Cinemalaya 13 : "Nabubulok" (2017) movie review

Last August 14, 2016, the ten finalists for Cinemalaya 2017 were announced at the Cinemalaya 2016 Awards night held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. One of the entries that caught my attention right away was Nabubulok by Sonny Calvento. In the story, Luna is missing. Jason Harper, her American husband, is alleged of killing her. As Jason intends to leave the country, circumstances conspire to avert his plan. After reading the synopsis, I immediately got curious about the film and has since been looking forward for it.

Now, this is actually my first time watching a Cinemalaya entry during the festival run itself. Last year, I was able to watch Jason Paul Laxamana's "Mercury is Mine" when the film got extended screenings after the festival due to popular demands. Then, I was able to catch Eduardo Roy Jr.'s "Pamilya Ordinaryo" earlier this year during a screening in UP Cine Adarna. So technically, this is the first time I was able to experience the Cinemalaya festival. And I couldn't be more happy because Nabubulok will be the first ever Cinemalaya movie I will be reviwing during the festival itself.

Sonny Calvento's Nabubulok (2017) centers in a sleepy town in an island in Panay, where a Filipina went missing. But the neighbors didn't need to look far for a suspect. They believed that her American husband killed her. But there was no body. No evidence. No proof. Only speculations. It happened in 2002. It happened in real life. The movie opens with the disappearance of Luna (Sue Prado). When their family's laundress and Luna's cousin Ingrid starts asking the husband, Jason Harper (Billy Ray Gallion) and their son, Paul (Jameson Blake), both are mum and aloof. As if they are hiding something inside their house, which they always kept closed from the curious eyes of outsiders with it's big metal gate. Everyone starts to smell something terrible coming from inside their lot. Soon, she starts becoming suspicious of Jason's actions and becomes convinced that he is responsible for the disappearance of her cousin, fearing that Jason has killed his wife Luna. Soon, the story spreads like wildfire among the neighborhood and the search for Luna begins.

A crime drama based on a true story, Sonny Calvento's Nabubulok feels like a throwback to the 90's heydays when crime movies were a popular genre in the country. But instead of just telling a straight-forward re-telling of the crime itself, he decided to tell a story where we see different versions of the truth and how it changes our own perspective on what's real and what's not. To quote the legendary Robert Evans, "there are three sides to every story; your side, my side, the truth." The story shifts focus from one character to another, telling their own versions of the truth. This is all the information we get from the characters, and the audience is left to build the truth with these pieces of information through our own imagination. This allows for a much more interactive experience as the audience themselves become investigators on their own, trying to deduce the truth behind the disappearance of Luna. The movie plays like a murder mystery where the audience are given clues that at first, feels like it will lead you to something. But then, eventually we discover that most of these are just red herrings, aiming to misguide you and lead you to the wrong direction. Then, there's the satirical take on the governments attitude towards the Americans. But we won't be focusing on that anymore.

Back to the film, it's gritty, disturbing atmosphere is felt from it's first until it's final frame. The movie opens with sounds of something cracking (like bones being broken to pieces) which sets the unsettling mood of the film. The cinematography also adds up to the overall atmosphere of the film. The shaky handheld shots gives the scenes a realistic approach which is reminiscent of Brillante Mendoza's "Ma' Rosa" (2016). With it's darkly lit scenes, even the daylight moments, you'll immediately feel the gloomy and depressing tone of the film. Also, I can't help but notice the color coding of the three acts of the film which reminds me of Chito Rono's "The Healing" (2012). In the first act, as suspicions starts to rise amongs the people around the Harper family, we see the color red in almost every scene, from paint to a design on one character's shirt. I thought it was just a coincidence at first. But then the second act began and the color blue starts to appear everywhere, from the background to the filters of the shots. It's as if it's representing the agitation felt by almost all the characters as we starts to learn more of Luna's secrets. Then, the color yellow splashes all over the final act signifying desperation and hopelessness of the characters. It was actually intriguing and interesting as it adds uniqueness to the way the story escalates from one act to another.

The film's ensemble of actors and actresses also added to the film's strength. Most of the characters here are flawed, just like normal people, and the casts were able properly translate that into the film. Ms. Gina Alajar was really fun to watch as her character Ingrid is driven to the edge with her suspicions and fears about what happened to her cousin. It's a delight to see the very talented JC Santos again on screen after his stint in "Sakaling Hindi Makarating" (2016). Lito Pimentel and Sue Prado were also great additions to the powerhouse cast. But the one that really got my attention was Billy Ray Gallion and Jameson Blake. Billy Ray Gallion's portrayal of Luna's husband Jason Harper was perfect. He is menacing in every scene, adding more reason to suspect him as the film goes along. But then the second act, we see his character's softer side as a father trying to protect his children and we starts to doubt our own suspicions. Jameson Blake has wowed everyone in his first indie stint with last year's 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten. Here in this movie, though we don't see him in a lot, he still amazes me whenever he is present in the scene. His character don't talk that much, and he is left the challenge of projecting his thoughts and feelings through his eyes and it is very effective. There's something unsettling with the way his eyes projects. It's as if his stares are piercing through you. There's sadness in him, but you'll also  feel the fear and desperation slowly eating him up.



