Christmas Nostalgia

       Christmas, Christmas time is near. Time for toys and time for cheer.We've been good, but we can't last. Hurry Christmas, hurry fast . -Alvin and the Chipmunks

        I wish I could sing this now but I don't think it'll still be appropriate for my age. Although it suites well with the way i think. hahahahah!         

        Every Christmas Eve, our family and relatives gather and celebrate Christmas as one at our Grandparents house. But this Christmas was different. Our house is currently under construction so we couldn't leave it behind and had to spend it at home instead. My mother had no time to by groceries so we prepared food enough for ourselves.

             At around 7:30pm that day, I, together with my mother and brother, decided to go to church. I wasn't really interested to go but then again, WHY NOT? It's way better than staying at home and just surfing the internet for random stuff. And so we came seeing the chapel almost full. We immediately scouted for vacant seats which ended up with me sitting at the end and them at the front. The priest was running late so I grew very uncomfortable. (Forgive me for my impatience and lack of good spirituality) 

              As soon as the priest arrived, the entrance hymn was sung by the church choir. A familiar song I once sang before. "O come all ye faithful" was the song. I closed my eyes and saw myself back when i was around 9-11 years old. I sang this song at our school. Oh the memories. And so, a pump of energy ran in my veins. 

               Catholics should know about this: songs sang during the mass like, Glory to God in the Highest, and or Ama Namin (Our Father).. Well, when i was in elementary, i used to be part of the school choir and we usually sang songs during the mass. It was only till then for i transferred to a non-catholic school in high school. Anyway, i don't usually sing during the mass, especially nowadays where new songs are sang. But that day was different. They sang songs that was familiar to me. The songs I used to sing when I was a child. AHHHH the memories just keeps on building up. 

             As the mass ended the song sang by the choir was "Angels We Have Heard on High". And yes, it brought back memories along with it. I remember my last year in high school where our choir group sang this in a choir competition at Gaisano Mall Davao. How i missed those days of just being with your friends and singing such songs.

             As soon as we got home, we ate dinner, cleaned up and they all went to bed. As for me, i still waited for the clock to strike at 12am and to greet the world a MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS. I even hugged myself for who else would when they're asleep. This may not be the best Christmas but then again, i should be thankful for having a home and a family. I am also thankful for that day brought back memories I have left behind. 

           The best part is when i start to ask myself where such voice is now? I used to be a soprano but now I could barely sing in a right tone. OH WELL. At least I know for a fact that I used to be a child who knew how to sing and even had that dream of singing in front of a huge crowd.. I am not that old so.. maybe i will.. someday.

A Movie within a Movie

            Cinema Paradiso was not an ordinary type of film simply telling of a moral or having a happy ending. It was like watching a movie within a movie. But one thing that I love about this movie is the way it made you ask yourself; who or what you prioritize in your life.

            The film was about a young boy, Toto, who lived his childhood learning how to run the projector powered movie house, the cinema paradise, which was run by that during the 1940’s. He’d spent all his free time going there, befriending the projectorist, and stole the spliced out films which the priest thought of as obscene. But a day almost ruined everything as the film Toto stole caught fire and almost burned their house. His war-widowed mother beat him up and threatened him not to go to the cinemas. Alfredo obeyed the mother’s command but with Toto’s wit and charms, he was allowed to come in again. Unfortunately, Toto misbehaved which made Alfredo’s decision firm in keeping Toto out of the cinema paradiso. During an examination of which both Alfredo and Toto took, an assurance of friendship was built as Toto allowed Alfredo to copy his answers. Alfredo thought Toto everything he knows until such time a tragedy happened. While Alfredo showed the people a movie, the film caught fire and burned the cinema leaving him blind. Someone bought it and built a bigger and better cinema and the projectorist was Toto, allowed even at a very young age and still being guided by Alfredo. As he turned 16, young and bold, he fell in love. Alfredo thought that it would ruin Toto’s future so he did things and lied to him just to keep them away from each other. Toto still tried to look for her despite the years until he found out she was married to someone else, his friend. Although Toto and his lover, Elena, never got together as planned, he still became a famous movie maker.

            The film was character driven focused on Salvatore 'Totò' Di Vita played first, as a child, by Salvatore Cascio. He was very effective not just because of his acting but also because of his physique. He was right for his character of cleverness and adorableness. The teenaged Toto, played by Marco Leonardi, was effective as well. His looks melted the women’s hearts away and had made the men jealous. The all grown Toto, played by Jacques Perrin, was effective as well but there were times when his emotion went blank and unfelt. Philippe Noiret, as Alfredo, did great in his role as an adviser, a friend, and a father. He talked and acted the way anyone would picture a projectorist. The other characters, like Agnese Nano who played Elena, did great as the pretty blue eyed girl who made shifts in the film. The setting, including the language, was very effective. It has given the people a peep on how Italy looked like and how the Italians admired films which is, of course, effective for the suspension of disbelief. Sex was not much shown which I did expect it to be, for during those times, kissing was already found obscene. Music, on the other hand, was properly used; relieving some dull moments. The theme of the film was basically about love and loyalty to a friend, family, lover, and dreams. Toto kept his love and had remained loyal to his lover despite the years that had passed by. He remained to love his profession despite the things he had been missing. He had remained loyal and loving to a friend who had devoted his life to give him a brighter future. But the film was not just about that, it had also brought up a rhetorical question: Would you choose your lover over your dream, or vice versa?

            There were a lot of symbolisms but some were quite hard to depict. One would be the anchors scattered on the shore where Toto goes whenever he was depressed. It symbolized Toto’s attachment to their place and the memories that he kept holding on to which kept pulling him down. The Cinema was at the heart of the town, it was more prioritized by the people. It symbolizes the old town, the old ways of the people before the dawn of modernism and technology. The film done by Alfredo symbolized his great love for Toto. It also symbolizes the connection that they had. The projector that went through the lion’s mouth symbolizes the job of a projectorist. It may be small but it gives a huge help for the viewers but by doing so, he must pass through certain hardships like being alone and being like a slave. Lastly, the fire that blinded Alfredo symbolized the change, not just for Alfredo, but also for Toto and the town as well.

