Like Ang Huling Cha Cha ni Anita in the first edition of the festival, Ice Idanan’s Sakaling Di Makarating is a film that spent a lot of time in limbo. The script spent years being submitted into our various festivals, before finally finding a home in CineFilipino. And it’s pretty good. The film follows Cielo (Alessandra de Rossi), who receives a series of hand painted postcards depicting various scenes from around the country, each one with a message that talks of love and regret. Cielo doesn’t quite know who the cards are from, and she decides to travel to each of the places on the postcards, hoping to find out who her mystery admirer is.
What follows is basically a tour of some of the most beautiful, picturesque sights in the country. This is ostensibly a romantic film, but it is less about coupling than it is about self-discovery, the postcards a catalyst for several characters to take personal journeys that break them out of their comfort zones. There is Cielo, in stasis following the dissolution of a very long-term relationship. There is her neighbor Paul (Pepe Herrera), who seems to also be moving to a new phase in his life. And later in the film, these painted postcards become something important to a girl just coming-of-age.
The film comes off as aimless, but that’s kind of the point. It drifts along on the journey, only vaguely trying to make of its central mysteries, reveling instead in watching these characters grow as they pursue this weird, magical quest of lost loves and strange coincidences. It’s lovely stuff, especially as brought to life by these actors. This film has taken a long route to being made, and I’m really glad to just see on the screen already.
Ned’s Project, by Lemuel Lorca, won the best film prize for this festival. Ned (Angeli Bayani) is a lesbian tattoo artist who wants to have a child. She intends to do it through artificial insemination, and to get the money to pay for the procedures, she signs up for a contest that is basically a talent show for lesbians. She asks one of her clients, Ashley (Max Eigenmann), to teach her to dance, all the while pining for her new teacher.
I am really uncomfortable with where the film goes. I don’t want to give too much away, but the third involves some scenes that are played comedic, even though the reality presented is more than a little questionable. I also take issue with the staging of the contest, which never feels like it was fully thought through. So much more could have been done in exploring this event, which ends up being a pretty terrible dance competition.
But in spite of those major reservations, there is some really solid work in this movie. Apart from those iffy sections, the movie does a great job of presenting a very specific reality of marginalization. And when you’ve got Angeli Bayani as your lead actress, you’re just not going to have any real trouble conveying the drama. She shares ample chemistry with Max Eigenmann, their pairing sustaining the movie even through the cornier portions. I do still have very big problems with the film’s third act, but I can’t entirely dismiss its better qualities.
Paolo Herras’ Buhay Habangbuhay is adapted from a graphic novel co-created by the director. It tells the story of Sandy (Iza Calzado), who dies while doing chores in the morning, and wakes up a ghost. She sticks around the house, and watches her husband Joel (Jake Macapagal) slowly get over the death and start a new family. Sandy believes that she’ll be able to move on after Joel passes, too, but there seems to be something else holding her back.
The story doesn't progress much in intensity. Its opening moments are its most interesting, when we’re learning what it is that these ghosts can do. But after a point, the narrative stops moving. The characters become settled in their new status quo, and the movie presents a series of sequences where there is nothing to be resolved. This is one of those things that might work on the page, but flounders on screen. It also doesn’t help that the visual effects aren’t great.
But there is talent evident here. I do like how quiet the film is, how intent it is on telling this story without words. The only problem is that it seems to give on this in its final stretch, its climax basically one long conversation that spells out what Sandy needs to be doing. There is promise here, though. I’d be interested to see what other kinds of stories Herras has up his sleeve.
I actually really like the premise of 1st Sem, co-directed by Dexter Hemedez and Allan Ibanez. It’s a very low-key story that feels pretty real. I’ve certainly heard stories like it: a provincial kid cracks under the pressure of being the first in his family to get into a big Manila university, and gives it all up to live back home and face the disappointment of his friends and family.
But this movie just doesn’t work out. I think it’s a problem of directorial treatment. This film probably would have benefitted from a more naturalistic style; perhaps even mimicking a documentary treatment. It feels overly stagey, the movie’s drama cutting into the low-key reality of the premise. It just doesn’t work out.
Below is the full list of this festival’s award winners:
Best Picture: Ned’s Project
2nd Best Picture: Sakaling Hindi Makarating
3rd Best Picture: Star Na Si Van Damme Stallone
Best Actress: Angeli Bayani (Ned’s Project) and Candy Pangilinan (Star Na Si Van Damme Stallone)
Best Actor: Pepe Herrera (Sakaling Hindi Makarating)
Best Supporting Actress: Max Eigenmann (Ned’s Project)
Best Supporting Actor: Isaac Aguirre (Star Na Si Van Damme Stallone)
Best Screenplay: John Bedia (Ned’s Project)
Best Cinematography: Ice Idanan (Sakaling Hindi Makarating) and Tey Clamor (Ned’s Project)
Best Production Design: Ned’s Project
Best Sound: Raffy Magsaysay (Sakaling Hindi Makarating)
Best Musical Score: Mon Espia (Sakaling Hindi Makarating)
Best Editing: Hannah Espia (Sakaling Hindi Makarating)
Best TV Series Pilot: Junakis
2nd Best TV Series Pilot: Midlife
3rd Best TV Series Pilot: Agham Inc
Best Documentary Film: Sina Dino At Ang Kanilang Sikreto
Best Short Film: Kung Ang Ulan ay Gawa sa Tsokolate
2nd Best Short Film: Not Applicable
3rd Best Short Film: Chikboy
Best Online Content:
“Dayuhan Sa Perlas” by Raynier Brizuela
“Iba’t Ibang Klase Ng Pasahero Ng Jeep” by Raymundo Baguilat
“Swerte” by Red Aquino
“Hila Ko Si Noy” by Dexter Paul De Jesus
“How Fast” by Vic Ryan Julius Ong
Best Mobile Video: “Kahon” by Carlos Dala I