The film ends with a title card stating what happened to the Harper family after the events depicted in the movie. But despite that, the audience are still left wondering: did they actually solved the mystery behind the disappearance of Luna? There's doubt lingering in me long after the credits roll. And until now, I am still curious what really happened to her. This is what makes Sonny Calvento's Nabubulok memorable. Part crime drama/ part satire on the country's status towards the US today, the film is a finely tuned, slow burn true crime story with an effective mystery that sticks with you long after the movie ends. It leaves a bittersweet aftertaste in you, a realization that just like the characters in the story, there is darkness present in everyone of us.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰ of 5
Nabubulok (2017)
Directed by Sonny Calvento, starring Gina Alajar, JC Santos, Jameson Blake and Billy Ray Gallion.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Filipino Films of 2017

This has been a great year for Filipino films. We witnessed some indie films rocked it's way into our cinemas, from the chilling tale of Ilawod to the heartbreaking hugot film I'm Drunk, I Love You. We also saw the theatrical release of some of 2016's best indie movies, from Sakaling hindi Makarating, Baka Bukas and one of the year's most talked-about movie 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten. But the year is still long and young and we are yet to see some good Filipino films to hit the country's screens. So here is my list of my top 10 most Anticipated Filipino films of 2017.

Special Mentions: Riding in Tandem (Jason abalos, Khalil Ramos), Can't Help Falling In Love (Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla) because KathNiel is KathNiel, duh?, Dear Future Husband (Sarah Geronimo, John Lloyd Cruz) I kinda miss their team-up, Ang Larawan, a movie adaptation of the classic Filipino musical, and hopefully, Erik Matti's new adaptation of Darna (TBA).

Luck At First Sight.

Director Dan Villegas (English Only Please, Walang Forever and How To Be Yours) is back in the romance genre with this romantic comedy film starring Jericho Rosales and Bela Padilla as two luckless people: one with love, the other with money. But when the they met each other, they discover that they're one another's life charm - they bring the other good luck. Soon, they become close to each other, slowly falling in love. But what happens when the luck runs out?
Produced by Viva films, the film hits theaters this summer 2017.

Kasunduan.

A thriller-drama directed by Lawrence Fajardo, it stars Ejay Falcon, Joey Marquez, Joem Bascon, Beauty Gonzales with Sarah Carlos and Khalil Ramos. The film is currently in post-production. Although there isn't enough details about the film, I'm pretty excited to see it for one reason: the Khalil Ramos.

Ghost Bride.

Horror master Chito S. Rono is back this year with Ghost Bride, an upcoming Filipino horror film starring Kim Chiu, Matteo Guidicelli and JC Santos. Helmed by Roño and produced by Star Cinema, it marks Kim's third movie with director Roño. It revolves around the Chinese tradition Ghost marriage wherein one or both parties are deceased. The film also features a powerful cast, led by Jerome Ponce, Rio Locsin, Ina Raymundo, Mon Confiado, and Alice Dixson.

Kita Kita.

Who would have thought that one day, Empoy can give you the kilig feels? Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, director of award-winning films “Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita” and “Lorna” brings us this unexpected romantic comedy starring Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy as Lea and Tonyo, two Filipinos living in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Lea is a Velo taxi tour guide. She suffers an accident which leads to her being affected by temporary blindness. Her blindness, if not cured in a few weeks, could become permanent. Tonyo is also a Filipino who lives right across from Lea. Lea tries her best to ignore him at first because she is scared of not seeing him. But Tonyo is persistent and is determined to be her friend, using humor and kindness to make a connection. With every effort that he makes the two gradually become closer. In an ironic way, becoming blind allows Lea to see the true character of Tonyo.
The film is produced by Piolo Pascual, Director Joyce Bernal, Erickson Raymundo and Suzanne Shayne Sarte.

Bloody Crayons.