Unlocking doors for new opportunities

There are families where parents decide for their children’s future. They act as an oracle giving prophesies for their children. Luckily today, such manners are minimally done. Parents today allow their children to follow and do what they want as long as it is legal, appropriate, and could assure a bright future.

The film Billy Eliot by Stephen Daldry was character oriented. It had focused on a young boy, Billy Elliot, who lost his mother at a young age and was trained by his father to be a boxer. It was clearly seen that Billy was incapable of playing well which led him to stay longer for practice and to wait until their neighboring class, ballet, would finish. As he peeped, he was enticed until he joined the class. The teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson, saw Billy’s potential as a dancer and encouraged him to continue and to audition in Royale Ballet School. Ballet, during that time, was seen as something to be done by females and his father would be totally against it. To avoid his father’s reprimands, he practiced in secret. No secrets would be kept hidden; being caught was bound to happen. He did stop after being caught and yet still, his passion for dancing overflows. His father then decides to allow his son to audition which is why he chose to earn money by abandoning the strike and took sides with the government. His older son saw him and pulled him away and thought of a new way to earn. Each of them, including their friends, saved and chipped in. He auditioned, was accepted, and soon showed Billy, all grown up, dancing the black swan.

The film was set at County Durham, during the 1984 strike against the Thatcher closure of British coal mines. Billy’s father, Jackie Elliot, and his brother, Tony Elliot, were one of the workers who strived hard to fight against the injustice of closing the only affiliation they have. I actually find it hard as to why the director chose to set such story during that time but somehow, it actually helped and added more drama. The characters themselves were very effective. Jamie Bell, as Billy, did great in drawing people’s attention and emotion. With his smile and frown, he’d immediately make the viewers feel the same way. Jamie Draven, as the brother, and Gary Lewis, as the father, did great as stirring anger and affection to the viewers; their act of judging Billy, their fight for justice, and their hidden love for their family. Julie Walters, as Mrs. Wilkinson, effectively portrayed a depressed yet very compassionate woman. Jean Heywood, as the grandmother, must be given credit as she gave the viewers something to giggle at regardless of the scenes being shown. The music used was appropriately done which also helped in connecting the emotions with the viewers.

            The film then was basically about letting go and moving on; opening doors for new opportunities. The father no longer forces his son to pursue boxing and allowing him to do what he truly wants which is to dance. The boy’s longing for his mother which in the end he finally moved on. The government’s decision in opening the coal mines also symbolizes the theme. There are minimal symbolisms in the film for it was direct to the point which must’ve been the director’s style. The grandmother repeatedly saying that she should’ve been a famous dancer symbolizes the effects of closed doors; being unable to pursue her dreams. Another is the scene when Billy sat down, after dancing his anger away, with a sudden change of weather signified the time that had passed by and the change of his father’s heart. It was after that scene when his father saw his passion for dancing and allowed him to audition.

I highly recommend everyone to watch this film to see facts about life and to learn from it.

Metamorphosis

Who knew that passion could draw people together? Who knew that passion could create different kinds of relationships? In the film by Bernando Bertolucci, The Dreamers, a young man’s passion for movies was the reason how he met his friends.

Matthew, an American studying in France, spent more of his time watching films which one day lead him to meeting the twins Isabelle and Theo. He directly fell in love with the twins who were also his first friends. As they spent more time together, the greater their friendship grew. When the twins’ parents were away, he stayed at their place which he learned about the twins. He found out that they slept together in one bed, naked. He also found out that they’d bathe together. They twins were too comfortable with themselves as if they were one. He them discovered a game wherein one would suddenly act a certain scene in a movie and wait until someone guesses it or forfeits. A forfeit would then result to doing what the actor asks him/her to do. The game lead to love making; which then lead to the end of their friendship.

The film is character-driven by the three leads. Micheal Pitt as Matthew, Eva Green as Isabelle, and Louis Garrel made a huge impact on the film. Their emotions were felt by the viewers as if they were there. The film’s theme was about setting oneself free. Free from the boundaries built by the norms. Free from people’s judgments. The film was set in France where art is greatly embraced which is also the best place for the film.  The use of sex in the film was truly appropriate as it showed how teenagers would do if they were alone in a house parents free; generally speaking. Music used was also appropriate and it helped easing tensed moments.

Bertolucci’s style is something worthy to be appreciated. It never gave its viewer dull moments as he kept on surprising the viewers by the sudden change of attitudes shown by the characters. If at first we saw a friendly Theo, few minutes later we’d see an irritable one.

The symbolisms of the film weren’t easy to see at first watch as you’d be more focused on trying to see what’ll happen next. But some of which are the following: The lighter which Matthew fidgeted on symbolized that anything, or everything, has a purpose; it fits everywhere if we just looked at it closely or widely as if having cosmic harmony. The seats they used as they watched movies in the cinema showed their passion for the film, wanting it to first pass through them before the others. The time Matthew sat at the back with Isabelle, showed that they were no longer after the film but was after lust, emotions and love. The fact that the three simply locked themselves in a world they’ve made, liberated, which was ironic during their time which was conservative symbolizes the process towards setting themselves free. This could be related with the tent Isabelle built in their house which symbolizes a cocoon. All were the same as they slept but the next day, things have changed. The people no longer settled being mere followers; they saw the people fighting for their rights. They too were also changed. If at first they were against violence and were for love making, it changed when the twins decided to go with it which also leads to their death.

I highly recommend this film for everyone to watch to see a whole new reality which they continuously try to hide. Such things happen and are worth given appreciation and acceptance.  

Intertwined Suffering

            Living in a city, as many would perceive it, is like living in luxury. They assume that they’d live on a big house, study at a big university, and buy clothing at huge malls. Little did they know that such could only be done by some people, most actually suffer trying to survive in the city. The movie ASTIG by Giuseppe Bede San Pedro is a film showing stories of four people who lived in a city filled with horror.

