That Little Guy

Quite a late post, but better late than never. :)

Another year and it’s another time for Cinemalaya. I have to admit I almost decided not to go just because the line up I watched last year was just great (Ligo, Sayaw, Septic Tank, and Zombadings). Though yes that line-up is still better, I was still able to catch some good films. 

Shorts A and B 

Watching ten short films will always be a mixed bag and it was predictably the case with these two groups of shorts. There’s still too much rural and poverty porn here, nonetheless, there were two I liked  (Balintuna, Pasahero) and two I liked very much (Ang Paghihintay sa Bulong was just hilarious and Ruweda was a great narrative exercise) 

Ang Nawawala 

Charming and features some great music, I almost avoided this film because I thought it was too well, hipster haha. Anyway, I was glad to be able to catch it. It’s not your token great great film, but it’s that type that will just take your mind off things while watching it. 

Aparisyon

This is the slow burn movie done right. I loved the polar opposites of the nuns and the presence of sin at work. Great performances from the cast as well. It’s best from the bunch I watched this year.

Kalayaan

I have to admit there is a right time to watch this movie and well after lunch after a full meal is just not the right time haha. This is not for the impatient and tired (cause well you might fall asleep), but overall it’s still a compelling tale of a man’s slow (and I mean slow and quiet) breakdown to madness. Great cinematography as well. 

I was also able to catch some movies from last year 

Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay (2011 Cinema One Originals)

I have heard great things about this last year and I’m happy to have caught it finally. It’s a hilarious and engaging story that mixes truth and fiction seamlessly about the most famous extra in Philippine horror- Lilia. 

Amok (2011 Cinemalaya)

First off, mounting this movie in the busy Taft area is just an admirable logistics feat. It first introduces you to the different personalities before coming in with the finale that connects everything. A must see. 

Till next year!