1. Tanabata's Wife
Charles Ong, Choy Pangilinan, & Lito Casaje
An exquisite cross-cultural love story between a lonely Japanese farmer and a strong independent Bontoc woman seemingly amidst the American colonialism.
This is a simple story told in the simplest way but its impact is lasting with one of the most haunting endings I’ve ever seen.
Both Fas-ang and Tabanata are characters I’d love to see more. Watching them bargain money and rice, to living together with each other’s unique culture, falling in love... and even simply planting vegetables together is weirdly therapeutic. Helps a lot that it’s furnished with magnificent cinematography of Bontoc matched with a sad oriental-sounding score.
2. Sol Searching
Roman Perez, Jr.
Funny, disturbingly silly even, but always grounded with the sad reality, vision about farming :), and humanity, at least with some of its characters.
It’s scene after scene of hilarity, that one would find themselves guilty for laughing, because it’s about death and the unfortunate truth of the titular character’s legacy.
There’s that one scene in Sol’s wake where her daughter gives an intense heartfelt tirade against their disrespectful visitors only to be outshined by an explosive scene involving Chokoleit. It’s ridiculous, but in a good way. Patay Na si Hesus could never. JK
Pokwang has always been good in dramatic roles. Like her turn in Mercury is Mine, she thrives in characters that are morally complex.
Lastly, I love the Carol-esque same beginning and end scene with different meanings treatment. Genius!
3. Mga Anak ng Kamote
Carlo Catu
Set in the Philippines, 2052, sweet potato planting has been outlawed and those caught planting and selling them are put in jail, no thanks to the "Kamote Planting Regulation Act".
I like it better as a mystery drama. Loses me in the second act when it tries to overexplain and be political. Lures me back in the dramatic third and final act.
I’d like to see another version of it without the politics because there are several interesting moments even without it.
Carlo Catu and Pacala are really fond of metaphors and I love it. Although I’d like to know why half of the movie was spent on Katrina Halili’s enigmatic and deglam'd (daw) face. It’s not until the ending when we saw a wide shot of her in a cathartic breakdown moment.
4. Kaugayan
Julienne Ilagan
“When was the last time you embraced your way of life?”
Kauyagan has a concrete story of family, identity and culture complete with restrained but impactful climax, enhanced by soaring music that elevates the film and uplifts hearts, but stricken by terrible acting that it makes the whole thing look unnatural.
Makes me wonder, what matters more for filmmakers? Opportunities for indigenous people to act in movies? or simply make a well-acted film regardless of the actors? Can’t it be both? James Mayo did in The Chanters so it’s definitely possible.
Still, this movie has a lot of heart and tender moments that one can’t help but be smitten by its simplicity, and what it’s trying to convey.
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