INDIE naman! - Cinemalaya 2011: "See the Unseen"

Usual movies out in the public must have been always click to what we used to be. No wonder, most of them are blockbuster hit, and of course because of the technicalities and the efforts (including the enormous budget) lend to these flicks. However, such are unrealistic to think? Especially action and fantasy as well as sci-fi and horror… Most of them aren’t clearly stating a boundary between real and what’s not. Thus, we may indeed so much fed up with these mainstreams. Not saying it’s seriously dangerous to go beyond the imagination but what sometimes we need to think and care of is the realities surrounding us. And here is where and maybe why indie or independent films are made. Exceptional in every ways, as not only the technical aspects that vary but most of all, its realistic approach to audience.

Talking about realistic approach… One of the entry in the Cinemalaya Film Fest was the film by Erick Salud that was based on Palanca Awardee – Eros Atalia’s third book. 

The movie revolves around a love story well, definitely has a “twist” of unusual narration of combining romance and comedy though lots of vulgar words and scenes were used which maybe the factor which fascinates it by the viewers of modern age. However, the production team deserves to be pat on the back for managing to translate these things to screen without being too offensive. Realistically tackling about the lives and behaviors of this generation, adventurous and rebellious. Nevertheless, in the end it goes to show that youth of these days still giving importance the values of the olds… despite the constant change in our culture. And that when it comes to love, it can surpass any limitations as long as you’re willing to wait.

Another film which was”Busong”, though not necessarily depicts all about reality like the metamorphosis of butterflies on Alessandra de Rossi (the lead actress) but considered art of representing birth and change after death and trials, the movie still focuses on the indigenous culture of our country that is continually fading through modernism, the belief systems of our ancestors which was still practice synonymously by those who lives in the mountains, forests and seas. However, some of the scenes are really boring and I really find my self almost out of consciousness or even completely asleep.

The film “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa”, also tackles about the youth of these generations. Rare story but most probably could happen in real life, with these days’ youth… A rich student who admires his teacher so much that willing to do anything just for him to be noticed, but as what is not expected developed feelings for his classmates who have feelings for him, who happen to be a guy also. This kind of story also depicts the modern age, wherein so many guys (or even girls) these days are not ashamed at all to express their feelings and even be wedded or to have same sex marriage.

I can say that these years Cinemalaya Film Fest was one of the best and extravagant film fest. Not only because it was the first time that it was allowed eight neighboring asian countries joined the festival (though we didn’t had the opportunity to watch some of them) but of course, the collaboration of our local and other country’s great films that this fest has always best to offer. I just wish, next time around, it would be more than just a (one) day of watching these rare and heart warming films.