Vince and Kath and James review

Romantic films can be cheesy and predictable most of the time. But when the formula is done right, you'll be surprised with how affecting it can be.

The same can be said with Theodore Boborol's teen-oriented romantic comedy film Vince and Kath and James. An adaptation of the hit online text-serye, the film stars Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia and Ronnie Alonte in the lead roles. It is the only film produced by a big house movie company (Star Cinema) in the recently concluded Metro Manila Film Festival 2016. And surprisingly, it doesn't feel like most of it's studio's other films. In fact, it's better than most of Star Cinema's previous romance films.

The film follows Vince (in an outstanding performance by Joshua Garcia) a hopeless romantic college guy who is secretly in love with his bestfriend, Kath (Julia Barretto). Afraid to tell his feeling for her in person, he decided to create a blog where he expresses all his feelings for her through short but meaningful words. Kath is the school's beauty queen, who attracts the attention of Vince's cousin, the school jock James (Ronnie Alonte, in his second MMFF entry this year). James in his behalf through text, hiding behind the nickname Var (short for varsity). Then, James would meet up with her to introduce himself as Var. But things becomes more complicated as Vince can no longer hide his true feelings for his bestfriend. Will he accomplish the task? Or will he finally take the risk and decide to tell her his true feelings? At first, the story may come as too common for those people who have watched quite a lot of romantic films before. But I guess, what makes this film stand out from it's genre is the execution of the film. Sometimes, with the right people and the right skills, the most common stories can become a surprisingly amazing film. This is exactly the case for Vince and Kath and James. With the right people behind and in front of the camera, they were able to create a heartwarming film out of this typical romcom story.

I've been following Theodore Boborol and his works this past two years already. I remember watching his film, Just The Way You Are starring Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil way back in 2015. The film was also another adaptation of an online series entitled The Bet. Then, I saw his second romcom that same year, Everyday I Love You, starring Liza and Enrique again, but this time, with Gerald Anderson as the third party. From his two films, one will notice that he is able to bring out the chemistry between his actors, and uses it to the film's advantage. The uses the same technique to his latest work which I must say is one of the best romance films from last year. He has this amazing skill that allows him to bring as much as chemistry he wants from Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto and Ronnie Alonte whenever they are on screen. This gives him more control over his story, letting him create and weave those sweet moments overflowing with kilig for the audiences. I remember when I watched this film, girls inside the cinema were actually shrieking whenever they would see the leads being paired together on screen.

The script is also one of the best things about this film. The dialogues are so hip and updated and doesn't sound too corny and artificial. You know that feeling when you're watching movies and television series and you hear the characters talking. Sometimes, when they speak, their lines feel like they come from a different era, like they're from a movie from the 1990's to early 2000's. It doesn't feel real and authentic. But with this movie's script, you will really feel like you're watching real people on screen. They talk the same way that people (teens, in particular) talk in real life. They act like a normal teen in the the real world would act. They think like a real person would think in reality. I guess it is also the same reason why this movies best fits millennials like me. The film gives a lot of focus on social media, as all of the characters are using it one way or another. The film uses it as a technique or device to move the story forward. From texts, to blogs and online social networking sites, the writer knows that these things are important to the average millennial today, and so it uses it to tell stories, create conflict and at times, provide resolutions. The film also uses it as a way of creating those cute "awww" moments, those sweet one liners and quotes that will leave a mark on your heart and mind. 

Of course, the film wouldn't work if not for the amazing performances of it's lead. Julia Barretto proves that she is indeed worthy of her Barretto name. She is perfect of the role of Kath. I can't think of any actress that could pull of that role aside from her. She shows dedication to her craft, and I know for sure that she will continue to do good in this business. Ronnie Alonte is also good in his portrayal of James. Although just like his other MMFF film, Seklusyon, his acting isn't on par with the rest of his co-actors. I don't know why but whenever I see him, his face feels a bit blank and lacking enough emotion during those dramatic scenes. I guess he just needs a little more workshop. But when it comes to the romantic moments with Julia Barretto, he manages to get everyone tickled with sweetness.

