UPDATED on 8/10
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We were very impressed with last year's shorts, so we said will watch them first this year.
REVIEW SHORTS A
Asan si Lolo Mê?
of symbolism and syllogisms
Highlights:
- very insightful
- crisp editing, very tight screenplay. It was light but deep at the same time. Each viewer may take home something different from the film.
- a film commentary on familial relationships that is neither preachy nor sugarcoating
- this is crazy that actually works and made sense
Lowlights:
- acting. While Sheenly Gener was a joy to watch, Rob Sy was cartoonish. I know this was a comedy, but there is a fine distinction between comic timing and silly acting that becomes closer to farce than anything else.
- inconsistent camera work. Sometimes the cinematography was brilliant, at times it was shaky
The script and the idea behind the film is very creative. And the highs outnumber the lows overwhelmingly.
Rating: 9/10
Padulong sa Pinuy-anan
runner-up in the 2014 Sinulog Short Film Festival
Highlights:
- 90% of the movie was actually good
- good editing. the scenes happen at a fast pace, without compromising the integrity of the story.
- some shots were beautifully done especially the long shots
- some lines are good such as when the visitor asked his host why she and her son are helping him - "it's in our culture". Makes you ponder on what really is in our culture. Because not a few minutes ago, the same person was duped of most of his belongings. Maybe that's also in our culture too.
Lowlights:
- 45 seconds too long. Why the need to always have a happy cheesy finish
- Towards the end, the premise of the film including editing collapsed. Suddenly, everything became dramatically predictable. And for a 19minute film, that is a curse.
Rating: 4/10
The Ordinary Things We Do
what others perceive as weird, different, abnormal may very well be just one of the ordinary things we do
Highlights:
- unapologetically creative. Each viewer might have a different take on what they have just witnessed.
- nothing I have seen before. A unique way of portraying differences and similarities by way of gender expectations
- thouroughly exciting. Suddenly you start to feel like a voyeur yearning to know what happens next.
- brilliantly crazy. As you await every move, you think of the hundreds of permutations of interpretations there could be. Is the cross a symbol of the rejection of religion who is mostly again same-sex marriages? Will the heterosexual couple do anything else, and is that the representation on what ordinary is? Is the removal of the altar a representation of what being stripped of everything looks like?
- you crave to find meaning on the little actions and even on the non-action in the film. I think this is the power of this film. 3 of you discuss, and none of you agree. For a 12 minute movie that says nothing, you find you and friends discussing the movie for hours. Indeed a powerful film.
Lowlights:
- minor asymmetrical movements. In this film, there is a need to be precise given the layout of the 3 screens. When the actions are out of synch from each other, the film might lose its meaning.
Rating: 9/10
Tiya Bening
weathering Alzheimer's
Highlights:
- excellent sound and visuals during the intro. It set a very good tone for something suspenseful happening
- the first scene was riveting, as if zombies or other supernatural beings would come from anywhere to attack
Lowlights:
- but there were no zombies and there were no supernatural beings. So the riveting intro was completely disconnected with the whole film
- all of a sudden, sound faltered, as listening to the phone conversation of the caregiver and the daughter were almost incomprehensible
- unfortunately the rest of the film start to falter after the intro. I primarily attribute it to the acting. Lackluster and lifeless reading of characters. Or well, maybe the script. Because it left underdeveloped characters you stop caring about. And this film tackles Alzheimer, what a shame!
- wasted opportunity to connect especially given a topic as personal and as relatable as this
- In summary, the film managed to make you not care about a senior citizen suffering from Alzheimer's whose daughter is an OFW abroad. Yes, that bad.
Rating: 2/10
Mga Ligaw na Paruparo
last year's Cinemalaya's Best Short Film director is back
Highlights:
- Maria Isabel Lopez in a short film. She dominated the 2 scenes she was in. She was fantastic in an unusual role for her
- script and actor's line are mostly good, and most of the times delivered well.
- editing is not bad. Not spectacular, but not bad either
Lowlights:
- Predictable. and that is probably the worst adjective for a short film. I have read this joke in my email back in the 90s, so I was terribly disappointed that it was the "twist"
- The film had big potential, but never really became solid because several conflicts were vaguely resolved and done haphazardly
Rating: 4/10
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