            The first character was Arnold Reyes a role done by Dennis Trillo. His real affiliation was in a black market selling fake diplomas, term papers, and the like. With a tough life, he yearned to make more money. With his good looks and charms, he’d take on any woman; he puts on the charms, acts to be loyal, get money through lies, and then leave them. The day after he helped an aspiring seaman by selling him a fake diploma, he saw a young girl named Elgine, played by Glaiza de Castro. He again used his charms on her which actually worked. This then led to the guy lying about his phone being stolen and the girl lending him some money, which she was to use for her tuition fee. They had a night together which later showed signs that both have aids. Out of pity, he decided to leave the girl, but later on, the Arnold actually had showed signs that he was starting to fall for her.

            The next character shown was called Boy which was played by Edgar Allan Guzman. He is a young boy who had indulged himself to teenage pregnancy. As his wife is about to give birth, he looked for ways to earn money. He actually had a coin bank to save for his wife but then he had to break it to set his shoplifting mother free from prison. His wife, Meng, was not allowed to leave the hospital for they have not paid yet. He tried to sell his products but none would buy from him. He also tried to ask or borrow money but only one gave him but it still wasn’t enough. Out of desperation, he decided to accept the offer of an old homosexual who most call as the Old Hag. He did what he was asked to do: to give a blowjob. He received the money and had seen his child and took them home in tears.

            Next character was Ronald Chua played by Arnold Reyes. He is a son of a Chinese man and a Chavakano woman. He and his mother were pushed away by the grandmother of his father. He then went back to sell the old house they used to live in. He had also tried to reconnect with his brother but he still was pushed away. Selling a place in the middle of the squatter’s area is truly hard which led him to accept what his homosexual buyer did to him. He may have received the pay in cash but he still lost a part of his dignity. He then left the place throwing the picture of his father. On his way he found a prostitute whom he then accepts to bed with. But in the end, everything was just a scam. He was beat with a gun, which left him unconscious, and took all his belongings. He woke up with only his brief on and walked the streets which led him to being imprisoned.

            And lastly is Baste de Guzman played by Sid Lucero. He is actually the brother of Elgine who punched the life out of Arnold Reyes. He is the only son of their family; his father was imprisoned for stabbing someone; his older sister currently lives a miserable life. His duty now was to help and protect his siblings and his mother. He was a marine student who also works with his cousin at a pet shop. As the film went on, we find out that he donated blood just to earn money, which also happened while Boy saw his child. Life grew harder and Elgine went home later in the evening. When Elgine could no longer contact Arnold, she simply cried until Baste found her. He then asked to her to tell him who he was which then brings us back to the fight. He had shown Elgine the true identity of Arnold. When Elgine then finds out that she has aids, she decided to commit suicide.

The current life that these people were currently living marked the end of the story.

The film was clearly character driven. The characters did splendid in portraying their roles. The setting, at the city of Manila, was very effective, especially in the suspension of disbelief; the smoky streets, and the crowded people. The use of yellowish colors also helped in creating a certain heavy mood. The lighting was also good but there are some parts that the lights were no longer seen which created confusion to the viewer. But then, that night have been one of their style. The film clearly showed the people what the movie was all about: survival in a real city. The use of sex and music was also effective although there are some parts that the music became too much covering what the film was trying to show.

The style of the film was different from what is common. Its timeline was truly amazing. Every scenario actually happened on the same time but it was shown separated to according to each character. We could notice this on the police station when Arnold was being put to prison; Boy was actually setting his mother free.

There might have been a lot of symbolisms but I have only found a few. One of which is the cross necklace worn by Arnold. It symbolizes that despite the bad deeds that he did; he still has faith in God. We noticed that he actually touches it whenever he is troubled which shows that not all bad men are anti-Christ. Another is the part where Baste donates blood to the hospital which shows that a man is actually capable of sacrificing his blood just to help his family. The abusive sex or the forced blowjobs received by Ronald and done by Boy, actually shows how a man is capable of losing dignity or pride just to earn and survive. Another is when Ronald throws the picture of his father together with the “for sale” sign. This symbolizes that he had finally let go of the past and is now ready to face the future.

I highly recommend everyone to watch this film for them to realize what living in a city truly is. It is as tough as living in a wild animal infested jungle. People need to see what is real and get rid of their glittered fantasy. 

The power of love

I have seen the Schindler’s list and it had focused more on the life of Schindler and how he managed to save lives, but in the movie Life is Beautiful, or La vita è bella, it focused more on a family. It basically had the same history to tell but both had a different approach. In this movie, it had a comical way which gave the viewers a good laugh before the tragedy had begun. A story of how a family filled with joy had become separated.

The film began with a Jewish man, Guido Orefice, who had his German woman, Dora, through his humor and wit. They had a son named Giosué Orefice. Everything was going well with the family until one day, during Giosué’s birthday, when the woman’s mother had decided to visit the family, Guido, Giosué, and their uncle Eliseo were taken by the Nazis. Dora did not wish to see her family suffer without her which made her decide to come with them. Guido jokingly did his best to keep his son from feeling fear by telling him that everything was just a game and the prize would be a real tank. As the war was about to end, Guido takes the opportunity to find his wife but he makes sure he hides his son safely. Unfortunately, he was caught and killed. When the place grew peaceful, Giosué came out of his hiding place as ordered by his father before. He was then invited to ride on a real tank which made him very happy. What adds to his joy was seeing his mother. And in the end we learn that the man narrating the story is Giosué himself, showing the sacrifice done by his father for them.

            The title and the story actually create confusion. You might ask how life could be beautiful during the holocaust. Well, the movie is not actually about that, the movie is actually showing how someone could show love, courage, and optimism in any circumstances. We have seen him do that even before the war had begun until his death. The setting was truly believable as well as the clothing used by them, it effectively lit the people’s suspension of disbelief. But of course, the characters were the ones who had drawn the emotions of the viewers. Roberto Benigni, as Guido Orefice, is to blame with the mixed emotions felt by the viewers. He effectively portrayed a role of man, showing strength and courage, as well as a role of a father, loving, protective and optimistic. Nicoletta Braschi, as Dora, had also shown how a woman in that time would’ve been. She effectively portrayed a loving mother and a loving wife. Although she was not much seen in the film, she had still given the viewers a glimpse of how a real loving woman would sacrifice everything that she had for her family knowing that she German. She, like Schindler from the Schindler’s list proved that not all Germans during that time were as bad and as insane as the others. Giorgio Cantarini, as Giosué Orefice, is the one who gave the viewers a huge smile because of his adorableness and innocence. According to Carlo Celli, “The other aspect of this reduction of horror was the decision by Benigni and Cerami to present the story as a fable. Benigni has stated that Life Is Beautiful was partly inspired by the stories his father, Luigi, told of his experiences in a Nazi work camp in Erfurt, Germany. Roberto has claimed that conditions in his father's camp were quite similar to those in the death camps, with the important difference that there were no death chambers. Benigni recalls that his father never told the story of his internment in a way that would frighten or depress his children. This respect and protection of innocence had a profound impact on Benigni, who sought to repeat his father's approach to the subject (Simonelli 7). Benigni and Cerami's script therefore is presented as a fable; the premise of the film in which Benigni's trickster protagonist defeats the ogres of Italian fascism and Germa n Nazism is offered in a basic fairytale format. The reconstruction of the camp as a stone building rather than a more realistic wooden frame complex adds to the fairytale setting.”

