can also learn from Mainstream media such as the ability of
mainstream media to ace when it comes to profit. Casting mainstream actors,
which most indie films does today, can be a big help to promote an indie film,
hence, making its audience bigger.
Though Independent
films didn’t have the chance to be viewed by the mass, it surely is a pillar
not only to Philippine Cinema but to the entire Philippine media. Through
Cinemalaya, filmmakers have the chance to break film conventions to express
their thoughts without too much critics from the public. However, since for an
ordinary person, Indie films are too liberal for tackling too sensitive topics,
Cinemalaya should be cautious enough to appeal to the conservative mindset of
most Filipinos.
Our family enjoys watching movies especially
indie films, even before my first experience of Cinemalaya I've known about the
film festival because of my dad is in the industry and what indie films are and
it's difference with mainstream films, I'm fond in watching indie films because
it shows the reality of our society and the film makers has a different way of
delivering their stories, a unique and very artistic way. In Cinemalaya we can
see the freedom of film makers, no buts no doubts but i hope that
they won't abuse that freedom, I've notice some people when they hear
"Indie Film" they immediatley think of nudety,malicious or
liberated scenes and I've notice that this year's entries containted
nudety and etc... for me Indie films are form of art, realism and brings
message differently or outside the box.
My experience this year was different from the previous Cinemalaya
that I went to. This year I'm really happy and excited because I can really
feel that I'm part of the industry even thou I'm just still studying. The feels
of being a Mass Communication student, The vibe that in the future i'll be part
of this industry. Cinemalaya also inspired me to be a film maker,
before Cinemalaya i'm not yet sure what job I want but in the help of Cinemalaya
i'm thinking of being a Director or Production staff. —Alexis
As I have
been watched the three indie films, I feel so inspired. All of them were great.
Every director did good job. Aside from the indie films, a mainstream
television can learn a lot from them. Like for example: having a double vision,
taking a shot in one place, and most of all, being realistic. Cinemalaya has a
value to Philippine media. It shows to the public what an indie films can do or
what does it have compared to other mainstream movies. On the Philippine
cinema, its value was giving people an attention to watch and focus on the
movie. What I really like was having in a proper sequence of the movie so that
I can understand well the movie I am watching.
When the
time came that we will go to the CCP to watch some Cinemalaya indie films, I
felt so really excited. At first, I’m not fond in some indie films. But at this
time, I wanted to watch all of the indie films but I have no time to watch all
of them. Before I knew about the Cinemalaya, I have watched one indie film
“Kubrador”, that makes me caught an attention to watch some indie films. That’s
why when it was mentioned to us that we will go to CCP, my heart was so lively.
Then after I’ve watched 5 indie films, it makes me inspired. I am very well
impressed in all of the directors, actors and actresses, and producers. I am
hoping that someday, I would be part of any movie. —Drea
Experiencing
Cinelamaya was so much fun though it is my first ever experienced on it. Funny right?
But hey! it’s never too late. Ever since I was familiar about indie films but
never get a chance to watch at least one. I guess one reason is that what I
only know about it was it always involves “romantic scenes” which I proved
myself wrong. The opening ceremony of Cinemalaya is what got me so excited, for
we came to see some actors & directors in person and even get a chance to
take pictures. And of course the
documentary that was shown for the opening film entitled “Jazz in love” which
for me was so successful.
What’s
really good in Indie films is that you could really notice and appreciate the
art that the filmmakers have brought to their film. Also, the significance that
they wanted to throw to the audience was really there, the uniqueness in their
film was really noticeable, and the most evident is that independent films
gives way to new breed of artistic/creative filmmakers.
Though I
never get the chance to watch all the films, even those films that I really
want to look at because of the conflicting schedules, still, I was so grateful
to witness such a prestigious local film festival. And I was looking forward to
take part in next year’s Cinemalaya. After all, Cinemalaya Is something that we
should all commend for they give audience something to look forward to, such
as; different style,different genre and new faces of actor. – Andi :*
The most
awaited event of this school year has come—Cinemalaya 2013. I was actually a
bit ignorant that watching Cinemalaya movies is a requirement for Film Appreciation
but as soon as I found out about it, I was already excited. My transformation
to being a hardcore movie fan is slowly happening! :D Kidding aside, I have
always wanted to watch independent films, but never had a chance unless it was
shown on TV years after it was initially shown. This experience was definitely
not like any other. The films we were about to watch were not just any ordinary
independent films—these films are finalists in a prestigious local film
festival. Some these might actually compete in different film festivals abroad.
And who knows? One of them might actually win an international recognition.
That would be so much pleasure to be part of the first few people to have
watched these films before somebody download it in torrent, err, illegally. I
felt like a kid in a new playground at CCP in that three-day Cinemalaya
experience. I really had fun but at the same time, I felt like I didn’t make
the most out of this experience. I wish I had more time to watch more films.
I’m also thankful I had the chance to watch this year because I have watched
one of the best Filipino films I had ever watched which is Sana Dati. I think it’s pretty obvious in my film blog entry my
love for that film. I have a knack for romantic film (who aren’t, right?), and
it surely pulled my heartstrings. It’s probably the best film cinematography I
have watched, so far, well I haven’t really watched that much. J The experience was so fun but still
imperfect. I promise myself that I’ll definitely watch more next year. See you
next year, Cinemalaya! J
—Shaina
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