FlixJoy: 50th MMFF (2024)

Disclaimer: I am not a professional and credible film critic. Hence, the following passage is from my own opinion towards the films and solely based on my personal enjoyment.

The much awaited 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival has been ignited, wherein several audiences gathered on the premiere day dated last December 25 in celebration for it's 50th anniversary. Around 10 films have been distributed on cinemas nationwide. In line with this, I was able to watch three films, in which I am excited to talk about! 

Hindi na rin po ako maglalagay ng rating, sa kadahilanang ang bottom line naman neto ay nakabase pa rin sa mga tao kung bibigyan nila ng pagkakataon na panuorin o hindi. If I may add as well, that the following writings may contain spoilers, so read at your own risk! 

1. Green Bones, Dir. Zig Dulay 

Originally, my reason for watching the film is because of the OST used was NYEBE sang by SB19. But it changed when I got curious upon seeing the trailer, I was eager to watch it on big screen. Masaya pa ako nung nalaman ko na isa sa mga sumulat ng movie ay ang paborito kong scriptwriter, ang National Artist na si Sir Ricky Lee, kasama niya ang nagwagi na scriptwriter na sumulat ng Firefly at nanalo nung nakaraang 2023 MMFF, si Ms. Angeli Atienza. Ang namuno naman sa pagdirekto ng palabas ay ang kilalang direktor sa likod ng Firefly at Maria Clara at Ibarra. 

The storyline revolves around the penal colony, showing us the two main characters, Domingo Zamora (Dennis Trillo) and Xavier Gonzaga (Ruru Madrid). Zamora was sentenced to imprisonment for the murder of his sister and his niece. So, he was incarcerated from correctional facility then transferred into prison facility situated in an island far from the civilization. Zamora committed to serve the portion of his sentence through parole, he adheres in following the rules inside the prison, together with the friends he has found, quietly on scheduled and restricted life.

But everything is about to change, when Gonzaga, a correction officer is assign into the facility. A man who has a firm belief, tom him people who committed murder deserves no freedom and second chances. That's how he sees Zamora when he knew about his sentence, and he is determined to prevent him from being released in the prison, whatever it takes for him to stop it, he will do it. 

Maganda ang simula ng takbo ng story, ni hindi na ako umalis sa upuan ko sa buong oras ng palabas. Napansin ko rin ang inclusion ng film, because of their appreciation towards the deaf and mute community. Magagaling din ang mga batikang aktor na gumanap sa mga karakter. Maiinis ka dahil maiintindihan mo na ang politika ay hindi kailanman nawawala kahit pa nasa loob ka nang kulungan. 

May pagkakataon na ibabato sa'yo ang mga bagay dahil alam nilang capable kang gawin 'yun, kahit sa totoo lang naman pinipilit mong magbago. Sino nga naman ang maniniwala kung mayroon kang nakaraang bumahid sa'yo nang mahabang panahon? And so he has to live with it, as the painted evil man who murdered his family. 

Towards the climax, doon ko nakita ang artistry ni Sir Ricky Lee, alam kong siya 'yun base sa mga librong nabasa kong isinulat niya. For me, he gives justice in showing the sides of the characters he has written, especially when the revelation was slowly being shown on us. 'Yung tahimik kong itsura, napalitan ng luha na unti-unting pumapatak sa aking pisngi. 

The mellow music being inserted on the specific scene is an icing on the cake. Well utilized ang paggamit nila ng Nyebe kaya mas lalo akong nadala ng palabas. 

All in all, I truly know that the criteria who won for the recent MMFF awards night were all deserving for their spot. 

2. Isang Himala, Dir. Pepe Diokno

Walang Himala! Who doesn't know of this famous cinematic line? Kumbaga isa na itong simbolismo kung gaano kasikat ang taong nagsabi neto, walang iba kundi si Ms. Nora Aunor! Hango mula sa iskrip na isinulat ng National Artist  na si Sir Ricky Lee at ipinalabas noong 1982 mula sa direksyon ng batikang direktor na si Ishmael Bernal. 

