"A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world." - Anonymous
I'm still confused myself... but perhaps the Academy was confused too, in choosing Seth Macfarlane as this year's host. Yes he was awesome (as some people would say), but he was pretty rude too (what I would say), especially to women. You know, jokes about women's parts ("We Saw Your Boobs"), women eating disorders (the flu joke), women stereotypes (that we don't ever let go, or that we're such nags, or we're difficult), violence against women (Chris Brown beating Rihanna), younger women hooking up with far too older men (Quvenzhane Wallis hooking up with George Clooney), etc. To Mr. Macfarlane and the Academy, there's nothing honorable about them.
I just think that the Oscars wasn't the appropriate venue for Seth Macfarlane's cringe-worthy jokes. He could've let Ted, the talking teddy bear he created, do the talking in some scumbag movie instead.
Since I am single this Valentine's Day, I most probably will spend this occasion by myself.. but I don't mind at all. Not anymore. Thanks to a crazy line up of things to do at school today which sure will keep me busy and take the pressure off my mind. And my heart, too.
Thanks again to my circumstances at school, this year's Valentine's Day will be taken lightly, if not unnoticed. Which is real nice because it will save me tears, bitter feelings, self-loathing and expenditures on alcohol and food. Also, honesty is cheap. Coming to peaceful terms with one's bitter self helps keep one's sanity on occasions like this.
One word now: indulge. This occasion only happens once a year so there's no point in sulking over ill feelings, my friend. Red roses, heart-shaped balloons, cakes, cookies and chocolates are nice. Feel joy, not kill joy. Feel love. Give love. On Valentine's Day.
So. This year, my plan is to indulge in these favorite movie/TV characters of mine and perhaps let some tears fall on my cheeks as I fall in love with their stories once more. These pairs by the way are my top favorite love birds since forever. It wasn't hard coming up with this list as these characters were so close to my heart. Oh, they make being in love look so good!
The movie didn't fail it's promise of a bloody good time. I've read a number of reviews and yes they were affirmative of its genius. While some thought otherwise, their opinions were still pretty decent because the movie really was decent to begin with. Not literally speaking of course, as it was outrageously mad, crazy, violent, and quite morbid, but delightful still. I mean, you are most likely to enjoy watching it (albeit some moments of shock -- but if you do find shock enjoyable, why not). There's no doubt about the former part of my description -- the dark part. For justification, exhibit A: the very title of the movie: Seven Psychopaths. Or as the characters might say, Seven fucking Psychopaths. The catch about this movie is, sir Martin McDonagh (writer and director), tried to subvert.. Subvert, hmm. Twist. Yeah, let's just use twist. From the beginning until the end, the movie imposed on that twist on the nature of psychopaths which we all think is just plain dark. But Marty, the struggling writer who was writing a screenplay about these psychopaths, was a pacifist. This isn't something that his best friend Billy didn't already tell him: Marty's subject was about psychopaths but he wanted his movie to be over-all about love and peace. At first, I thought such idea was impossible and ambitious, naive even. Surprisingly, somehow, the movie was able show some love and peace, balance carnage and compassion, that in the end, I became fond of the characters (who were psychos, for the record). But then again, it was all just fiction.
Also, I liked that the movie had a lot of meta. Marty writing a screenplay which they are already acting upon.. Dream sequences.. The movie was smart.
Up next: 'In Bruges'. Another comedy-crime film by sir Martin McDonagh starring Colin Farrell who played Marty, the writer, in Seven Psychopaths. My favorite character was Billy though. It was played by Sam Rockwell and I think Seven Psychopaths might just be the turning point in his career 'cause his acting was pretty much amazing. Anyway, the ensemble of actors in the movie was effective. They all did a good job.
I'll bloody watch Seven Psychopaths, if I were you.
I am not a film critic, but I enthusiastically and passionately enjoy watching films. I like sharing my thoughts and though they may not be too critical (for my taste, or maybe yours too), it doesn't matter. Nietzsche said, "It is not things, but opinions about things that have absolutely no existence, which have so deranged mankind!" So, just read on.. and judge the movie on your own.
Catch this year's Cinema Rehiyon 5 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños from February 5-8. FREE ADMISSION!
Cinema Rehiyon, the flagship project of the Cinema Committee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), is an annual non-competition film festival held every February that showcases the works of filmmakers from the various regions of the Philippine archipelago, outside Metro Manila. It is part of the Philippines Arts Festival in celebration of the National Arts Month. (Read more.)