            The symbolisms were quite minimal. The horse that was painted green symbolized the hatred that the Nazis have towards the Jews which later on sparked the beginning of the war. Another is the anvil carried by the workers which had shown how much they’re suffering. The tank symbolized hope; it had shown that beyond such tragedy, there would always be something to look forward to. Overall, the movie was a movie worth watching to touch every hearts of the viewers and too learn things about life as well.

Power and Forgiveness

            A historical film by Steven Spielberg, The Schindler’s list, depicts the Holocaust focusing on a man who saved lives, Oskar Schindler. Oskar Schindler, an industrialist from Czechoslovakia, realizes that a war in Europe would be a great time to make money. The movie begins with Jews being forced to leave their homes, properties, and career and to live in overcrowded ghettos. It then shows us what Schindler was doing during that time. He was sitting on a fine table at a fancy nightclub in the city of Krakow occupied by the Nazi. As he drank alone, he scanned the clientele and slowly casts his eyes on the German officers. He plied them with food and wine which transformed a separate tabled nightclub into one party with a song for the Nazi Officials. He had made a connection between the Nazis and the Jews as he met Itzhs Stern, an accountant and a Jew, who helped him with the business. Itzhak Stern is an official of Krakow's Judenrat, a Jewish Council, who has contacts with the Jewish business community and the black marketers inside the Ghetto. The Jewish businessmen lend Schindler the money for the factory in return for a small share of products produced. Opening the factory, Schindler pleases the Nazis and enjoys his newfound wealth and status as "Herr Direktor", while Stern handles all the administration. Schindler hires Jewish Poles instead of Catholic Poles because they cost less almost getting nothing for it is paid to the SS). Workers in Schindler's factory are allowed outside the ghetto, and Stern falsifies documents to ensure that as many people as possible are deemed "essential" to the German war effort, which saves them from being transported to concentration camps, or being killed. Amon Goeth is then introduced, a man in charge of the camp where workers are housed. He was pure evil as he randomly kills people without any reason just to show his power. Schindler had to bribe him to stay in business with him. Such cruelty done by Amon Goeth caused Schindler’s change from an opportunistic man to a humanitarian.

            The story revolved around Oskar Schindler which was about power and forgiveness which is obvious on the words spoken by Amon Goeth, “I pardon you.” The amount of surprise and suspense were balance as well. Liam Neeson, as Oskar Schindler, was effective in portraying a womanizing businessman. He was such a flexible actor as he built a combination of self-confidence, indecision, and doubt. Even with the change from being a profiteer to a savior. Ben Kingsley, as Itzhak Stern, did a great as Schindler’s sidekick. He had also given an image of an adviser who gives implied messages to Schindler like the part when he said, “Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.” Ralph Fiennes, as Amon Goeth, brilliantly portrayed his role well. He had intensely depicted an insane man who’s secretly in love with a Jew. We see in him a picture of a sad man with great pride. The setting was of course very appropriate especially for such story. The color used helped in the suspension of disbelief. It had effectively given the image of how the life would’ve seemed like during those times. The use of sex and music were also okay. It was appropriate for it was simply used to lift the mood, it was not too much nor too less. American films are known to be plot oriented but Steven Spielberg had shown a different style which is character oriented. 

     

           The symbolisms of the films were quite visible but hard to decipher. One of which is the little girl in red. She symbolizes Schindler’s change; A change from being a selfish profiteer to a caring savior. Another is the candle lit during the beginning and the end of the film which symbolizes a little glimmer of hope. Schindler himself is a symbol. He showed us that not all Germans during those times were as ‘evil’ as the others. The Factory owned by Schindler symbolizes the shelter of the Jews which also served as their protection. The List itself symbolized the lives of the Jews saved from the wrath of the Nazis. It may merely be pieces of papers but those papers save a thousand lives.

Over all, the movie gave the people the truth behind the horrors of the holocaust. My mother told me that I was lucky to have watched the whole film for during their time, the movie was restricted and parts were cut. This film is highly recommended for everyone to see. This would let them appreciate the life that they have just as it did to me. 

Freedom

           The story was about a mute woman, Ada McGrath, who was sent away by her father to marry a wealthy land owner, Alistair Stewart. She was shipped to an island together with her daughter Flora bringing her piano with them. The weather was not welcoming them upon their arrival yet she still stayed and waited for her husband to pick them up. Stewart, on his way to his wife, was clearly shy yet he showed respect and authority. He fetches his wife and child leaving the piano behind for his house had no room for it. Ada had been mute since she was six and the piano had been her only way of expressing her emotions. The great attachment she had with the piano was the reason as to why letting go of it was so hard. As her husband left the second day, she went to George Baines, an illiterate friend of her husband, to accompany her to the shore where her piano was left. She played the piano all day as her daughter danced. Baines’ facial expressions obviously showed that he had fancied Ada. The next day, Baines made a deal with Stewart; to trade in Ada’s piano with the swamp. Stewart agrees regardless of Ada’s refusal. Baines added that he would want Ada to teach him to play. At first, Ada refused to play it for she thought it was out of tune but as soon as she heard that it wasn’t, she immediately played it. Baines took pleasure on seeing Ada play which was the reason as to why he asked her to teach him by showing him as an alibi. He had even made a deal with her to play a number of keys with certain consequences. With the lusting going on, Flora had been left outside. As days passed, they were bound to be caught. Stewart found them but instead of stopping them, which I expected, he lay under the house and listened to them. He tried to win her but he had no hope. He chopped a finger from Ada out of anger but in the end, he still had to let go. In the end, Ada left with Baines and Flora to live a better life, sinking the Piano under the sea.