But the one who really stood out from this film was Joshua Garcia. I have followed this kid from the start. i've watched him during his days as a housemate in one of the past editions of the reality show Pinoy Big Brother and I've seen him act in television series like Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita and films like Barcelona : A Love Untold (2016). I've watched him grow from a teen to a bit more mature actor. He is the central character of the film for me. He manages to steal our attention and focus during his scenes. He is able to make everyone fall for Vince. To like him. To love him. And to root for him. He even made me shed a tear or two while watching the film. One of my favorite scenes from the film was that moment he saw his mother (played by Ina Raymundo) after a long time of being away from her. That scene (and I guess all their scenes together) really made me cry. Then, there's that scene with Julia Barretto as he brings her a pint of ice cream and comforts her after some family issues (there's a lot of it in the film). He's like a younger version of John Lloyd Cruz, although he still have a long way to go. But I know and I believe that with the right guidance and selection of projects, he gonna be one of the best actors to watch out for in the future.

But aside from this, the biggest thing that makes this film memorable is it's infectious soundtrack that adds more sweetness and kilig to it's moments. One can't help but sing while the song O, Pag-ibig! by Ylona Garcia and Bailey May or when Simpleng Tulad Mo by Daniel Padilla is playing in the background. These earworm music quicly lifts up the audiences emotions, making the film more engaging as it can be.

No wonder the committee picked this film as one of the eight entries for the recent Metro manila Film Festival. This movie is a proof that with the even big house studios can actually produce good quality films with the right material and the right handling and execution. Featuring outstanding performances from it's leads, a relatable set of characters, realistic script and amazing direction, this is undeniably one of the better Filipino romance film from last year.
Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰ out of 5

Starring Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia and Ronnie Alonte,
Directed by Theodore Boborol

Sunday Beauty Queen Review

Sometimes, to appreciate a film, all we need is a little bit of heart.

To start off, I am not a big fan of documentaries. I am not built to watch these types of films as I tend to loose focus on what's happening on screen along the way. I think it has something to do with me having a very short attention span. But there is always that one movie that stands out and becomes an exception.

Baby Ruth Villarama's Sunday Beauty Queen is a 2016 Philippine documentary film which follows the lives of five Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong in their everyday routine, alongside their preparations for the annual beauty pageant. It is one of the eight official entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival 2016. The film is also historical and groundbreaking as it is the first documentary film to enter the said festival. With that being said, it was a very odd entry compared to the rest of the films in the film festival. Yet as it turns out, the film perfectly fits the visions and goals of the new MMFF. It even grabbed the Best Picture award of the recent festival, making it the first ever documentary to win the much coveted award. Shot over the span of three years and edited by her husband who is also part of Voyager Studios, Chuck Gutierrez, this movie has been a labor of love for her. And after seeing the film with my own eyes, I couldn't agree more.

The film follows five domestic helpers days before and during the annual beauty pageant held in Hong Kong for Filipina migrant workers. These domestic workers grind their bodies and tire their minds six days a week, for almost ten hours. But instead of sleeping and resting their exhausted bodies during their rest day, they come together to prepare for the annual beauty pageant. These beauty pageant is organized by Leo Selomenio, who is considered as one of those lucky OFW who is able to have a much comfortable life in Hong Kong and has her own flat which she shares with her partner, unlike those others who have to sleep in a very small space in their bosses' home. Leo is also one of the leaders of the Filipino community in the country, providing assistance to any fellow OFW who needed help. The pageant, which was originally conceived as fund raisers to help the Filipino community in Hong Kong, soon grew from a one time thing to an annual tradition. Everyone is looking forward every Sunday to prepare for the said event. It serves as their escape from the exhausting lives these migrant workers have from Monday to Saturday. But aside from focusing on the pageantry itself, the film also tackles multiple issues that these migrant workers are experiencing every now and then.

Early into the film, we meet one female worker who got home late past her curfew after attending the pageant. Her employer decided to kick her out and fire her that night. We are then told that migrant workers like her are only given 14 days by Hong Kong law to get a new employer and a new job, or else, she will be deported from the country. Aside from this, we hear the usual stories of OFWs who end up having a sour relationship with their employers. Leo narrates at one point of the film that her first employer wasn't really good to her. They even had her sleep at a very small room which was an extension of the kitchen, so when a storm came past their area, the roof of the room flew away, soaking her and all her stuff wet. There's even one story from another OFW wherein she narrates that her boss even forbids her to sit in the sofa. She was told to sleep in the floor, in the kitchen near the refrigerator, if I remember correctly. But what's so beautiful about this film is that it doesn't put too much weight on these long line of abuses.