Click here to download Festival Schedule Visit: http://cinemarehiyon.com/
Kung Fu. Karate. Martial Arts. I believe that there's more to Chinese movies than what I have mentioned. In this faith, I decided to catch the 7th Spring Film Festival at EDSA Shangri-La Plaza today. I thought of it as an opportunity to take a peek at a possibly rich Chinese film industry as the festival features a diverse collection of films about Chinese society and culture. The films included in the festival are Piano in a Factory, Storm Warriors, Golden Times, Jasmine Women, 2Become1, and Space Dream. Admission is free, hurray!
We watched 2Become1, a film about Bingo Leung and her breast.. cancer.
Bingo Leung, an advertising executive, has always lived a carefree life that includes guarding her turf in the office, dating, and gossiping with her three girlfriends. One day, she finds a lump in her left breast. Everything begins to fall apart as she tries to cope with the loss of femininity in a series of bittersweet events. With the help of a happy-go-lucky Doctor V and a shy but talented teenager Sing, Bingo begins to find new meanings in her turmoil and the will to face her own demons.
The copy that we saw was in low resolution. Its dimensions were not audience-friendly. Placing the subtitles (the language of the movie was Chinese) at the very bottom part of the screen made it challenging for the audience to take a good look at the scenes of the movie. It was sometimes impossible to catch what was happening on screen since the characters were speaking too fast and the subtitles were too long to read. It was quite a struggle particularly for those who did not speak and understand Chinese.
The movie was dragging. It ran for 1 hr and 38 mins but it seemed too long for a regular Comedy-Drama movie. There was too much on the table. They were not even inviting. The movie had a handful of elements, sub-stories, sub-conflicts that made the main character rather busy. There was the ex-boyfriend who came back and cheated upon her, the girl friends who were fighting over a man, the shy but talented teenager Sing, her unique family, her job as an advertising executive, and of course, her enemy turned love Doctor Vincent. There was just too much going on. Give us a break.
Mixing drama with comedy on the issue of fighting a horrible disease such as breast cancer is a risky move. The movie was able to make that work but in general, the movie did not have a lasting effect. It did give us some good laughs, but that is all.
The New Directions must do a fund-raising activity to pay for their bus to the Regionals
Tina suggests a "The Men of McKinley" Calendar
Artie Abrams: "Why is it just the men? Why can't we objectify the girls too?"
Kitty Wilde: "'Cause girls are the one that buy stuff. We're responsible for the consumer-driven economy. Those Twilight books are poop on paper and we've turned them into a billion dollar industry."
Kitty Wilde. She's not just a pretty face. Or is she?
Whether she is a career woman or is a stay-at-home mom, we know she's got the purchasing power. But she better be wise with that power.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings chronicles the epic struggle between the forces of good and evil to control a ring which has the power to rule Middle-earth, a world populated with Elves, Dwarfs, Orcs, humans, sorcerers, and tiny furry earthlings known as Hobbits. Evolving into a series of three books, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, the trilogy was influenced by the academic’s fascination with languages, the dawn of the industrial age, the scarcity of English folklore, the horrors of being a soldier in WWI, and the rise to power of Adolph Hitler and the Nazi Socialist Party in Germany.
Source: http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2009/10/cinematic-adventurer-peter-jackson_14.html
As the adage goes, it is better late than never. For long now, I have been catching up on back movies especially those whose brilliance have left remarkable bearing on our generation's culture. Obviously, Peter Jackson's adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's literary masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, is a must watch.
Starting at 5 o'clock in the afternoon yesterday, I embarked on a 10-hour marathon of watching the trilogy. I ended up at 5 o'clock in the morning today. But I couldn't get my mind off it, so I began drafting a note..
Here is my two cents worth on the trilogy:
Power is in itself powerful. The Ring symbolizes power and it had its own mind. It encompasses man. And because it encompasses him, he thirsts for it. Power has always been man's quest. It comes in different levels, different forms. Either way, man wants to take control. It is innate in him, fueled by desire. But he is bound to some supernatural, natural, and even human control, thus restoring balance.
Destroy nature and it will destroy you. Man has always been vulnerable to destruction, and it has always been of his own doing. Man can never take over nature, even his very own nature. Man is nothing compared to these forces. He is weak because he is human.
Wars exist because men are animals. Life is all Hunger Games. Only the fittest survive.
Animals are exploited in war films, especially horses and wild beasts. They are mere tools of man.
Kings are conceited and stubborn. It is their greed for power that brings war and destruction upon their people, yet they get the final credit and historians remember and write about them.
The rich use the middle and lower classes in their own battle for power. The poor's fate is to suffer.
The rich reaps what the poor sows. The rich always use the poor to protect its own interests. The latter is called and pressured to fight in wars with a battlecry that's for their country or kingdom but after the war, while the soldiers lay dead in bloodbath and ruins, the power of their leaders is just strengthened.
