OPEN24:7: REVIEW SOMETHING: 10TH CINEMALAYA FILM FESTIVAL

Film Review

10th Cinemalaya Film Festival

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  The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is a film festival in the  Philippine held annually during the months of July and August at the Cultural Center of the Philippines . Its aim is the development and promotion of Filipino independent films The film festival is organized by the Cinemalaya Foundation, with the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Econolink Investments, Inc.

BWAYA (New Breed)
Director: Francis Xavier Pasion
4.5/5 

Bwaya was the first film I’ve seen from this year’s batch, the film is all about searches for answers as a mother desperately seeks her 13-year-old daughter whose body went missing after a crocodile attacked her in the marshlands of Agusan del Sur. Divina learns a lesson more tragic than her daughter Rowena’s fate: not all predators lie underwater.

Francis Xavier Pasion is a very clever filmmaker, and we wonder if this cleverness might actually impede his development, it's like watching something beautiful under glass.

In the Agusan marsh, gorgeously photographed by Neil Daza.

In terms of performance, Angeli Bayani continues to solidify her reputation as one of the country's most committed thespians. She spoke in Manobo in the entire film. She inhabited her character both physically and spiritually. If you observe the brief scene when the real mother embraces her two children, you will discover that Bayani's portrayal of the real mother is dead on: from the way the mother moves and cries to the way she sits and speaks. That is method acting at work or perhaps just instinctive talent.

1st KO SI 3^rd (New Breed)
Director: Real Florido

3.5/5

 1st ko si 3rd - Trailer

1st Ko si 3rd was the second film I’ve seen from this year’s batch, the film revolves around a simple yet unconventional love story. Corazon (Nova Villa), a recently retired government employee, crosses paths again with her first love, Third (Freddie Webb), decades after their abrupt separation. The incident rekindles Corazon's old feelings, and presents a way out of her already monotonous marriage to Alejandro (Dante Rivero).

She is not used to the silence and to spending every waking hour with just her husband, Alejandro. She wonders if this is all she is to do and can expect for the rest of her life, after spending a good deal of it working so hard.

Then unexpectedly, Cory bumps into Third, her first love. Third was the first man who made her fall in love deeply. He was her teenage dream. She cannot forget Third because their first date never happened.

Cory brings with her a handful of love letters she never gave to Third, kept all through the years they were apart. She is now ready to give them to her first love. On the day of their first date, Cory will realize what is lacking with her relationship with Alejandro as she discovers if “first love never dies”.

  

Hustisya

Director: Joel Lamangan

3.0/5

 Hustisya - Trailer

A foul-mouthed woman fights for her soul in the belly of the city. Working for a human trafficking agency controlled by a powerful syndicate, she sees no evil, hears no evil. In a society like ours, you have only two choices - to be a victim, or a victimizer - she makes her choice. 

Film Synopsis

“Hustisya” is the most awaited film in this year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival and the one with the most advanced publicity for one reason. It stars no less than the Superstar, Ms. Nora Aunor. Every new film that stars Ms. Aunor is an event, especially this one, following the recent controversial presidential snub of her nomination for National Artist.

 

The most important question

"Ano ang binulong kay biring?"