The film also gives time to show that their are some families in Hong Kong who treat their helpers like family. One best example would be Jack Soo and his helper, Mylyn. Jack is a well known entertainment producer in Hong Kong, and Mylyn has been helping him everyday to move around his place (he lives alone despite having lots of children and grandchildren). Mylyn has already formed a very strong bond with her employer. So strong that we cant help but shed a tear during one of the most unexpected moments of the film.

To be honest, this film is not for everyone. I'm pretty sure not all viewers would appreciate it. The film festival has been catering mostly to family friendly films. Films that would be appreciated by kids around the age of seven below usually top the festival, since majority of the festival's market are families who go to the cinemas to watch movies with their little kids. These kids most likely would appreciate the film that much since there are some moments in the film that can only be understood by reading the subtitles and text on screen. These kids would have any idea what's already going on screen as they can't hardly read those text and would easily loose their focus from watching. I remember when I watched Sunday Beauty Queen last January 2, 2016 at SM Fairview. during the screening, I got distracted with some kids screaming and playing around inside the cinema. Luckily, they stopped after a few minutes so I was able to go back to the film I was watching. I admit, there were also some moments when I started to lose focus from the film as I feel like there are some scenes that were just too long yet nothing is happening yet. I told you from the very start of this review. I am not built for watching movies like this.

But despite that, I love Sunday Beauty Queen. I have already seen at least four films from the recently concluded Metro Manila Film Festival, and of all those four films, this is the first and only one that made me cry. Yes, I shed a tear more than once while watching this documentary. I have seen a lot of movies with tragic stories but none of them has touched and struck my heart like what Sunday Beauty Queen did. I guess it's because what I was watching at that time were real people going through their everyday lives. The pain, the suffering, the hardship and the stories that I was hearing from them were all real.

In one of the film's most unforgettable and heartbreaking moments for me, we see a mother, Hazel Perdido, a computer science graduate who's been working in Hong Kong as a domestic helper for 8 years, as she watches her daughter's graduation through video chat. The bad connection causes the video chat to keep on breaking up, but she still patiently watches her daughter march to the stage at the school ceremony. I don't know but this scene just broke my heart. That moment should have been one of the happiest moments in a mother's life. Seeing her child march up to the stage to accept her diploma. but for Hazel, it was rather bittersweet as she cannot even be there to personally hug and congratulate her own daughter for her achievement. 

But then, after all these heartbreaking moments of the film, the audiences are lifted up from their sad mood by the pageantry that comes later into the final act of the film. This is the part where the film gives the spotlight to the candidates as they go into actual competition along with other participants. We see all the contestants in colorful gowns and over-heavy make up. We are able to witness their much-awaited talent portion. We also get a very humorous Q and A portion with one of the most unforgettable answers of the day after the emcee asks one of the contestants: "What is tourism?" She struggled to finish her answer with broken English but she manages to finish it and made us all smile. It was enough to lift our spirits up and assure us that despite all the sad stories behind these people, they are still able to have fun just like the rest of us. We are reminded that this is not just another sad story to down us. It is a feel-good movie to inspire us.

And just when you thought everything was already over, the film gives a sort-of epilogue to each of the stories of these women. We get a glimpse of the lives of these people after the pageant. As we find out what happened to each one of them, we can't help but hope that someday, everything will be better for them. There's one that really tore my heart and pushed me to the edge, crying. But there's some that signified a happy ending for these women.

Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, Baby Ruth Villarama's documentary definitely deserves it's Best Picture award. Of all the entries of this year's Metro Manila Film Festival, this is one hell of an emotional roller coaster ride. You can't help but cry, laugh and smile all throughout the film. This is not just a movie, it is a labor of love. It promises to uplift your spirits high upon leaving the theater, and it fulfills it's promise with flying colors (and with dazzling gowns and crowns).

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰ out of 5

Starring Hazel Perdido, Cherrie Mae Bretana, Mylyn Jacobo, Leo Selomenio, Rudelyn Acosta

Directed by Baby Ruth Villarama

Saving Sally Review

Rhian Ramos as Sally with Enzo Marcos as Marty.
(Screengrab from Youtube)

Sometimes, passion can push you further to do the impossible. And here's one that proves this.