The 4 halflings - the hobbits - were praised after their crucial participation in the destruction of the ring and the restoration of peace but after that, they were back to the Shire, to their status where their importance is as small as they are.
In times of war, women are as useless as the elderly and the children. They are weak and must be hidden. They can do nothing.
The Great Eye in TLOTR can be compared to George Orwell's 1984's Big Brother; both are omnipotent, watching over the people.
The films encourage its viewers to have hope for man, for good. I think this is good message.
No man is an island. Two heads are better than one. The hero/main character always got a friend beside him.
2 of the Hobbits' names Merry and Pippin sound like Mary Poppins to me.
Arwen, Galadriel, and Eowyn all had the beauty that of a goddess. They almost looked the same. This is lack of perspective for me. Anyway, there were only few attempts to empower women in this film and it was only Eowyn's quest that came strong. Although at the end, she came back to being a lady in her kingdom. A muse of her man.
The films did not overwhelm me. This lack of gusto is probably from my opinion that some parts were exaggerated, some were absurd, and some were just time-consuming. My movie marathon took me almost 12 hours. What lengthy films indeed.
And as The Lord of the Rings is a fantasy film, it was inevitable for me not to compare it with other fantasy films such as:
J.K. Rowlings' Harry Potter series similarities with the trilogy:
the boy hero, orphan (Frodo Baggins and Harry James Potter)
Sauron and Voldemort, the dark lords, who have been defeated in a previous battle but who weren't entirely gone or destroyed but whose power were distributed to their lackeys or minions and whose presence remains. Both possessed a growing power that was attached to a certain instrument. (The Ring and The Horcruxes)
Gollum and Dobby - they differ in function but kind of appeared physically alike to me
Gandalf and Dumbledore - the wise wizards
Ringwraithers and Dementors - black, faceless figure that are servants of the dark lord
C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia similarities with the trilogy:
trees moving and joining the war
river scene where rushing water kills enemies
the use of wild beasts and other animals in war scenes
the unification of peoples from different lands/kingdoms
Generally-speaking, I did like the trilogy. Pardon my bland reaction but that's the most I could say. I know that the Lord of the Rings is considered one of the great films in history and I believe that. I have explained my lack of gusto earlier. Anyway, this trilogy is a good topic for more serious analysis or critique for the underlying issues in the films were aplenty.
My mind now is at rest. After all, another 10-hour journey awaits me. A journey home.
Favorite quotes:
"Fly, you fools!" - Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring
"It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life." - Bilbo Baggins, The Fellowship of the Ring
"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."
"Not all those who wander are lost."
"How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart, you begin to understand, there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend. Some hurts that go too deep...that have taken hold." - Frodo, The Return of the King
P.S. New Zealand is beautiful. I shall fly thereto, someday. Someday.
Watching the brief but magical encounters between Jesse and Celine across beautiful and romantic European cities will make you fall in love with their story, the characters, and the notion and kind of love that was presented in these films. Listening to their profound conversations will make you ponder on life and decide for yourself which one you will believe in and live with. Story is sort of common, but the plot and the script were uniquely and captivatingly written.
Borrowing the words of my friend who learned from me about this movie, "Before Sunrise is a cultured and beautiful movie." She hasn't watched Before Sunset yet, but I'm sure she'll be fascinated by their love story.. all over again.
These films deserve more words of praise, but its brilliance has left me with no words more than lavish exaggeration. These films are brilliant. Enough said. It's third sequel, Before Midnight, is coming in 2013. Can't wait to see what happens 9 years after Jesse was about to miss his flight.
ONCE
"A modern-day musical about a busker
and an immigrant and their eventful
week in Dublin, as they write, rehearse
and record songs that tell their
love story."
When you're 20 and your IQ for music is low and insufficient, it's definitely hard to catch up. It's like learning a new language. And sometimes, it could get a little depressing. Your folks know which artists to listen to, which genres suit their taste, and which lyrics to master. Music is one of the many factors that define a generation. In my case, I know my generation based on other media or channels like movies, TV series, books, and of course, from myriad of posts on social networking sites.
It is my habit to check out a movie in IMDb first before playing it. I read the synopsis then leave it to my mood whether I'll watch the movie or not. Also, IMDb rating matters to me. Time is gold, you know. I want it spent wisely so I also choose wisely when it comes to movies to watch. I prioritize.
