Cine Europa 2012

It was a weekday, so the usual crowd of shrieking youths was nowhere in sight. Most of the people watching were either in between jobs or retired. They were chatty. Not in a noisy kind of chatty, but chatty as in they're open to talking to people they've only met for the first time. A complete stranger glanced at me and smiled. I think he wanted to chat. I smiled back.

Inside the theater, an old guy sat beside me. He was very friendly. He called me "Bhradd." I took it as a compliment since it sounded like "Brad Pitt." He kept on talking. I kept on nodding. I was hoping he wouldn't ask me questions. But he did. He asked me where I work. I can't talk, so I got my cellphone and typed in "Eastwood." He said, "Oh." Then he went on talk mode again. 

The movie showing was In a Better World (Hævnen), a Danish domestic melodrama. Some of the scenes were set in Africa. I think that struck a nerve cause the guy beside me started to do a running commentary. Full volume. People started glaring at me. Wait, why me? My mouth's close. I can't even speak. 

I have a DVD of Senna, so no need to line up for that one. I'll be hustling for Atmen (Breathing), though. More than anything, I'm dreading the weekend crowd. It's going to be a long day.

Essential Actors: Cinemalaya 2012

For Gibson (Ang Nawawala), it's pointless speaking unless you really have something good to say. For several years he kept his silence, biding his time, waiting for that perfect moment. 

There's no one more perfect to play Gibson than Dominic Roco: an actor with talent and charisma flowing through his veins. His twin brother, Felix, had his big break three years ago with Pepe Diokno's Engkwentro. 

The table has turned for Dominic. With Ang Nawawala, 2012 is his for the taking. 

Thai actor Ananda Everingham hardly speaks a word of Tagalog. Director Adolf Alix, on the other hand, has a strong liking for long, wordless sequences. With Kalayaan, a match made in celluloid heaven was made. Alix showcases Everingham's depth and maturity as an actor, proving he's more than just a pin-up boy for needy girls. 

It's amazing watching Everingham do so much without saying anything. His eyes convey what words could not. 

Cinemalaya 2012

Cinemalaya 2012 started with a maelstrom of rants and barbed criticisms. MNL 143 director Emerson Reyes raised hell over casting disagreements with the festival organizers. No compromise between the two parties was reached. MNL 143 was disqualified from Cinemalaya and festival director Nestor Jardin eventually resigned. Although it's a draw, both parties suffered severely. The real losers are the viewing public. When will we get to watch MNL 143?

Another New Breed finalist that won't be seeing the light of day is director Eduardo Roy Jr.'s Lola Igna: a comedy/drama about an old woman who confronts her mortality after an unexpected, eerie premonition.

Taking the slots vacated by MNL 143 and Lola Igna in the festival's New Breed section are two coming of age movies: Marie Jamora's music-driven Ang Nawawala (about a displaced boy searching for his voice in a country he hardly fits in) and Gino Santos' The Animals (a high school drama dealing with teenage hedonism and heartache).

Mainstream actors dominate both the New Breed and Directors Showcase categories. Dennis Trillo (Ang Katiwala), Thai sensation Ananda Everingham (Kalayaan) and Eddie Garcia (Bwakaw) will each have a movie in the festival.

Garcia leads the cast of Bwakaw, Jun Lana's sentimental tale of a jaded man who forms an unlikely bond with a stray dog. There's a good chance that the eighty-three-year-old acting dynamo will win this year's Best Actor trophy. It will rain fire and brimstone if he doesn't.

The director of Niño (2011) and his muse make a strong comeback in this year's New Breed section. Director Loy Arcenas' second film, REquieme!, is a far departure from his previous effort. Arcenas reunites with Cinemalaya Best Supporting Actress Shamaine Buencamino in a black comedy that involves four dead guys, two wakes and the infinitely endearing Lilia Cuntapay.

Coco Martin returns to Cinemalaya after several years of absence, proving that mainstream movies haven't soften his affection for independent filmmaking. In Emmanuel Palo’s Santa Niña, Martin plays the grieving father of a young daughter whose body was preserved after being covered by lahar,

After years of doing several pedestrian movies for Star Cinema and Regal,  the 30-year-old actor's return to independent filmmaking is a welcome respite. An oasis, finally, has appeared.

Cannes 2012

Other than its Marilyn Monroe promotional poster, this season's Cannes Film Festival is low-key. Heading the jury for the main competition is Nanni Moretti, an Italian filmmaker and actor known for his Palme d'Or-winning film, The Son's Room (2001). He heads a disparate panel of judges made up of independent filmmakers (Andrea Arnold, Alexander Payne), Euro eye candies (Diane Kruger, Ewan McGregor) and a flamboyant French designer known for legitimizing pointed cone bras back in 1990 (Jean Paul Gaultier).