Imagine what love can do to someone as dedicated and passionate like director Avid Liongoren. Well, he just proved that sometimes, with a little bit of faith, patience and hard work. great things... impossible things can actually happen. And his film Saving Sally is here to show that to us. His film, an animated scifi romantic fantasy film, is the first of it's kind here in the Philippines. It blends live action with 2D animation to an amazing effect. Imagine the films Scott Pilgrim vs. the World or Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, but with Rhian Ramos as a nerdy girl who is the love interest of the main protagonist. Robots, monsters, and all sorts of things pop up everywhere in this beautiful mix of romance and animation.

Saving Sally follows Marty, played my Enzo Marcos, who is secretly in love with his best friend Sally, played by Rhian Ramos. Marty is a comic book fan. Hew also loves making comic books of his own. He is the typical geeky guy in movies and television series. At the same time, he also sees the world differently. He sees bad people as monsters, walking among us everyday and everywhere. Sally, an artist, inventor, and self-proclaimed mercenary, has a very strict parents. Played perfectly by Archie Adamos and Shamaine Buencamino, her parents who are also portrayed in the film (and in Marty's eyes) as monsters, are very abusive to her. They often lock her up in their house and even hurt her. Probably it's because they're just her adoptive parents. Or they're just crazy. Whatever. But in addition to this, she is also in love with the wrong guy- Nick the Dick, played by TJ Trinidad. And yes, Nick is literally and figuratively a dick as he is a bad influence to her and is putting her more into trouble. So instead of telling Sally his real feelings for her, he decided to just save her from her jerk boyfriend and her abusive parents.

As we all have been made aware of, it took ten years to complete Saving Sally. That's why it has been one of the most talked-about films in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival. People have been wondering, how come this film took 10 freaking years to make? Well, it's the same problem that every other indie film director had to deal with in this industry. Lack of budget and support. 

Principal photography for the film under the helm of Liongoren began as early as 2005 but it came to a halt due to financial constraint. After two to three years, French film producer Alain de la Mata, decided to help Liongoren after the former was impressed with the idea behind the film. The producer remarked that the film's sounds and special effects were poor, and asked if they can reshoot the film. The film originally involved 3D elements, devised puppets, and members of the cast wearing costumes as monsters but these were later scrapped and they all decided to focus on 2D animation instead. Production resumed in 2010 and everything had to be done from scratch. Green screen were used for the film which was later superimposed with 2D animated elements. Artists from Rocket Sheep were responsible for the creation of the futuristic Manila background, as well as the 2D animated monsters. At this time, the original actress to play Sally was no longer available so they also had to find a replacement. This is when Rhian Ramos was able to grab the role. Although they received a grant from the French government, this was not enough to finish the material. That is the reason why they had to put up a website where they asked people who are interested to give donations in terms of monetary assistance in finishing the film. Alas, after a long and painful ten-year journey, Saving Sally was completed. And after seeing the final product, I couldn't help but be amazed with what director Avid Liongoren and his team has achieved here. 

Saving Sally is one of the most gorgeous Filipino films I have seen in a very long time. I never imagined that I would experience something as beautiful as this film. I've read somewhere online that people were not so impressed with it. They kept on comparing this gem to other animated movies like Disney's Frozen. What these people don't understand is that Saving Sally is an independently produced film which relied on a very small budget. It relied on grants, donations and it almost took all of it's director's savings. Disney has a whole company of animators who create there films using state-of-the-art technology. This film was made by a group of people (five, if I'm not mistaken) who painstakingly drew each frame of the film in a little house in Teacher's Village, Quezon City for a duration of ten years. Imagine the hard work and dedication that they put into this project. Comparing it with Disney's other animation is just downright stupid and offensive.

Although the project was originally conceived to be seen by people online for free, the film turned out as something worth seeing in a theater. The 2D animations beautifully come to life in the big screen, taking you and the viewers to it's imaginative world. Honestly, I can't help but savor every detail of each frame of the film. It's as if you were watching a beautiful painting coming to life right before your eyes. The colors were so vibrant. The lines and shades were so slick. Every animated character brings a smile in my face. It's like watching those 2D animated films from Japan, but this time, they're speaking in English and Filipino and with real actors in the foreground. It is one of the most immersive movie experience I have felt while watching a Filipino film. The story is very formulaic, I admit. But when the film is as gorgeous as this, sometimes you forget those technicalities and focus more on just enjoying and falling in love with the astounding visuals that you see moving right before your eyes.