I have retired from watching musicals. I just don't see the point anymore in spending more time listening to the actors sing when they could deliver their lines right away. Is there a certain amount or form of rhetoric in this kind of approach wherein lines are sung instead of recited? Or maybe, some forms of art really just take more time. And patience, too. Anyway, aside from Glee, the TV series, I watch no more of such sort. 'Once' is not actually a musical. It is a music film and at first, I was hesitant to watch it, but I took my chances, and after an hour and eleven minutes of getting to know the characters, watching how their story unfolded, and listening to their music, I loved the movie. Definitely.
This movie has no bullshit or whatsoever. It's not your typical drama or romantic story between two musically-inclined strangers who fell in love... It was subtly a love story, the theme revolved more around their music as an expression of their romance with their past lovers and probably their feelings for each other too. The characters did connect, but the connection wasn't solely romantic. Their souls connected through music. It was beautiful. Real and straightforward. It was unique and special, rid of the common techniques and styles employed in mainstream movies. Of course there's nothing wrong with mainstream movies, but 'Once' gave me a different movie experience. The material was genuine and natural. It's filmmakers were able to preserve the freshness of each scene, no crappy editing that ruins the human touch or spirit. It's as if you were with them in the span of their story. It's authenticity and simplicity made the real felt surreal -- but a real kind of surreal. This was the magic of the movie. Pardon my inundated words but the movie was really so good. Fresh. A must watch.
Let me tell you the story of Will Freeman in the film 'About A Boy' where he is literally a "free man" for being happily unemployed, wealthy, a bachelor in his 30s, and for claiming the absence of family and friends in his life. However absurd these given conditions are, Will's character does exist in his own island, as he calls himself so. In fact he thinks he is Ibiza and considers himself an island dweller who just needs to visit the mainland from time to time. Then Marcus comes along, the 12-year-old boy-hero who first saved himself from being socially-awkward then saves Will too from his shallow (right, that sounds like hollow) and superficial life. In the end, Jon Bon Jovi was right, "No man is an island." and all the characters found their back-up.
Sometimes, I think I am an island too since I often find myself isolated from social circles or groups. But unlike Will, mine is not by choice. If I would be an island, I would like to be surrounded by 7, 106 others, just like the setting of the Philippine archipelago. But something has been keeping me away from the other islands. Maybe just like Will, my back up is on it's way too to serve as glue to my own Pangaea.
Dear Chandler, Monica, Ross, Rachel, Joey, and Phoebe:
“This is harder than I thought it would be.” – Monica Geller-Bing (The Last One)
Today, eight years after your show’s finale, I find myself in the same position as Monica, the rest of your gang, and your millions of fans who have journeyed along with your stories of friendship, family, and love and how fun and amazing you portrayed them to be. You gave me the best hope in my relationships and most especially, you shared the warmth and joy of your friendship with us, your audience who you also treated as your most loyal friends – that’s because we were. From the pilot episode up to the very last one, you have had our faith in your plot or story, our sympathy with your characters, and our love for your friendships that’s one in a million. You left us with some of the best memories we will ever have in our lives.
How could you know that last night, somewhere across the world, a 20-year-old college student who just heard of your show 2 months ago would be crying for hours in front of her computer and then to her best friend after completing all 10 seasons of FRIENDS? What is 10 years in 2 months! Am I a big loser for having watched your show just now after it’s finale in 2004? Well whatever, I’m glad I didn’t miss it at all.
It's so hard to say goodbye.
Thank you Chandler, Monica, Ross, Rachel, Joey, and Phoebe for being my friends when I’m alone in the dorm, for making me laugh so hard and bad every time I’m not feeling well (you were my medicine, my cure for bad stuffs), for tugging my heartstrings when Chandler proposed to Monica and for tearing them too when Rachel and Joey’s romance was put off, for reminding me how lovely it is to be a girl during Phoebe’s wedding, and to top all these, FOR BEING MY FRIENDS and helping me get through my isolation period in the past two months. FRIENDS will always be my favorite TV series. Farewell. You gave me the best time of my life.
Stella: You know I once talked my way out of speeding ticket? Ted: Really? Stella: I was heading upstate with my parents, I was doing 90 on the country roads. I got pulled over. So this cop, gets out of his car, swaggers over and he says, 'Lady, I've been waiting for you all day.' And I said, 'Sorry Officer, I got here as fast as I could.' Ted: For real? Stella: No, it's just a joke. I know that you're tired of waiting. And you may have to wait a little while more but, she's on her way, Ted. And she's getting here as fast as she can.