The jury will have a field day choosing from among a staggering number of new films including Carlos Reygadas' Post Tenebras Lux, David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis (seen below) and Walter Salles' On the Road.

Gaining momentum from last year's prize-winning film, The Tree of Life, the United States dominates the main competition with five nominations. Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom, Lee Daniels' The Paperboy, Andrew Dominik's Killing Them Softly, John Hillcoat's Lawless and Jeff Nichols' Mud are all vying for the festival's Palme d'Or.

Thirty-three year old Nichols won last year's Cannes Critics Week Grand Prize for his apocalyptic thriller, Take Shelter. Mud is his third film.

Previous Palme d'Or winners, all of them notable auteurs, bolster this year's main competition lineup. Michael Haneke returns after a three-year Cannes hiatus with Love, an intimate domestic drama; celebrated Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami crosses boundaries with Like Someone in Love, a searing moral drama shot in Japanese; Cannes darling Ken Loach returns to familiar territory with The Angels' Share, his 11th film to be featured in the festival; and Romanian director Cristian Mungiu (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days) tests the limits of friendship in Beyond the Hills.

After years of being nominated in the Un Certain Regard category, idiosyncratic Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo finally gets a chance at snagging the coveted Palme d'Or. His new film, In Another Country (pictured below), is quirky cool. For some strange reason, French actress Isabelle Huppert is in it. To top it off, she gets to play three roles—all named Anne.

Venice Film Festival 2011

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (UK/France) 
Director Tomas Alfredson Cast Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy Plot An agent is forced out of retirement when a Soviet mole is discovered in the MI6. Why watch? Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is directed by Swedish filmmaker Tomas Alfredson, the guy behind the artsy vampire flick, Let the Right One In (2008). First impression Impeccable. First rate thriller for the thinking man.  

Shame (UK) 

Director Steve McQueen Cast Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, Nicole Beharie Plot A rabid nympho goes bonkers when his rebel sister shows up. First Impression Dark. Disturbing. Edgy. Expect a seamless screenplay by McQueen and stirring images by frequent collaborator, Sean Bobbitt (Hunger).


Carnage (US/France) 
Director Roman Polanski Cast Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz Plot Sparks fly when two sets of parents do a meet and greet. What's the 411? The film is based on Yasmina Reza's play, God of Carnage. X-factor Kate Winslet. This woman has spunk. Memorable line "I'm glad our son kicked the shit out of your son! I wipe my ass with your human rights!" First impression A fine balance of good direction and superb acting; memorable


Alps (Greece) 
Director Yorgos Lanthimos Cast Aris Servetalis, Johnny Vekris, Aggeliki Papoulia Plot While Dogtooth (2009) is about deception through fabrication, Alps is its antithesis. Go figure. What's the 411? The script wasn't followed rigidly during filming. New scenes were added and actors improvised occasionally. Why watch? It's been two long years since Dogtooth. We want a Yorgos Lanthimos movie. Now. First impression Right balance of quirk, humor and art cred; sly and disarming 


Wuthering Heights (UK)
Director Andrea Arnold Cast Kaya Scodelario, Nichola Burley, James Howson Plot A retelling of Emily Brontë's classic novel of love gone wrong. Why watch? It's not everyday that we see a gritty, contemporary filmmaker do a romantic period drama. What's the 411? Michael Fassbender and Ed Westwick were among the actors considered for the role of Heathcliff. Arnold eventually broke conventions by settling for a colored actor (James Howson). First impression It looks believable, "real" and unrehearsed. It is never too sentimental. Thank God.

Cinemalaya 2011

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank

Category New Breed (in competition) Director Marlon Rivera Cast Eugene Domingo, JM de Guzman, Kean Cipriano Plot A parody of independent filmmaking in the Philippines Essential actress The goddess has landed. Eugene Domingo shows tyros how it's done. Scene-stealer None, Eugene slayed them all. Verdict Next to Zombadings, it's the most commercially viable film in the festival.

Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa

Category New Breed (in competition) Director Alvin Yapan Cast Jean Garcia, Paulo Avelino, Rocco Nacino Plot Love made more poignant by dance and poetry Verdict Notable for cinematographer Arvin Viola's heartbreaking images, Sayaw is visually engaging.