Aside from the 2D animations, another great aspect of this film is that it is perfectly cast. Rhian Ramos is just the right girl to play Sally. I know she was a bit young when she took over this role since this was filmed like a decade ago but she already has the acting skills to bring her character to life. Enzo Marcos was also good as Marty. He's not the usual handsome leading man type of protagonist that we see in every other film. But he perfectly embodies that shy type geeky guy that is hiding in each one of us. He is adorable as Marty, and that's enough. I guess that's also the same reason why he and Rhian Ramos has a pretty good chemistry on screen. TJ Trinidad looks like he is having lots of fun playing Nick the Dick, the jerk boyfriend of Sally. The character don't require too much emotions from him as his character is usually depicted in 2D animation but he is able to give the character some menace when needed. I must say that Archie Adamos and Shamaine Buencamino somehow steal the show during their scenes as Sally's menacing parents. Though their roles were very small, they were able to make a lot out of it.

Some may find the film a bit cheesy, others may think it's overrated. But admit it or not, it is undeniable that this film is one hell of a masterpiece. A product of love and dedication of a filmmaker. A moving work of art. It's a proof that something impossible can be achieved if you put enough (or lots) of faith, dedication and passion for it. Aside from making history in the recent Metro Manila Film Festival, Avid Liongoren's Saving Sally is sure to contribute a big part in our country's cinema. I'm pretty sure that the film will serve as catalysts for other filmmakers to push the boundaries of film animation in the country. And soon, it will be noticed by the international film community too. And for that alone, I couldn't be more grateful. 

Rating: ✰✰✰✰ out of 5

Saving Sally (2016)

Starring Rhian Ramos, Enzo Marcos and TJ Trinidad

Written by Charlene Sawit-Esguerra, directed by Avid Liongoren

Seklusyon Review

Rhed Bustamante as Anghela Sta. Ana,
a young girl gifted with healing powers in Seklusyon
(Screengrab from YouTube)

Evil is all around us. Evil takes all forms. Evil will come for you, no matter what you do or where you go.

Such idea is what drives this lone horror film entry in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival. Seklusyon (Seclusion) is director Erik Matti's fifth horror film. The first was Pasiyam (2004); second was Tiktik : The Aswang Chronicles (2012); third was Kubot : Aswang Chronicles 2 and the last one was the short films I is for Invincible (ABCs of Death 2, 2014) and Vesuvius. And of all his past works, this latest project is probably his best foray into the genre. And if compared to the past MMFF horror film entries that came before, this movie is probably way scarier and better than the very last nine installments of the Shake, Rattle & Roll franchise combined (with the exception of the 8th installment).

Erik Matti returns after his critically acclaimed entry last year, the thriller drama Honor thy Father (2015) which sparked the change of the film festival rules after the awards snub fiasco ( it was disqualified from the Best Picture category of the festival). Just like his last work, this film revolves around religion. While Honor Thy Father revolves around a religious congregation terrorizing a family after they got involved in a scam, Sekluyson follows four deacons who come face to face with evil during their ritualistic seclusion from the outside world. This period horror film, set in 1947, includes a subplot involving a priest who is investigating the miracles of a young girl named Anghela Sta. Ana. He believes that the nun who is accompanying the girl is evil and is trying to manipulate her. The film jumps from this narrative to back and forth to the first one as the story progresses, until it reaches it's final act where the two narratives meet.