─
I have been working on my manuscript's first draft the whole day, plus I really couldn't resist watching FRIENDS (the TV show) so I kind of get caught in it in the middle part of the day but I'm working on my 7th page now and almost done with my quota for the day when this scene from HIMYM randomly popped up in my mind and screw the way things were going for me. Most girls' problem is that we overthink things a lot and being completely aware of that, I have been trying to stay focused on my manuscript but it's like an itch there in my head that I can't resist from not scratching. What I'm trying to say is, now I'm all soaked in bitterness and depression and so upset that I could not just be like those with really hard-like-rock hearts that they don't think about men so much and are just fine with being single and whatever it is they care about so much more than being in a relationship. You know those times when you just feel like you wanna rip your heart off your chest because its like a graveyard of fairy tales, childish dreams, and dying stars and hopeless wishes in there? Yeah, that's what I wanna do now.
Now if you happen to read this blog post, yeah I still wanna rip my heart off.
The first thing I did when I came out of the movie theater was shamelessly and aggressively ask someone to take this picture:
It was the nearest I could get to Batman.
After which, I just wandered around the vicinity like I was floating in Cloud 9, still so unbelievably mesmerized with I just saw for the past two hours and a half of my life. Boy that sure rolled by so fast! I didn't want the movie to end... I didn't want the legend to end.
I felt blogging 'The Dark Knight Rises' is the best thing to do for I could at least record a bit of the amazing experience the movie gave me. It is also to pay a little tribute, for the great time I had (even though I was alone).
Php125 is cheap already! I would pay more if I had to, for
the movie was really worth every cent of its' viewers.
As promised, no spoilers here.
Speaking of Legends
Sure, Batman is a legend, but CHRISTOPHER NOLAN (Director, Writer, and Producer of the movie) is truly legendary! Legitimately legendary, I would say. I could not express in words how stupendously awed and amazed I was by his brilliant skills as a director, his intelligence as a writer, and his vision as a producer. Sir Nolan has successfully proven that in his creation of the Batman series. He created the legend, and for me, that makes him a legend himself too!
Too bad that most viewers would skip, even disregard, the credits shown at the end of every movie. They have no slightest idea who they should be truly admiring at.
Do not watch it alone
My guts has made me accomplish a lot of things, has taken me to many places, and has earned me some really great friends, but this time, I wish my guts bailed on me. I watched the movie alone. I could watch any ordinary movies alone, but I wish my guts could spare the great ones! I'll tell you why.
(Segue) I remember reading through a certain post in my Facebook news feed about a couple who, after watching 'The Dark Knight Rises', weren't able to stop talking about and discussing over the issues from the movie.
A Very Intriguing Movie
I feel them now! In fact, I can still pretty hear my own thoughts battling inside my head and they're driving me nuts since I have not talked to anybody since I watched the movie. I need to talk to someone who has sense and rationality enough to understand the things or the matters I badly wish to say. That's why I knew I had to write this blog post in the first place. But I would spare you these thoughts I was talking about, because I promised not to give spoilers. Probably I can just write a movie review or a reaction paper after some time and when I watch the movie again (yes, I do intend to watch it for the second time).
I can be so sure that this movie has been worked so hard for by its filmmakers, actors, crew and staff. The concept was clear and complex, but well-executed. I can say that the filmmakers were not only concerned with cinematography, musical score, lights and sounds, etc, but also the plot of the movie which was very well thought of. If you are an active audience, you shall get intrigued by a lot of issues concerning political, capitalist, feminist, racial, and even religious in nature. The following themes were very apparent: power play in society; social clashes between classes: civilians vs authorities, rich vs poor, basically the powerful vs the marginalized; two-faced portrayal of women (the empowered and the manipulative, unreliable, backstabbing bitch); terrorists usually are from the Middle East, non-Christian, with beards; and a lot more.
Highly Recommended
This movie is highly thought-provoking as well as greatly entertaining. In fact, these were some of my tweets while I was watching the movie:
And oh, I cried too. I really recommend that you watch this movie.
Yesterday, June 12, 2012, the Philippines celebrated its 114th Independence Day. All together in spirit, Filipinos all over the world commemorated the day General Emilio Aguinaldo unfurled and waved the Philippine flag in Kawit, Cavite, year 1898, declaring our long-sought and -fought independence from our Spanish colonizers.
We, the present generation, owe it to our ancestors who willingly and courageously faced the enemy's sword (and guns) so that our nation could be set free and so that the Filipinos, could see the light again (I believe in Andres Bonifacio's tripartite view on our History ─ liwanag, dilim, liwanag).
We owe our present and our future to the past. Let us remember all the lives of our heroes who fought in the revolution and say at least a simple, 'Maraming salamat po.'
Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino.
Thank you, Google.
Because this video is really good. Says everything we need to know about the Philippine flag. But we have to dig deeper. A little research won't hurt.
Bottomline: know your country.
■■■
And now, the fun part... and it never goes undocumented.