Finally. This long-overdue horror slasher based on the book of the same name by Wattpad writer Josh Argonza was announced last April 2015 originally headlined by Jane Oineza, Joshua Garcia and Manolo Pedrosa. The film went under multiple revisions, the original director (Quark Henares) leaving the project, and Star Cinema replacing some cast members (who have already finished shooting some scenes). It was even rumored to be part of the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival.
It follows a group of graduating students who visits an island as a location for their short film project. Unknown to them, death has followed them to the island, as they start to get picked off one by one. Featuring Jane Oineza in her first starring role, it also stars Janella Salvador, Elmo Magalona, Sofia Andres, Diego Loyzaga, Ronnie Alonte, Maris Racal, Yves Flores and Empoy Marquez, directed by Topel Lee and is scheduled to be released this 2017.

Instalado.

A Scifi Filipino film? Impossible? Well, for director Jason Paul Laxamana, everything's possible. From his acclaimed films like Babagwa, Magkakabaung, the outragious dark comedy Mercury Is Mine and my favorite of them all, the sweet, humorous, and heartbreaking coming-of-age 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten, he have wowed audiences with his unique, weird, out-of-this-world stories. This time, he is taking the challenge of entering the scifi genre with Instalado, an official entry to the 2017 ToFarm Film Festival. Set in a farming village a few years into the future, it follows Victor (played by McCoy de Leon in his first starring role) who lives in a time when the dominant form of education is through installation, an overnight process that allows bodies of knowledge to be installed directly on people’s brains using technology owned by corporations. Unfortunately, Victor, like many others in the agricultural town of Porac, cannot afford the sky-high cost of installation, which he believes is the key to pull his family out of poverty. To raise money for installation, Victor temporarily abandons farming and works as the household helper of a wealthy childhood friend who has become extremely successful after undergoing a series of installations. Also starring Francis Magundayao and Jun-Jun Quintana.

Nabubulok (The Decay)

Of all the Cinemalaya entries this year, this one definitely got me excited. Not only because of it's intriguing story but also because of it's cast. It features 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten's Ana Capri and Jameson Blake among it's leads. Jameson is one of my favorite actors right now after his incredible stint in 2 Cool, earning him the Best Supporting Actor award in last year's Cinema One Originals film festival. Nabubulok (The Decay) follows a missing person's case: Luna is missing. Jason Harper, her American husband, is alleged of killing her. As Jason intends to leave the country, circumstances conspire to avert his plan. Also starring Ms. Gina Alajar, JC Santos and Billy Ray Gallion, directed by Sonny Calvento and an official entry to the Cinemalaya 2017.

Actor Bill Ray Gallion with Jameson Blake.

Bliss.

Imagine director Jerrold Tarog, Iza Calzado and Ian Veneracion in one bloody, mind-boggling, fucked up thriller. Yes, dreams do come true as the Heneral Luna director unleashes the beast in his latest film, Bliss. The film follows the story of Jane Ciego, who started acting at a young age. She becomes a film producer but gets into an accident – and later, Jane begins to hear mysterious sounds and struggles with people who may want to harm her. The film is already making some noise outside the country as Iza Calzado won the Yakushi Pearl Award (Best Performer) for her role in Bliss, at the Osaka Film Festival 2017 on Saturday, March 11. Directed by Jerrold Tarog, it stars Ian Veneracion, TJ Trinidad, Adrienne Vergara, and Michael de Mesa and is soon to hit cinemas later this year.

Citizen Jake.

The highly anticipated comeback movie of director Mike De Leon, the genius behind classic Filipino films like Itim, Batch '81, Sister Stella L and Kisapmata is undeniably one film to watch out for. Aside from the fact that this is his first film after 18 years, another reason to be excited for this project is his choice of lead actor. Director Mike De Leon found his Citizen Jake in real life news reporter Atom Araullo, who will be playing a fictional journalist in this political crime story.

Smaller and Smaller Circles.

Adapted from the mystery novel by Filipino novelist F. H. Batacan (touted as the first Filipino crime novel), it stars veteran actor Nonie Buencamino as Fr. Augusto Saenz, the Jesuit forensic anthropologist; Sid Lucero as his right-hand man, Fr. Jerome Lucero; and Carla Humphries as reporter Joanna Bonifacio. The film follows the investivation of the deaths of six boys, all of whom were found in Quezon City's Payatas dump site, where children often pick through garbage to provide for their families. The victims' faces, hearts, and genitals were removed, and Saenz, along with his friend and protégé, Fr. Jerome Lucero, a clinical psychologist, are sure the killer has a very specific agenda. As the priests work to identify the boys and their killer, they must wade through the political muck surrounding a case that no one wants publicized, in a country where centralized crime statistics are unheard of and resources are scarce.  Produced by Tuko Film Productions and Buchi Boy Entertainment, it is directed by Raya Martin and is soon to hit cinemas later this year.

So how about you? What's your most anticipated Filipino film this 2017? Share us your thoughts and leave a comment down below!