The script, written by Anton C. Santamaria, bravely tackles ideas that we usually try to avoid. The events itself in the story acts as a metaphor, of how we react to today's news and events. The characters of Miguel (Ronnie Alonte), Fabian (Dominic Roque), Marco (John Vic De Guzman) and Carlo (JR Versales) are aspiring priest who must stay in a secluded location during the last seven days before they are anointed as official priests. During this stay, they are haunted by their secrets from their pasts, yet they try their best to suppress these secrets further. when something evil is obviously present right in front of them, the three of them chose to turn away and act as if nothing bad is happening. This is a nod to Filipinos who kept on turning a blind eye to the brutality and violence present in our society today. Despite all the deaths that is being reported to us in media, from television to newspaper, we chose to turn away. We kept on telling ourselves that everything's alright. That this is for our own country's betterment. Anton C. Santamaria's script infuses a lot of symbolism and ideas that directly mirrors the Philippine's current events. In the story, whatever we do to stop evil, it keeps on coming back and eventually wins. There is even a line from one of the characters stating that even if we destroy evil, we are already too late as they already have people hiding among us, slowly and secretly growing and bearing more fruits. This is exactly what's going on here in the country nowadays, particularly our government. The corrupt have already crawled their way into the system, growing more connections and infecting other governments officials with their dark ways and dirty tactics. One thing that I noticed though regarding the script is that there are times that the two narratives do not mixed that well. sometimes, the jumping back and forth from the first story line to the second breaks the flow of tension. Luckily, Erik Matti fixes all that.

Erik Matti gives life to this script with his trademark direction. The film is brutal and violent, just like his past films On The Job (2013) and Honor Thy Father. There's a lot of blood in the final act. A priest is burned alive from the inside out. A dead woman hanging from a tree gives birth to a dead fetus. We also get a lot of vomiting all throughout the film. There is a sense of dread and paranoia from start to finish. The opening sequence itself of the film is gorgeously choreographed and directed. It already sets the tone for the rest of the film. But what really makes this period piece stand out from the rest of the horror films that has plagued our cinemas for the past years is that it's real scares comes from the tension between each character. Yes, it does offer some effective jump scares and shocks. I remember jumping off my seat at least two to three times. But the real scares comes from the tension that you feel whenever you see one character staring at another with those devilish eyes. You can feel the dread when one character talks to another one and their secrets starts to be revealed. You can feel the uneasiness when you start doubting what is real and what is not, of who is evil and who is good. I can proudly say that this is one piece that we can compare favorably with other classics of the horror genre like The Omen (1976) and The Exorcist (1973).

The cast are made up of mostly lesser known actors compared to the past MMFF entries before (since star power was obviously the main driver of the previous versions of the festival). Yet these actors prove that a good movie isn't driven by popularity, but with pure talent. Ronnie Alonte who plays Miguel, an aspiring priest who is trying to forget the death of his previous lover. Honestly, he still needs a little more workshop. But being his first acting role in a film, he was able to successfully portray his character with gusto and energy. You can really see his passion in playing the role. He has promising talent, and he just needs the right people to guide him through. Dominic Roque has been in the industry for a couple of years now and I guess that's what made him a better actor. Compared to his past roles in other films, this one in this movie really allowed him to showcase his acting talent. Newcomers John Vic De Guzman and JR Versales plays Marco and Carlo respectively. These two actors may be new to the film industry, but you can really see great talent in them. Veteran actors Neil Ryan Sese and Lou Veloso adds up to the film's already powerful cast. Their inclusion to the film gives it a more old school appeal and a serious look. But the real breakout stars of the film are it's two actresses, Phoebe Walker and Rhed Bustamante. Phoebe Walker plays the silent and mysterious nun, Madre Cecilia, who always accompany the gifted young girl, Anghela Sta. Ana, played by Rhed Bustamante. Phoebe Walker dominates the first half of the film, with her long gaze and body movements that will make you feel uneasy every time. Her role doesn't offer much dialogue, yet she can clearly bring you chills just by her face, particularly those eyes. She can be seductive, yet creepy at the same time. That is until the second half of the film. Here, Rhed Bustamante dominates the screen with her Best Actress worthy performance. She is the scariest girl I have seen in a Filipino horror film since that creepy flower girl from Chito Rono's Sukob (2006). That's almost a decade worth of waiting. Rhed is like an adult stuck in a young girl's body. She talks and acts like she's as old as her fellow actors. She even throws lines that is so not appropriate for her age ("Puta siya. Puta ka."). Her acting skills are just beyond my comprehension. I just can't think of any other word to descrivbe her. She is a revelation. A gem of the film. If Eugene Domingo is the soul of the other MMFF entry Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2 : #ForeverIsNotEnough, Rhed Bustamante is the living force that embodies Seklusyon. For me, she should bag this year's Best Actress awards.