            I certainly felt angry towards the movie as to the betrayal done by Ada to her husband. But, I still couldn’t blame her for doing it. Baines was the complete opposite of Stewart. Stewart was more focused on tending and growing his land, having no romance with Ada while Baines was a desperate romantic. With the affection he showed towards Ada, such relationship was meant to happen.

            The movie is character oriented. The actors and actresses portraying the roles are very effective in drawing people’s emotions along with them. Holly Hunter, as Ada McGrath, is truly great in portraying the characters heavy and complicated emotions without the use of verbal dialogue. Harvey Keitel, as George Baines, also did great in his role as a mad, desperate lover. Sam Neill, as Alistair Stewart, also did well given his role as the confused husband. The actress who made the movie truly effective, worth watching, and entertaining was Anna Paquin as Flora McGrath. The movie would’ve been dull without her. The theme of the movie was about the expression of one’s love and being free. We could clearly see in the movie that each of the characters has its ways of showing their love. It had also shown Ada’s search of freedom. The setting, at a forest in New Zealand, was appropriate for the story as it gave a dream like image which, I think, is the style of the director Jane Campion. The cinematography was also great with the effect of the film that it brought like the travel from Scotland to New Zealand.

            In the beginning of the film, we’d see Ada’s fingers, which in our point-of-view would seem as if we were peeping on it. This also seemed like bars or the keys of the piano which symbolizes Ada’s imprisonment. The use of voice over may also denote her imprisonment as she said that she’d never speak again. In the end, the piano had been sunk in the ocean which basically implies that Ada is no longer imprisoned but was now a free woman. She had also practiced speaking as shown in later part of the ending.  According to Alan A. Stone, “Campion's symbolism, like Freud's, makes the connection between the sacred and the profane. Playing the piano is Ada's consuming and sacred passion, a cry of the free spirit up to heaven. But playing the piano also has a sexual meaning that comes straight out of the Freudian text as a symbol of autoeroticism. The man who is to be Ada's husband is oblivious to all this. He abandons the icon on the beach. No film ever had a more perfect title.” 

Too good to be true

            Mark Meily’s Baler is a historical film about the Siege of Baler which, according to Wikipedia.org, was a battle of the Philippine Revolution and concurrently the Spanish-American War. Filipino revolutionaries laid siege to a fortified church manned by colonial Spanish troops in the town of Baler, Philippines for 11 months. The battle is considered part of the Spanish-American War since the Filipinos were allied with the United States at the outset. That war ended in December 1898 with Spain's surrender and annexation of the Philippines to the United States. However, cut off from communications with their own government and military, the Spanish forces continued their defense against the Filipino forces until 1899.

            The twist in the movie is that within this war, two lovers seek to find freedom to love each other for one is a half-Spanish, half-Filipino soldier, Celso Resurreccion, and the other is a Filipina, Feliza Reyes. What’s worse is that the father of Feliza, Danial Reyes, is actually one of the heads of such rebellion against the Spaniards. Her father had hated the Spaniards after what they did to him and his family and would kill anyone related to them. He had even hated his son for choosing stay and help the church rather than staying with him to fight the Spaniards.

As the story goes on; days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months and the soldiers starved. One Spanish soldier successfully escaped and tried to help the Filipinos by convincing Capt. Morenas but he failed. The starvation made the Spaniards go mad; crying and shouting. Capt. Morenas died and was replaced. The Filipino soldiers attempted to escape to see their loved ones. Two succeeded but the other two failed. Betrayal between the two occurred which led to the death of Resurrecion. The general found out that the Spaniards had lost and agreed to surrender. Feliza, who gave birth to their son, cried over Resurrecion’s body. The last scene showed Feliza walking at Baler with her son few years older. This goes to show that the film is plot-driven.

            Although the film had garnered numerous awards, I still wasn’t that content with the film. It may be different from most of the films done by Filipinos but it still had much to improve on. The setting was actually great as it gives us that 80’s feeling. All of the characters did great although I think Jericho Rosales as Celso was not believable as a half Spanish, half Filipino soldier. He really looked more of a Filipino. Same goes with Anne Curtis which was a Filipina. The both did their roles well but their physical appearance was not appropriate. Philip Salvador, on the other hand, amazed me as he swiftly changed emotions from a furious when his son helped the priest; fearful when he thought of his son’s protection; and then blissful as his son returned to him. Baron Geisler as well is indeed a very good actor and indeed is effective as Capt. Enrique Fossi de las Morenas. He was first seen commanding his troops which might give you a negative impression but during the war, but seeing how he welcomed Gabriel, son of Daniel, would change your mind. The use of music was effective and so did the use of voice over. The use of lights, on the other hand, was disturbing. There was one scene where in Feliza was reading a letter and the lamp she held was below her. How could you read a letter with the light below the paper? It was also clearly shown that the light did not touch her face but for cinematography’s sake, I presume, light was given during medium close up shots.

            The symbolisms in the film were pretty simple to me; the use of white flags as a sign of peace or ceasefire; the eating of dog showed how the people were starving, the dog itself, Bravo, symbolizing a link between Feliza and Celso; the church as the Spaniards shelter and which later on symbolized the last war between the Filipinos and the Spaniards and the death of Celso; the flowers blown by Celso trying to get Feliza’s attention symbolized that regardless of what their in to, their love would never be separated.

Heartwarming Food in the Fridge

In the bottom of the globe where nothing seemed to exist, not even a virus, eight men were assigned to conduct a research leaving their family or loved ones behind. They thought that having such privilege were the greatest achievement that they’d ever have, but as days passed by, different emotions played with they’re minds. There were happy, sad, frustrated, and silent times, but with anything that came their way, there was this one thing that would always keep them motivated: food.

