The Horrific Beauty of Black Beret 2013 (1st Semester)

Author's Note: Black Beret is a semestral film showing event held by the University of the Philippines Film Institute that features the various productions of the Directing Class. The film "Umami" would not be included in this review as the author is one of the producers of the film. Many of the images of this film were taken from Mr. Peter Vargas' blog "http://celluloidletters.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/the-best-of-black-beret-2013/"

Dasal sa Dugong Palad (Directed by: David Ignacio)

Dasal sa Dugong Palad is a film that mixes amazing dark infused cinematography work and an action-centric style of Directing. The film is about two soldiers who are stranded in the middle of a forest in a seemingly rebel filled Island. As much as it aimed to portray an interesting story with a twist, it was not able to deliver the shock that was supposed to turn the film's tone around the "revelation" of the protagonist's actual state.

However, the clear sense and style of the director was clearly exhibited in this film. The director was able to masterfully project his action sensibilities towards the acting of the two characters, in regards to the attitude they bring within the screen and the way they state their lines. Although there was a point in the film that the "swearing" lines of one of the characters becomes weary and redundant, this weakness is nonetheless recovered by the actor's exceptional facial expressions and spot on movements.

The cinematography of this film highly complimented the style of direction that this film took. The solemn, dramatic and dark movements of the camera and its grading infused into an action film gives it a certain kind of depth that enables to film to transcend its supposed intentions.

(4.5 / 7)

Dalaga na si Aubrey (Directed by: Baschia Mariano)

The realities on the tragedy on the politics of Love unfolding at such an early age. Dalaga na si Aubrey takes upon itself the task of presenting a cute and sweet story of young Love towards a young student and her older professor and transforms it into an exceptional discourse on the politics and tragedies of unrequited love and mistaken assumptions.

The cinematography of this was unassuming and exceptionally simple. The shots and the way that the characters were portrayed were very natural in such a way that allowed me to immerse myself around Aubrey's world. I was able to appreciate the natural and sweet acting of the child playing as Aubrey that, for me, portrayed a fairly accurate image of young, assuming and yet unrequited love. 

The film was sweet as it was tragic. Although Aubrey was able to move on with her failed attempt to spark a relationship with her professor, the film actually presented us an actual reality on the discrimination on expectations that society imposes upon age. Aubrey was forced to adjust, and work around a set of standards that has been pre-determined before she was born, and even though she would want to break free from this socially constructed impositions, she would be unable to do so...not yet...

(5 / 7)

Sanguine (Directed by: Koji Arboleda)

The tragedy of nature's soul and man's inability to recognize his self destruction. Sanguine is a film that allows the forest to speak as a character of its own. Sadly, I believe that the director should have tried to present the film in color. Although its depth, wonder and eerie sensibilities is beautifully exhibited in Black and White, I personally think that a lot of the location's beauty and magnificence was lost due to the absence of color. Although there is depth in Black and White, the richness of the green forest and darkness of red oozing blood was missed in this film.

Going beyond the value of aesthetics, the director was able to capture magnificently the actions of man as a catalyst that triggers the destruction of himself. With every strike of the "Balisong" upon the branches of the forest and the juxtaposition of the Forest Queen's screaming pain, captured my eyes and ears to the point of my skin feeling an actual sensation of knives skinning me bit by bit.

(5 / 7)

Alindangaw (Directed by: Rod Singh)

(NO IMAGE AVAILABLE YET: TO BE UPDATED)

A Musical representation of the marginalized and oppressed sector of society. Alindangaw is a magnificent film that was able to perfectly bring out its message. A message as clear as day that pierces the hearts of those who discriminates against other people. Alindangaw's ,although magnificently made, excessive use of music was counter productive on some scenes that may have required silence. Silence that would enable to audience to fully comprehend and immerse themselves to face that harsh realities on the ugliness of human individuals discriminating and ignoring the identity of their fellow human beings.