Seklusyon is a rare film that redefines the Filipino horror genre and takes it up one level higher. There might be times that the flow of tension is disrupted by it's sudden switch of narratives, but the film compensates that with smart, clever direction and praise-worthy acting. Overflowing with metaphors and symbolism, brimming with uneasiness and disturbing content, an eerie and atmospheric tone that is consistent all throughout, and paired with a very talented round of actors and actresses, Erik Matti masterfully cooks up one effective chiller that will surely scare the living daylights out of you. 

Rating: ✰✰✰✰1/2 out of 5

Seklusyon (2016)

Starring Ronnie Alonte, Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Neil Ryan Sese, Lou Veloso, and Dominic Roque

Written by Anton C. Santamaria, directed by Erik Matti

Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2 #ForeverIsNotEnough Review

Eugene Domingo awakens in this sequel to the 2011 indie hit.
(Screengrab from Youtube)

It's very rare to see a film so effective that it leaves you in awe long after it's closing credits. But with this year's Metro Manila film Festival, I have a good feeling that we've got plenty of that for everyone. After last year's film fest scandal which questioned the festival's true commitment and mission, a drastic change was made and we are now welcomed by a whole new Metro Manila Film Festival. The removal of box-office appeal as one of the festival's requirements and the focus on story and content really made a big difference, as seen in this year's list of MMFF entries. According to the committee, all these films are of high quality, films that we can be proud of even if we release them abroad. And I couldn't agree more. All of the entries in this year's festival are mostly independently produced films, but of high quality. Each film promises a truly unique and unforgettable movie experience.

And so, I decided to open my 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival with one of my most anticipated entries, the Eugene Domingo starrer, Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2 : Forever Is Not Enough.

This is a sequel to Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank, a 2011 Filipino comedy independent film directed by Marlon N. Rivera, written by Chris Martinez, and starring JM De Guzman, Kean Cipriano, Cai Cortez and Eugene Domingo. The first film was a satire that focused on the Philippine indie film industry and dishonesty of Filipino filmmakers participating in foreign film festivals. I remember watching the first film a few years back after it was shown in television for the first time. The film was one of the earliest indie films I've seen and I was so excited when I finally got the chance to watch it (even if it was just the televised version, which was probably shorter because of all the cuts). I really enjoyed watching it back then. I literally fell down my seat, laughing so hard. That was my fondest memory of the first film.

This sequel, on the other hand, satirizes the mainstream film industry. it also takes a stab on the Filipino romantic genre, with all the cliches and stereotypes that Pinoy romance films usually follow. I was so surprised when I first heard about the project. I never expected that the filmmakers behind the first film could actually come up with a sequel. But they did. Almost all the actors from the first film's cast are back. And I was so excited for it. I decided that this is the first film that I will watch from this year's MMFF. The only thing that I worried about is 1) can they exceed my expectations set by the first film and 2) will the film still be the same without JM de Guzman? Luckily, they did more than that. Thank God they did.

To start off, I watched the film on December 25, Sunday. It was the film's first day in cinemas. I also just got off from work that day (I work the night shift). Plus it was also Christmas day. It was also traffic (which was to be expected on that day). So imagine my exhaustion when I was on my way to the cinema. I was worried that I would end up dozing off halfway of the film. But then, the film did exactly the opposite.

To be honest, there isn't much of a story to tell. I really can't provide a short summary of the film since the entirety of the film is more of a long conversation between the characters, which extends to a little bit more than a day. Unlike most comedies released during the past MMFF, it doesn't have any over-the-top storyline that the usual Vice Ganda or Vic Sotto fanfare follow. Instead, it focuses on Rainier (Kean Cipriano), a director who previously worked with Domingo in his independent film as he and Jocelyn (played by Cai Cortez), his production manager together with their newbie production assistant, Lennon (ina silent but hilarious role by Khalil Ramos) as they try to convince Eugene Domingo (who plays an exaggerated version of herself) to star in their new project. This new film entitled "The Itinerary", written by Rainier himself, is about his personal struggle in his marriage. He has a vision already of how the film would look like, yet as Eugene Domingo comes on board with the project, she requests a lot of drastic changes to the final product, causing a rift between her and the director. The whole entirety of the film is all about Rainier's struggles as he tries to keep his original material intact in the final product, for he wants this film to be more personal. In addition to this, we get a glimpse on how the film is supposed to look like and how it turns out after the changes that Eugene's character wants to apply.