It was Jun Nishiruma, a navy cook, who was assigned to cook for the men. The movie, The Chef of the South Pole, was actually driven by him. Each man had different characteristics, just like any family, they got together during meal time. Each food he makes is done with carefully with love and care. Each food was delicate. He’d take pleasure seeing the crew eat his food with joy. The food was the men’s source of strength.

 The film simply showed how those men lived at an isolated place; how they fought each day from being sorrowful, and how they strengthened their friendship. They were set at Dome Fuji Station at the heart of Antarctica.

The characters also did greatly and effectively. According to Catherine Munroe Hotes, “Sakai is the master of subtle expression, and his comedic talents are balanced by an amusingly diverse cast of characters who deal with their isolation from home comforts in a variety of ways: the doctor (Kosuke Toyohara) decides to train for a triathlon in undershorts, mittens, and boots in the freezing cold on a bicycle, taichō (Kitarō ) goes hilariously balmy when the station runs out ramen, and the chief of the station (Kanji Furuda) longs for long hot times in the bathroom due to the rationing of water.”

The use of music was also appropriate in accordance with the scenes. The music in a way helped in the suspension of disbelief. Not that the film wasn’t true; it dragged the people along making it seem that they were in it too.

The cinematography was done exquisitely. The framing plus the shots were very good that it made it believable. I would also credit the way the food scenes were taken. Each scene made me hungry every time it was shown. I personally do not like Japanese food but this film made me crave to have some.

The telephone symbolizes the communication they have with their families. It was clearly shown that it was their only way to connect with their loved ones. The snow symbolized how the men tried to overcome their sorrows, being cold. They had to be cold to survive such an isolated place. The necklace that the chef wore, containing his eight years old daughter’s tooth, symbolizes the love and the memory that he has of his family. The Food symbolizes the men’s motivation to continue. It was their source of strength. This could clearly be seen in two scenes from the film where first, one got too depressed to know that they ran out of ramen; and second, as they were gathering ice for water, they cheered “fried lobster” each time they dug. It warmth of the food touched their hearts regardless of the temperature.

Over all, the film was great. It has turned a film that was thought to be melodramatic into an enjoyable one. It was something unusual in Filipino and American films which we Filipinos are used of watching. I do advice viewers to eat before watching the film to prevent themselves from extreme envy and hunger. 

Guilty Pleasures

            El crimen del Padre Amaro, or The Crime of Father Amaro, a character driven film directed by Carlos Carrera depicts a life of a priest who has been newly ordained. He was assigned at Los Reyes, Mexico, the place that changed his life. He was to assist the old priest, Father Benito. In the beginning of the movie, we see how kind the priest was. He lent some of his money to the man who sat beside him after being robbed at the bus. At the church, he showed integrity and compassion to keep the church in order. As days past, he sees what the church had kept from the eyes of the people. He found out that Fr. Benito had sexual relations with a local café proprietor Sanjuanera and accepts money from drug lords to be used at the building of the hospital. He also found out that another priest was helping the guerillas. A young girl who was madly in love with the church fell in love with Fr Amaro which her boyfriend noticed. Such conflict occurred which led to a breakup, and further led her boyfriend, Ruben, to write a story about the church regarding the money laundering. As problems rose, so did the lust of Fr. Amaro towards Amelia. He gave in to the temptations and had sexual relations with Amelia which impregnated her. Instead of being a father to his child, he pushes Amelia to abort the child. The abortion caused Amelia’s death which Fr. Amaro all passed the blame to Ruben.

            After watching the film, I questioned if it were banned from the cinemas for almost all the citizens of Mexico were catholic which means that they respect their priest. If such movies were shown, it might cause the people to question the church and loose its trust. I found out that Roman Catholic indeed tried to ban such movie but they failed which made this film a huge hit.

            The movie was set at Los Reyes, Mexico, where Fr. Amaro was assigned. Gael García Bernal, who played Fr. Amaro, was truly excellent. He had done his role well which kept the people guessing what he’d do next. Ana Claudia Talancón, as Amelia, also did her work gracefully. She showed how a young lady would do in such cases. The theme was about love and sin: Love between him and his priesthood, and love between him and Amelia; and Sins in forms of lust, betrayal, and greed shown by the priests themselves. The use of music in the film was appropriate including the sex scenes. If both were not in movie, it would have made really dull. Accroding to Malone, the style of the film is that of the telenovella so popular in recent years in Latin America. Critics from less emotional societies find the telenovella style particularly melodramatic, highly volatile and emotional with characters and situations often presented in broad and sweeping strokes. This is an accepted way of storytelling. As the critic for Variety shrewdly pointed out, the audiences for which El Crimen was geared would have no trouble in appreciating its style. There was one cinematic flaw that I noticed. It was when Fr. Amaro was beaten up by Ruben who gave him bruises but as he went to the church and saw Amelia, the bruises were suddenly gone.

            People would directly question the church after the movie, generally speaking. But as for me, I came to a conclusion as to what the movie was really trying to tell the viewers. The movie is trying to show what could happen behind the walls of the church or it may simply depict the natures of any men and women.  Basically, the movie itself was a symbolism how easily people could be tempted to commit any form of sin. 

The water inside the swimming pool

            To write something, one must be inspired. Just as in the movie “Swimming Pool”, a crime novelist, Sarah played by Charlotte Rampling, needed to continue her book series but she couldn’t for she lacked inspiration. Her publisher, John, whom I assumed she fancies, allowed Sarah to use his villa for her to continue writing her book. Sarah was having a peaceful time writing her book until someone arrived. It was the unexpected arrival of her publisher’s ill-disciplined daughter Julie, played by Ludivine Sagnier. Things didn’t go according to plan for the peacefulness of the building was always disrupted with Julie’s bring-home-guy every night. As time passed by, Sarah grew interest in writing a story about Julie instead which led the two to become friends. Unfortunately, Julie found what Sarah was writing and got disappointed but she never confronted Sarah about it. Julie then brings home a waiter who Sarah most often meets, and also I assume she fancies. All went well until the waiter refuses to have sex with Julie, the cause which led Julie killing him. Sarah discovers what happened and helps in burying the body and cleaning evidences which she’d know for she writes stories about it. Julie decides to go leaving a book which her mother wrote. She shows it to her publisher who thought it was bad but she had the courage to have a different publisher. What gave me a shock was at the end of the story where the real Julie arrives at the office.