I couldn't agree more with Summer Finn (500 Days of Summer), "We're young (add: we're independent) ... might as well have fun while we can and save the serious stuff for later." If there's one thing I learned today, that is to value the teachings of our elders because they really do know better, you know. We think all they do is treat us like kids but it is because we are. And we should just thank them for it, because these days will come off eventually and before we know it, the fun and crazy days will be over, then it's time for us to be in their shoes. But while that is still not happening and we are still in the prime of our lives, our youth, let's just live to its fullest. Jesus, I'm so sorry for the cliche. But seriously, dudes and bitches (I meant the 'b' word in a good, fun way so give me a pass please), we are young, so LIVE!
When I woke up yesterday morning, I had zero plan/plans for the day. For someone who's been stuck in front of her laptop like the only life she has is online, I felt kinda sad about it. But it's okay, I thought so, since it's only Independence Day. No pressure. So I spent the morning killing time in a hopeless place until I got a text message from my long-time-no-see bestfriend who asked me if I can come to Manila to go with her, her siblings, and her cousins to this French film festival in Shangri-La. I said enough pretensions, because I have been really feeling alone and useless since the last day of my internship, so, yes! Boy I was excited.
Here it is, the Citi-Rustan's French Film Festival 2012.
The Embassy of France to the Philippines and the Alliance Française de Manille, as part of the French cultural program, Francophil, are proud to present the 17th edition of the French Film Festival. While the French invented cinema when the Lumière brothers held the first public screening using the cinématographe in 1895, contemporary French films continue to entertain, inspire, amaze, and provoke audiences all over the world with stories of human interest that tackle a wide range of relevant social issues... (For more info: http://www.ambafrance-ph.org/Citi-Rustan-s-French-Film-Festival)
While I have heard of these international film festivals at Shang, I never had the time to be at one of its film festivals until yesterday. (FYI,) as part of my language elective in the university, I took up French lessons during my entire junior year so I get really excited everytime I get to watch French films/movies wherein the actors really speak French. But since yesterday was Philippine Independence Day, the event organizers opted to show films that were not really French but somehow had connections with France by perhaps being an entry to a film festival in France or by being made by Filipino filmmakers who have been affiliated with the said country, and all at the same time nationalistic (Happy Independence Day, Philippines! - Sincerely, France)
So yes, I was a virgin at this occasion but I have a lot in store for you guys about my 'Little' & 'Au revoir Philippe' experience.
Little (Plot)
Little is a story about the 'blossoming of a provincial boy', as I put in the words of the director (I'll save my comments for later). His mother dies during his birth, so Little is raised solely by his aging and hard-working father who owns and farms a small property of land in the province. At his young age, he is already very candid about his gay sexuality yet his father, who isn't so hostile about it anyway, still lets him go through the stages that of a normal boy. For example, he goes through the painful stage of circumcision and is left with the duty of farming their land. With the help of his guy bestfriend, Itok, he is able to go through with life. It is also Itok who convinces Little to go to the city with him since he thinks life in the province is dull and boring. But Little's father is opposed to this idea and warns Little that he never can return home if he leaves. Little takes off to the city with Itok and Itok promises Little that someday he will buy him a return ticket home. Because Little is a bright boy, he finds a nice job at a hardware store while Itok drowns himself in vices such as alcohol and drugs. Meanwhile, Little meets Bingo, a street-orphan whom he later brought home with him to the province. Little experiences the life in the city, saves enough money, continues to write to his father, and also endures the ill-tempered and wrecked Itok who steals his money just when a letter from his father arrives asking him to come already. Little comes home to a dead father. He and Itok reconciles and Bingo lives with him.
(Commentary)
'Blossoming of a provincial boy'
Really, blossoming? So that's what the pot of (blossoming) flower was all about. Frankly, the blossoming part was not well-justified in the film. Little's character was consistently flat (yeah, I meant it to be redundant for emphasis). He was the same kind, generous, naive, and simple person throughout the entire film, through whatever endeavor he went through. If his character did really blossom, then it should be round right? But no. Who Little was in the beginning was also who Little was in the end.
A Gay film?
Not. At. All. Usually, when it's Indie and it's a gay film, the arc, the narrative, and the take of the story is predictable. Nudity, sex, foul language, you name it. But this film didn't have those components at all. Sure there were some awkward 'gay' moments (which I will explain in the next paragraph) and the constant teasing of gay people by society, but they really were of nothing serious. My concern is that, I and the director of this film seem to be heading at a different direction because according to her, yes, it is a gay film. So now I'm confused. I hope some who have watched the film would come across my blog and leave their insightful comments.