The production design and wardrobe of the main protagonist was visually appealing. If the goal of the production design is to alienate the character from the world that he is living in, then they have achieved their goal perfectly. There is a sense of being disconnected against the world and this has worked effectively to bring out a certain message to the audience.

Although, you could sometimes get the feeling of being indoctrinated and in a sense condemnation. As if the film is judging you and in itself marginalizing those people who hold an opinion, different from that of the film. This in turn feels like a belief is being "shoved down to your throat." However despite this action, the film was able to exhibit it's message beautifully and creatively.
(5.5 / 7)

Oras ng Paglisan (Directed by: Ian Bondoc)

The beauty of restrained emotions, perfectly expressed through subtlety. Oras ng Paglisan has masterfully shown us a powerful film without the use of cliches and exploding expressions. This film was able to provide us an inside look inside the politics and dynamics of a relationship that is about to end. The cinematography and placing of the actors worked hand in hand with a powerful script and a significant directorial sense of control. The director is indeed in control of his material and is able to masterfully and powerfully weave together series of actions, words and facial looks into a powerful message of constraint. Wherein the eyes of the characters screams the inevitable and caged souls that are waiting to come out. 

However the woman here, the way that I saw and understood, becomes the loser. As she is forced to endure a relationship with her husband, that she wants to be separated from, all for the sake of her son's well being. In the end, the woman becomes a sacrificial lamb, a martyr to make everything better and she just have to live with it. And I think this perfectly portrays the kind of patriarchal society that we live in, where the women themselves are not just enslaved by men, but rather enslaved by their own corrupted ideologies.  

(6 / 7)

Pitik Bulag (Directed by: Chad De Guzman)

Murder, death, darkness and uncertainties perfectly captured through a continuous 8 minute reel. Pitik Bulag is probably one of the best and masterfully directed films that I have ever seen. The director's ability to perfectly directly his characters, light the scene wonderfully and choreograph the camera movements stunningly is perhaps one of the many reasons that this film is wonderfully horrific.

Besides its intriguing story line and magnificent acting, the movement of the camera gave the film a certain depth that allowed the audience to be immersed inside the darkness and emptiness of the forest. The eerie eyes that seems to be watching all around the characters, the uncertainty of the younger brother to carry on with the task, plus the darkness of the theater all worked perfectly for this magnificent film. The suspense that the director was able to carry through till the end to the point of the younger brother's transformation is a wonderful and powerful way to end a story. Kudos!

(6.5 / 7)

Project Weekling (Directed by: JM Jamisola)

A comedy that pierces the heart and lets it bleed out while laughing at the situation it perceived as commendable. Director Jamisola's "Project Weekling" is probably the BEST short film on comedy that I have seen for a long time. His material is fresh and yet all too familiar for all of us. Young love, the dynamics of high school life and the ridiculousness of young people when it comes to catching the attention of those on whom they love. Jamisola's brand of comedy transcends and breaks the normal stereotypes that we usually impose upon comedy. The Director was masterfully in control of everything, from the acting, the story, the cinematography, the perfect editing...everything was magnificent. Like a majestic orchestra that started by capturing the people's attention and allowing them to ride the whole film like a roller...indeed it was BEAUTIFUL.

This is the kind of comedy that pierces, that hurts the deepest recesses of our hearts. Its not a pretentious film that attempts to bring forth a "deep message" nor a forced attempt to make the audience laugh with silly puns and such. Rather it was a film that perfectly captured the natural comedic antics of the human person, and how this antics and dynamics of love often lead to uncertainties, questions, rejections and hurt.

The ending of Project Weekling, wherein the director just allows the film to end silently, without distraction...therefore enabling the audience to fully breathe in the whole of the film was magnificent. It was a powerful and precise device that enabled the film to transcend BEYOND its surface as a "comedy."

Project Weekling for me is the BEST PICTURE for this Competition

Kudos!

(7/7)


-DGQ