           

Julie is simply the woman that Sarah longs to be: an emotionally and sexually free woman. Therefore, Julie is actually unreal. Julie is the representation of Sarah as to who she was to be. This would clearly be noticed by the age of the men being brought home. Julie is Sarah. The real Julie has no connection with the fake Julie though. The formation of such persona of Julie may have been from the resentment she had for John for only seeing her as an object and not as a woman, a sexually hungry one.

            We somehow show our true selves when no one’s watching. Just as Sarah, she wants to be herself with no one watching, but of course, there will always be someone. That someone is God which is the reason why she removes the crucifix from the wall. Another motif would be the scars on Julie’s stomach. We were always taught that “bad girls” do things like committing adultery, abortion, masturbation, or using vices. This then gives us an implication that Julie must have had committed abortion or adultery which goes to show that she is a “bad girl”. The part when Sarah and Julie had a row goes to show that Sarah is having a battle with herself; her modest and liberated self. The time Sarah and Julie got along means that she made peace with herself. The killing of Franck did not happen in reality, it simply showed that her journey is about to end. The burying of the dead body symbolizes the burial of who she was before. She had let go of her past, insecure, and confined life. When Marcel noticed the change in the lawn and was thinking of digging the “old Sarah”, Sarah showed her breast, a sign of the new her. She doesn’t want to be her old self. The book that Julie gave her, written by Julie’s mother, shows the result of the new book she had made and the new book of her life. The waving at the end of the movie showed that Sarah no longer needs Julie anymore. The swimming pool was the overall symbolism of Sarah herself. As the pool’s cover was being pulled out, the change in her was also happening. Therefore, it symbolizes Sarah’s change from being covered into being liberated. Notice how she dressed at the first few scenes and in the last. She was like an old angry woman in the beginning and was more feminine and happy woman in the end.

            The movie was obviously character driven; all revolved around Sarah. Charlotte Rampling had a portrayed her role excellently as well as Ludivine Sagnier. The setting was appropriate for the movie. A mixture of thrill and emotion were bursting in the film.  The sex scenes were also appropriate for without it the movie would really be dull. Overall, the movie was done so well as it effectively made people think.

Untangling Sex and Lucia

Words that I would immediately think of when I hear this movie are erotic, confusing, and melancholy: confusing for its plot; melancholy for the theme itself; and erotic for the detailed love making. The plot would be the thing that’s quite impossible for me to tell. It started in the middle and ended in the middle as well. What made it more confusing is the mixture of the novel being written by Lorenzo and the story of Lucia’s love life. It was a novel within a movie, so to speak. For this reason, you’d be guessing which is real, and which fantasy is. But of course, one thing is for sure, the movie was truly about Lucia and Lorenzo’s relationship.

The film was done with the montage style. Clips were joined together in a different order. It begun with Lucia’s heart getting heartbroken. She rushes to see her man only to find a suicide note. A sudden ring on the phone then tells her that her boyfriend, Lorenzo, died. To ease her pain, she went off to the island that Lorenzo kept on saying. She met a man named Carlos who then led her to a house where she could stay in. The house was owned by Elena, the mother of Lorenzo’s daughter Luna. The story then gives us a look at how relationships came to be and how it ended: Lucia’s proposal at a bar and the love making were shown; Lorenzo and Elena’s night at the beach showed how they had a daughter. Lorenzo never knew he had one until a friend of his told him. The thing is, he had to write a story about it. This then brings us to the confusing part trying to decipher which is real and made up by Lorenzo. He looks for a way to come closer to his daughter, and that was by having a relationship with Belen, Luna’s baby sitter. After he tucks his daughter to bed, he and Belen makes love commanding the dog to keep watch. Unfortunately, Luna get’s up and goes to their room which then resulted to her being attacked by the dog. Lorenzo flees while Belen committed suicide. Belen recovers while Lorenzo was trapped depressed. His depression led to the fading of love between Lorenzo and Lucia which brings us back to the break up.

The portrayal of Paz Vega as Lucia was truly effective. She acted naturally that you won’t see her have a single sign of nervousness. Tristan Ulloa also did great in portraying Lorenzo. He effectively drew people’s attention. The setting was at the “floating island” which basically was where everything revolved. The theme was about love. Love between a father and his daughter, and a love between lovers. The sex is the main attraction.  This kept the people eyes glued to the screen. The lovers’ exploration of their bodies and sexual tastes during their whirlwind courtship is erotic and tasteful; the scenes are arousing, but are also beautifully constructed to create a sense of true intimacy between the characters. The use of music weren’t that noticeable for me because the scenes were already seemed like music. The cinematography must be given an applause knowing that they only used a high definition digital camera.

According to Simon Wardell, “The director's trademark use of elemental symbolism also gives the movie other meanings not tied to plot, with the sun and moon joining the sea as forces shaping the characters' lives. Even the island that draws Lucia, Lorenzo, and Elena to it reputedly floats unsteadily on the water. And everything revolves around sex, from procreation to pornography, portrayed in the sort of unembarrassed, explicit detail in vogue in European arthouse releases these days.” Lorenzo also told something about making a good ending. He said “The first advantage is at the end of the story. It doesn't finish, it falls in a hole. And the story starts again halfway. The other advantage, and the biggest, is that you can change course along the way.” Just as the movie, it ended by showing the middle which again boggles your mind. 

Too much love

           

           A girl’s dream is to become a queen, but would they still want to be after seeing this? This is an historical movie about the life of Queen Joan of Castile. What makes this historical different from others is that this focused more on the “madness” or the mental illness of the queen. Political aspects or her being a mother was almost concealed in the movie.

            The film was obviously character driven. The movie revolved around Queen Joan as to know the cause of her insanity. It begins with showing her at a very old age, imprisoned, talking about her love and affection to his husband, King Philip “The handsome”. This then turns into a flashback showing how she was forced to marry Archduke Philip of Flanders to strengthen political ties. From this point on, the reason as to why she had gone mad were shown. . There were surprising moments like the time she gave birth to her daughter by herself. The ending was how I expected it to be, death of the king.