Comedy & the Subtlety
The film was light. Whatever ephemeral emotions I felt while watching it, they were all very light, even the gay thing, I think. Now I understand why it wouldn't sink in to me that it the film was gay because the movie is a comedy (and again, that claim was from the director). Well I would believe her since I admit that the film really had a pretty good sense of humor, but let me say this again, it was very light. 'Little', as in little emotion?
Nonetheless, I really did enjoy the film. Despite my commentary, I do like the film. ☺
Au revoir Philippe
This film is 'experimental and a social commentary.'
I couldn't agree more. And it really was a good film. According to its director, she never intended to make such film. The film was merely lifted from collected clips and footages when she was in France for a film festival. That part was really amazing. Like, wow, the universe has conspired for her and the result was remarkable.
Now this is really embarrassing, but honesty is the best policy so let me say this anyway: I only realized that the film was about Filipinos leaving the Philippines when it was revealed that Luz was Luzviminda. Right then I knew that Philippe meant Philippines (so Au revoir Philippe = Good bye Philippines) and that the film was about OFWs who keep searching for whatever they are searching for abroad but no matter how beautiful it is there, they will eventually come back here in the Philippines because this is their real home, and this is where there roots are.
It was really a good film. I would watch it again.
An open forum or discussion was held after the screening and the audience were asked to participate in the form of raising questions, citing their commentaries, or simply showing their praise or appreciation of the films. The director (also producer, writer, etc) of the two films, Ms. Sigrid Andrea Bernardo was personally present in the event to respond to the viewers', well, responses.
Ms. Ingrid Andrea Bernardo ended her thank you speech with this, "Happy Independence Day! Cheers to Independent Films!"
Now here goes the photos.
The screening schedule.
Because there weren't any good tarps or posters where we could take a picture in remembrance of the film fest.
Fiel, 'Little', Me, ate Nika, and our EUPHORIC SMILES (or is it just you, Fiel? ☺)
'Little' and the boys who have little... smiles. ☺
Had our early dinner at Tokyo Tokyo. The boys were so hungry they wanted 'unlimited' rice even if the girls only wanted a light meal. This is why I hate eating out with boys. I loved their company though, they were hilarious!
Now everybody's ready for the camera.
They have it. (Have what?) Sense of humor. And it's insane! They made me laugh like crazy.
I just love it when boys have such good sense of humor. These are great kids.
How sweet is this photo. With Fiel's little brother.
I used to know him way back high school.. and look now, he's in college! I am getting old indeed.
I don't belong in this photo. ☺
To Bem (their youngest sibling who is in Bicol), you are so blessed to have them as your siblings.
Know that you are loved, always.
Mirrors are more fun in the Philippines!
(This was before I had the guts to ask one of the waitresses to take a picture of us, look at the next one)
Oh the height. Screw the height. I'm cute this way. LOL.
Have you met.. my bestfriend? This lady is certainly one the most wonderful people I've met in my whole life.
Our (best)friendship is something I will always treasure. My life has been so much better since I met her (in high school). Call me lucky indeed.
And since it was Independence Day, there were free rides in the MRT and the bus which I rode way back home still had good seats left. Boy that was easy commute on my way back. I really had a great time!
In the physical world, everything is weighed according to its value, whether he or she is a human being or a non-living piece of matter. Without value, everything is just plain material - no depth, no meaning, no soul. But when value is added, things suddenly matter and people start to care and pay attention. So here's a fundamental question: what now are the things that we value? Smartphones and other high-end gadgets? Social activities such as social networking, partying, merry-making, and more social networking? How about school? How much percentage does it actually take part in our socially-preoccupied lives? Indeed we are entirely a different generation now. How do we explain ourselves in using the social media for our endless rants about life, particularly school? What excuses do we have to say for our lazy asses? Do we even care anymore? Are we really contented of being insignificant than being scholarly productive individuals, for example? An Education is probably what we need.
An Education is a coming-of-age story about Jenny Mellor (played by the very pretty and adorable Carey Mulligan), a bright young schoolgirl who is set to pursuing her dream of going to Oxford but whose life changes upon the arrival of David Goldman (played by Peter Saarsgard) in her life. He is a man over twice Jenny's age and whose charm she couldn't resist because of his fine choice in music, his maroon-colored Bristol car (a very rare one at that time), and the fact that David took her to different social and cultural activities which our young heroine very much enjoyed. Jenny embraces the life for which David and his two constant companions, Danny and Helen, have made her experience and eventually she falls in love and enters a relationship with him albeit finding out the truth about where David and his friends get their money. David asks Jenny to marry him, she accepts it and drops out of school. But before they get married, young Jenny finds out the truth that David is a family man. He drives away for good. Meanwhile, it is time for Jenny's redemption. She goes back to her old school and asks the headmistress if she could repeat her final year of study but was rejected. So she turns to her old teacher, Ms. Stubbs (Olivia Williams), who is glad that Jenny wouldn't throw her life anymore so she helps her out to re-learn what she missed out on school and to prepare for Oxford as well. Jenny was accepted and went to Oxford to read English books (hey it was in the 1960s and you know where women stand back then).