Yet, what makes this film so amazing is that the audience are easily pulled into the film because of these characters. They are too easy to like because they're not the usual kind of characters we see in the common Pinoy comedy. Chris Martinez' script is full of memorable dialogue. The script is one of his best and is reminiscent of his best works like Here Comes The Bride (2010) and Temptation Island (2011).  The exchange of conversation between these characters (with the exception of Lennon, I'll tell you why later) is full of wit and cleverness. They talk about film making; the way the wants of the Filipino audience shapes a film's final product; how Filipinos love cliches and stereotypes; the conventions of the Pinoy romantic genre and the fight between indie and mainstream cinema. They even came up with their so-called 3 levels of hugot which is a categorization of the usual Pinoy dramatic acting. It just feel so meta. All these self-referential humor makes this film so unusual. So memorable. It makes the film stand out from the rest of the film festival's entries. Marlon Rivera's direction brings this script to life with the energy and craziness he had with the first movie. His masterful orchestration of the whole film makes the film's flow and pacing so perfect that the audience don't even realize that we are just watching a group of people talking and coming up with all sorts of ideas and agreements. The pacing wasn't so slow nor way too fast. It was so consistent that we don't even notice that the whole film's event only happened in a matter of a day or two. The whole structure of the film was so clean and coherent. It was just outstanding. I don't think any other director can actually make this film the way director Rivera made it.

But the biggest gem of the film is probably the cast. Eugene Domingo, whom I last saw in the Jun Robles Lana drama film Barber's Tales, is definitely back on the game after her long hiatus. This serves as her comeback vehicle, and it definitely proves her worth to our country's cinema. I am still trying to find a perfect word to describe her performance in this film, but all I could think of is monstrous. Yes, indeed. She is like a monster devouring the audience with her quips and on time punchlines. I recall laughing so hard that I had to calm myself down while watching the movie. Two of my favorites scenes were 1) the sequence where she was explaining and re-enacting the 3 levels of hugot known to man; and 2) the final chase scene. She is no doubt, the soul of this movie. Kean Cipriano who plays Rainier, on the other hand, represents every film maker out there. Me myself is an aspiring director so I could really relate to him. I can see myself in his shoes. Here, Kean Cipriano proves that he definitely has the acting skills that most of his previous films didn't really highlighted. His best scene was probably the his last two sequences, the one where he finally had enough of Eugene Domingo's drastic changes to his proposed film and his last scene where he comes home to an empty house, realizing that it's too late to save his marriage. Cai Cortez was so funny as the group's production manager Jocelyn, trying her best balance keep the balance in making Eugene Domingo's requests and Direk Rainier's original plans. I can still vividly remember that scene where she tries to calm Rainier down ("Can you just relax? We're in a fucking spa!") It was downright hilarious. Khalil Ramos plays the crew's silent production assistant, and yes, he doesn't have any dialogues in the film. Yet, despite the lack of lines, his role is probably one of the most difficult to portray as he is required to express all his emotions through his face. Yet he triumphantly overcomes this challenge with his undeniable acting skills (as seen in his previous indie, Cinema One Originals Best Picture, 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten). His scenes, or should I say his facial expressions, provide laughs without any dialogue. Such example was the scene where he was asked by Eugene, Rainier and Jocelyn to take a picture of them and the part where they were forced to go through colon hydrotherapy. Joel Torre, Jericho Rosales and Agot Isidro completes the already talented cast as the proposed actors for their film project.

Certainly, this sequel does not disappoint. It actually exceeds all expectations set by the first film. I can strongly recommend this film to anyone who has been watching Filipino films for a long time. This film is one brave satire on our mainstream cinema, particularly to the big movie companies that dominate our theaters all throughout the year with their cliched and formulaic romcoms. It will definitely make you laugh out loud with every hilarious stab on the way we look at the Pinoy romance genre. So far, this is my top pick from this year's list of entries. It's inclusion to this year's list of movies for the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival is one of the best and craziest thing that has ever happened to this annual celebration. And I couldn't be more thankful.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰ out of 5

Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2 : #ForeverIsNotEnough (2016)

Starring Eugene Domingo, Kean Cipriano, Cai Cortez, Khalil Ramos with Joel Torre and Jericho Rosales

Directed by Marlon Rivera, Written by Chris Martinez