What made the movie more effective are the actors and actresses themselves.  Pilar Lopez de Ayala, as Joan, portrayed her role well. She both showed her role as being a queen of Spain, yet being obsessively in love with her husband. Daniele Liotti, as King Philip, wasn’t as good. Although he had portrayed it well, as a womanizer and a selfish king, more would have been done. He gave similar stares and emotions throughout the movie that almost made him dull. The minimal act maybe because the director wanted us to only see him that way. But, a shift of emotion changed during the ending when he was dying and asking for Joan’s forgiveness. I really felt his sincerity, but unfortunately he was never forgiven.

The movie is mainly about love. A love that is too much that it leads to madness. The love that the queen has for her husband is so great that she had forgotten her duties. This then brings up questions such as love or career; heart or mind? Such questions are still dealt with today. Numerous people whom I’ve known are obsessed with their love that they’ll give up anything just for them. A symbolism showing the Joan’s pure love for his husband is the time when the king was dying and she kissed him, even at his chest filled with bloody lumps. The movie has also traced why she is seen as mad woman. Who wouldn’t be if you find out the death of your mother plus the unfaithfulness of your husband in one day? But in today’s modern world, she acting that way may be seen as normal. It happens nowadays, especially the obsession with sex. According to Wikipedia.org, “Most historians now agree that she had melancholia, severe clinical depression, a psychosis, or a case of inherited schizophrenia at the time, and was not insane or 'mad' as was commonly believed.” Her way of thinking must be of a modern woman. She was born way past her time. The way she breast fed her child shows it. Another that symbolized her desperation to feel her husband’s love is how she’d always spread her legs in front of her husband.  There is another thing shown by the movie is the people’s capability to sin as shown by King Philip. He cheated, lied, and longed to have all power. The dark spell conducted by Aixa, the king’s favorite mistress, symbolizes how something so dark could happen anywhere. Sin could happen anywhere, even at places we thought was pure. This part of the movie though is just made up. Aixa never really existed during that time which goes to show that this historical movie is mixed with a hint of fiction.

The setting was nicely done. It was how anyone would imagine 16^th century Europe. This made the movie believable. The clothes worn were detailed as well as the lighting. The sex scenes shown also helped, not only to get people’s attention but also to show the character’s emotions. The use of voice over was essential for some scenes were not easily understandable by simply watching it. Overall, the movie was great. I highly recommend anyone to watch this film and see how they’d judge the Queen. 

Young Love

                

         This movie takes place in Sicily during the Second World War the time when Italy joined. The story revolves around a very beautiful woman, Malèna Scordia, whom every man desires and every woman envies. What kept those men away from her is the fact that she’s married. Her husband was one of the soldiers fighting for their country. But one day, when news arrived that he was dead, Malèna’s life started to change. Men wanted her even more, even the young boys. One of those boys was Renato, 12 years old boy, that grew obsessed with her and stalked her. He saw how Malèna suffered as men now had a reason to pursue her in any means possible. Gossips about her grew worst. A slanderous letter about her was sent to her deaf father which broke their father-daughter relationship. As the war worsens, a bomb was thrown onto their village that caused her father’s death. She begins to lose money because of the things that had been happening. She was accused of having an affair with a married man and was brought to court. A lawyer helped her and was freed. Knowing that she had nothing to pay him, he forced himself upon her in exchange. Out of severe poverty, she forced herself to engage to prostitution. She slept with various men, even with the Germans. When the war ended, a group of women beat her up in public and humiliated her. She was forced to leave the village and was last seen by Renato riding a train to Messina. Days or months later Malèna’s husband, Nino Scordia, arrived at the village with a lost arm. Everyone was shocked at the sudden appearance of a man who was alleged dead. He went straight to his house but instead of finding his wife, he found a group of refugees. He asked around searching for his wife but no one dared to tell him. Renato, almost knowing everything, told Nino through a letter. Nino went after Malèna and went back to the village to start a new life. The women no longer saw her as a threat in their village and were astonished for the bravery that she showed. During the end of the movie, Renato said, “Of all the girls who asked me to remember them, the only one I remembered is the one who did not ask.”

            Basically, the story is being narrated by Renato as he watched Malèna. The flow of the story was done great allowing the viewers to understand the story. This also had the right amount of suspense in it. The movie wouldn’t have been effective if it wasn’t for the character of Giuseppe Sulfaro which was Renato. He had done a fine way to portray a young boy who had obsession with an untouchable woman. He had performed well on showing the steps he’d taken to enter manhood. He had also given the film a reason to laugh. Monica Belluci, as Malèna, had also effortlessly portrayed her role well. She was beautiful in any angle, clothe or unclothe. She had successfully shown romance, bravery, and sympathy with only a few words spoken. The two leads did great even if they had less interaction.

            The setting of the movie was at town of Castelcuta, Sicily during the world war, which is therefore a political allegory. This showed how the government worked during those days. The setting helped give viewers a glimpse of what the past looked. The dirty yellow color used in the movie made it seem like the place was really old and was in a huge mess which made it more effective. In addition to this were the type of buildings used, which were old stuccos and stone legends.

            The movie silently speaks of what love is. One was shown by Malèna as she loyally and faithfully loves his husband regardless of distance. Second is shown by Renato as he continues to keep an eye on Malèna and guards her even if done behind her due to his lack of courage. The movie also shows how people treat each other: they all base it on someone’s appearance. Renato has also shown humanity through his willingness to step outside the box and grow into a man.

            I have noticed a few symbolisms in the movie as well. One is the wearing of pants. Renato, first seen wearing shorts was pushed away because he is seen as a young boy. This also showed how people judge by class or by their appearance. Another is the seat used in the barbershop. Renato, still wearing shorts, was forced to sit somewhere else while other men, who wore long pants, were treated respectfully. Another is the black dress worn by Malèna which showed how sorrowful she was with the death of her husband and her father. The cutting and dying of her hair symbolized the change in her life. This showed that she was letting go of her past and of who she was.

            Overall, the movie was worth watching as it dealt with a lot of issues like prostitution, war, and people’s poor judgments. It would have still gone well even without the sex scenes. I highly recommend this movie to everyone to see for themselves what the past was and see how it is today. This would open people’s eyes and start seeking for the betterment of their country and of themselves. I know I did.