The movie tells us that education comes two-fold. One is formal and scholarly (one that we can only learn in schools) and the other one is an informal kind (one that we learn beyond school). While Jenny Mellor was too busy running away with the perks of the 'socially and culturally-rich life' out there, school, on the other hand, was running out of time on her. Jenny realized it too late that education runs on a definite time and that it waits for no one. Your degree won't chase you, because it is your obligation to do so. Education may be a right, but you must also fight and prove your worth for it.
A well-deserved ending
Now we know that young Jenny must learn her lessons, and it's gotta be the hard way. People at her school warned her about the importance of education but she rejected them and their advises for an early marriage to a man who was not totally honest about his civil status. Events may have taken place a little too swiftly in the story, especially with how David swayed Jenny and her parents' belief on the importance of education. I thought that it would be a downhill slope from there, that there has to be a bigtime consequence for their actions. Although I admit that Jenny has my empathy since I understand where her vulnerability was coming from. So I was very pleased with how the filmmakers unfurled the ending. It was balanced and just. After the scene where David chickened out when Jenny found out that he's married, there were no more bullshit in the film. Jenny and her parents faced their fate boldly by setting things right. It was the right and a well-deserved ending. And I must say, the casts' acting was so fine and really of the right amount. Bravo.
Corruption of minor? Incest? Exploitation?
Sometimes numbers really do count. Given that David's age (34) is over twice as that of Jenny's (16), do you think it was a little disturbing that there were some explicit scenes in the movie such as the kiss in the car, the love-making in the bed (it only involved kissing and caressing though), and the part when old David asked young Jenny to show her breasts? I am not a conservative, I'm just being open to possible reactions. Actually, for me, Jenny's character was not exploited in the film at all. Despite her weakness and vulnerability, she remained a bright, strong, and calm lady. I loved her character.
"Nobody does anything worth doing without a degree"
... the old and wise headmistress said. Some people are lucky that they succeed in life even without a college degree. But that's why it's called luck, it won't happen to everybody. One cannot get a college degree in college without working hard for it. And if one does not work hard enough in his or her life, he or she must not also expect a pay off. We reap what we sow.
"There are no shortcuts"
Let me quote Helen Keller, "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." The ugly part about life is that it is so hard. But we must also remember that life also goes on and things just pass through. This is the beauty of life, there always are second chances as long as there is hope. In the movie, Jenny was given a glimpse of the life she always wanted and dreamed of. She easily got accustomed to it and was ready to give up everything to be with the man who gave her that kind of life. But Jenny didn't realize at first that that kind of life also had to be earned. There are no shortcuts to the good life. One must earn his place in it, and that could only be done with an education.
Retrieving what was lost and second chances
Lucky was Jenny Mellor because after her big mess with David Goldman, with her old school, and her future at Oxford, she was able to salvage herself, with the help of course of Ms. Stubbs and her parents. We only realize the worth of something when they're gone or lost. It's not impossible to retrieve them, but it's tough because of the price we have to pay for it, but it can be done, like how Jenny Mellor did it. And remember, do not blow a second chance.
Finally, I've crossed this one out from my bucket list:
ü Watch a black and white movie.
I am so proud of this new experience. After watching the movie, I said to myself, "Why did I watch this movie just now in my 19 (almost 20) years of existence?" Now I know I have to try watching more classics because ironic this may be, movies from the 80's and 90's are actually more refreshing, not to mention their brilliance and originality. Today's movies seem to revolve around the same old plot, with the exception of some of course. Now, enough of chick flicks and rom-coms with shallow plots. I highly recommend you guys to watch this one, it's worth 2 hours of your wonderful life.
Indeed, it is a wonderful, wonderful life.
This movie made me realize that each of us is just as wonderful as life itself is.
(At least in general or in total sum)
We shouldn't let our problems, worries, sorrows, and pain burden us
when we can choose love and happiness instead.
Remember that we can always choose a better life. Let's make the best choice because we can!
A line to remember for everyone: "No man is a failure who has friends."
It is true that the real treasures in our lives are our families and friends.
We shouldn't let ourselves drown in material things, because they just come and go.
But people who love us truly will always be around, like our guardian angels.
Help will always come when we need it. We have to just learn how to trust.
"Clarence: You see George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it away? "
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