Cinema One Originals: Bendor

Bendor

Director: Ralston Jover
With: Vivian Velez

'Cinema One Originals' entries this year reek promise as they provided kick ass teasers for each film. Deglamorized Vivian Velez is a standout in these teasers as she was shown with convincing facial expressions and strong delivery of her lines.

I was able to see 'Bendor' last night in the same theater with the lead actress herself, Vivian Velez. I watched it in Glorietta where plenty of stars or what we call artista can be seen everywhere. From mainstream actors to indie veterans to the men behind cameras, they're all present. It's an exciting experience as everyone seemed so energetic. This was my first time to attend a premiere night for a Cinema One Original film so I was extra enthusiastic about the whole thing. Bendor seemed like the most reassuring film among the entries so I was lucky to catch it after my office shift.

'Bendor' appears to be a thrilling mystery crime film about a vendor around the area of Quiapo church, where Vivian Velez plays as a vendor in a matriarchal family trying to survive the dangerous and poverty-filled jungle of Quiapo by selling candles, fruits and vegetables while organizing illegal abortions. But as encouraging and interesting as that sound, the film leaves its viewers hanging in a story that could have been beautiful. It's obviously trying to focus on a single story but it's consistently distracted with Ralston Jover's aim to be deep and artsy. The movie practically begs its audience to wonder but it just ends up being pretentious. With bloated unnecessary scenes, dialogues and ploys, one can cut the film in 20 minutes while getting its point across to its viewers.  There are also several symbolisms and underlying meanings that weren't justified well. Frankly, it's very disappointing, especially Quiapo is a perfect setting for a riveting film and the concept of a Quiapo vendor who runs abortion has a lot of potential. But Jover has a different approach.

I sensed the awkwardness in the theater when the movie ended. Hesitant claps, people rushing to the exit. Luckily for Miss Velez, she's really good in this and her performance is something this film should be proud of. They squeezed her acting talent well. The last scene of 'Bendor' showed Velez' excellence in acting but even that scene is just pointless and just screams 'Hey, let's give Vivian an emotional scene so she can win Best Actress'.