Mula sa naunang palabas, inihango ang musical-play cinema, base sa 2018 theater version. Ito ay direksyon ni Pepe Diokno co-wrote kasama si Sir Ricky Lee. Gamit nila ang musika na isinulat ni Mr. Vincent De Jesus na kinanta ng mga natatanging nagbibidahang theater actors. 

Hindi ako nagdalawang isip na isama sa to-watch movie ko para sa taong ito ang Isang Himala. Magmula kasi ng napanuod ko 'yung Walang Himala, ay todo na ang appreciation ko para sa old films.  

The movie follows the place of Cupang, a town in drought, believed to have been cursed because the people once drove the leper away from their town. The story began when Elsa (Aicelle Santos), who is silently walking on the hill, have miraculously seen the apparition of Virgin Mary. She told her sighting on her adoptive mother, Saling (Bituin Escalante) who was in disbelief and dismiss her remarks, so she took Elsa to the priest to confess what she saw, but like she it was also shunned by the priest. 

The words travel so fast, the town folks started believing in the miracles of Elsa when they found her healing the sick child. She became a healer which makes her popularity grow, Orly (Ezra David) was assigned to cover the story, with his camera he traveled to see the miracle on his own eyes. In which the story unfold a revelation for a truth about the healing phenomenon. 

Sa dalawang oras na pelikula ay napansin ko na may inalis na ibang eksena o may nadagdag na tila wala doon sa original na pelikula. May isang eksena na napaluha ako dahil alam ramdam ko ang pagkakaiba ng panahon noon sa ngayon, kung paanong may mga sistema na hindi pa rin tuluyang nag-iiba. 

The movie deserves recognition. Mahusay ang mga aktor na gumanap sa mga karakter. Paborito ko siguro na kanta rito ay ang Gawin Mo Akong Sining, iba kasi 'yung pagmamakaawa ni Elsa sa parte na 'yun. At nang marating nang dulo ng pelikula, ay nanatili sumandal na ako sa kinauupuan ko at namangha sa cinematic shot. Hanggang sa nang matapos ito, ay nagtayuan ang lahat upang magpalakpakan. 

3. And  The Breadwinner Is..., Dir. Jun Robles Rana

Until how long are you willing to sacrifice everything for your family? 

The film is surely heavy promoted to show the perspective of breadwinners, but of course with Vice Ganda in it, comedy will always be present on her films. The film is directed by Jun Robles Rana, who is behind the movie Die Beautiful. 

The start of the film showed us the life of Bambi (Vice Ganda) living as and OFW, working hard for multiple jobs to save up for her family, and building her dream house for them. She tirelessly work from day and night to fulfill that goal. So when her contract has ended, she finally decided to retired and go back to the Philippines. Bringing with her the huge expectation of enjoying the fruit of her labor. 

But all of this was shattered when she realized that all the update she received where lies formulated by her brother Biboy (Jhong Hilario) and his family. Bambi is in shambles finding out that there is no beautiful home waiting for her. And so that begins the twist of her life. 

Then, her sister Baby (Eugene Domingo) gone from a longtime and came back. The story of Bambi's life became even more harder, as a breadwinner all her life, she carries a huge weight on her shoulders that her family never seem to understood. 

The monologue part was a little dragging for me, but I figured out later on, how many times do we even lend our ears for the breadwinners who does everything to fill the cup of everybody when theirs were empty? Sino nga ba ang tunay na breadwinner ng pamilya? 'Yun bang nagsakripisyo? Tumakbo palayo? O 'yung takot sumubok kahit na natatalo? 

And MaPa being used is quite a criminal for me, it tug something on my heart that I actually cried when it played in the scene. 

                                        

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All in all, the films are great to watch. Hindi na lang ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataon pang panuorin ang ibang film, baka sa susunod ay subukan ko na lamang sa susunod. Masaya ako na may maraming Pinoy ang tumatangkilik pa rin sa pelikula Pilipino. Nawa'y ito ay  magbukas pa ng maraming pintuan para ipamalas ng mga Pilipino ang creative movies sa sinehan.