Niño

Category New Breed (in competition) Director Loy Arcenas Cast Fides Cuyugan Asensio, Shamaine Buencamino, Tony Mabesa Plot Family members bicker and grudges resurface when the patriarch of the house suffers from a stroke. Memorable scene The dinner confronatation sequence (can of worms is an understatement) Scene-stealer Actor Joaquin Valdez's Reinhard is a scorcher. Verdict Strong contender for Best Picture

Cuchera

Category New Breed (in competition) Director Joseph Isarel Laban Cast Maria Isabel Lopez, Simon Ibarra, Paolo Rivero Plot A night in the life of novice drug mules Shock value High. Full frontal? Check. Drugs? Check. Okra as a lubricant? Check. Verdict Riveting, but the ending feels rushed

Bisperas
Category Directors Showcase (in competition) Director Jeffrey Jeturian Cast Tirso Cruz III, Raquel Villavicencio, Julia Clarete Plot A family unravels as wounds open and grudges resurface on Christmas eve. Scene-stealer Julia Clarete shines in a role that fits her like second skin. Verdict Tight editing and good ensemble acting make it worthwhile.

Busong

Category Directors Showcase (in competition) Director Auraeus Solito Cast Alessandra de Rossi, Clifford Bañagale, Dax Alejandro Plot Four tales of death and rebirth interweave seamlessly in Palawan. What's the 411? The first of a planned trilogy, Busong is Solito's most personal movie yet. Verdict Inspired, lyrical and technically accomplished; one of the year's most relevant films

Boundary

Category NETPAC (in competition) Director Benito Bautista Cast Ronnie Lazaro, Raymond Bagatsing, Edwin Pamanian Plot A night in the life of a cabbie and the passenger that changed his life Essential actor Raymond Bagatsing shines, but it's Ronnie Lazaro who brings the house down. Verdict The festival's must-watch movie

Gayuma

Category NETPAC (in competition) Director Alvin Yapan Cast Mercedes Cabral, Kalil Almonte Plot A girl's affection for the village sacristan is tested by faith and circumstance. What's the 411? Made on a shoestring budget, Gayuma is Alvin Yapan's ode to his roots. Memorable scene Delfin (Kalil Almonte) fleeing from a floating, talking Sto. Niño Verdict Bad acting and jerky camera movements ruin an otherwise unique, interesting movie.

Paglipad ng Anghel
Category Special Screening (out of competition) Director Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr. Cast Sid Lucero, LJ Moreno, Christian Vasquez Plot After helping an elderly, angel wings grow on the back of a young man. Acting revelation Sid Lucero whips up a storm as a man in doubt. Verdict Far from perfect, but charming nonetheless.

Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington
Category Closing film (out of competition) Director Jade Castro Cast Mart Escudero, Janice de Belen, Eugene Domingo Plot A gay themed zombie flick with a twist Essential actor Mart Escudero gives a career-defining performance as Remington, a hapless boy on the verge of gaydom. Verdict A blockbuster in the making. Insanely funny.

Cinema One Originals Film Festival 2008

Yanggaw dominated the 2008 Cinema One Originals Film Festival, winning the Audience Choice Award, Best Director (Richard Somes), Best Actor (Ronnie Lazaro), Best Supporting Actor (Joel Torre), Best Supporting Actress (Tetchie Agbayani), Best Editing (Borgy Torre), and Best Sound (Joey Santos and Eduardo Velasquez).

Alon, a brooding love story shot in Zambales, won three awards. It took home Best Actor (Mark Gil tied with Lazaro), Best Actress (Charee Pineda), and Best Musical Score (Leujim Martinez).

Kolorete (a period drama written by Sherad Sanchez) was left pecking at scraps; it won Best Production Design (Wilfredo Calderon).

Sanchez, nevertheless, had the last laugh. Although his film, Imburnal—a cinematic tour de force set in Matina Aplaya, Davao—didn’t exceed the number of awards won by Yanggaw, it took home the festival’s most coveted prize: Best Picture. It also won Best Screenplay (for Sanchez) and Best Cinematography (John Torres, Joel Geolamen, Mark Limbaga).

This year’s nominees—Yanggaw, Imburnal, Alon, Kolorete, Dose, MotorCYCLE, and UPCAT—surpassed last year's entries in terms of scope and quality.
Grace Alfonso of U.P., Lito Zulueta of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, filmmaker Brillante Mendoza (Serbis), actress Eugene Domingo, and director Jeffrey Jeturian (Kubrador) are this year's jury.

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Cinema One Originals will be screening at Robinsons Galleria
from December 3-16, 2008