INDIE FILM DIRECTORS INSPIRE STUDENTS
By RACHEL C. BARAWID
One of the highlights of the recent 10-day Cinemalaya Cinco Philippine Independent Film Festival, was “Sine Taktakan,’’ a forum where students and young professionals get to know details about the making of the feature films competing in the festival, as well as what directors want to impart to their audience through their movies. Although most of the 10 full-length and 10 short films that competed this year mirror the harsh realities of life in this country, there were also feel-good flicks that targeted the younger crowd.
Director Alvin Yapan says his film “Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe,” which revolves around the story of a woman caught between an abusive husband and an impotent lover, is all about making a choice. “Oppression for me is really to rob a person of his capacity to choose. At the end of the film, it’s all about choice,” Yapan says. In his no-dialogue short film “Ugat Sa Lupa” which dramatizes the hardships of a family living on an island bereft of water, director Ariel Reyes says he wants the audience to interact with the symbolic film and its characters in their own terms or understanding. Reyes also advises film students that making a non-dialogue film is a good option if they have limited budget. He says one can make a good film and convey his message without any dialogue. “Latus” director John Paul Seniel, who is also a TV news reporter, made the short film to advocate for the passage of the Anti-Corporal Punishment Bill now pending in Congress. He wants to raise awareness and support for the child victims of physical abuse not just in his hometown in Davao City but all over the country.
Gay Domingo, one of the writers and producer of “Sanglaan” says the short film speaks about redemption. “Pag may sinanla, may tutubusin. It’s about hope and redeeming yourself after putting something at stake. Whatever you think after watching, hopefully you’ll feel positive and free. The pawnshop is very enclosed so once you go out you feel so free. People who work in pawnshops say that when it closed they felt free, parang nakawala sa rehas,” Domingo explains.
On a more down-to-earth level, Domingo adds that they also wanted to show what happens in a pawnshop, the process of pawning jewelry, the sangla, remata, at pagtubos. The film also wants to underscore both the good and bad points of pawning.
“We want to convey the message that it’s okay to pawn especially if it helps get you through the next payday. Wag ka mahiya kung nagsasanla ka lalo na kung pantawid mo ito sa gutom, sa pagsuporta sa pamilya mo kung wala ka pang pera o suweldo,” points out Domingo.
“People always blame other people about what’s happening in their lives, what’s happening in this country etc. Yung turuan ng turuan. I want my audience to realize the repercussions of this negative characteristic of the Filipino and hopefully learn to change it,” Seña says. Director Jerrold Tarog says his movie “Mangatyanan’’ is about forgiveness “Its underlying message is actually about forgiving the country and accepting how broken it is so we can move on,” he adds. Meanwhile, director Alfonso Borgy Torre III says “Bonsai,” which won Best Short film is a feel-good love movie that many can enjoy and relate to. It simply encourages one to go after the love of his life and not regret it even if he ends up losing her.
HOW TO’S
Most directors in the forum say they just really want to say something in their respective movies.
“Work with what you have. If you really want to be a filmmaker, mag production assistant ka in any movie. Mag Google ka sa Internet kung saan ka pwede maghanap ng funding na nagbibigay ng grants. Ask CCP or any filmmaker. There are many opportunities out there for young creative people, you will find them if you want to look for them,” advises Domingo. With the lowering cost of filmmaking, it has also become more accessible especially to aspiring directors with limited production budget. According to the directors, the availability of many websites has made it easier for young filmmakers today to dabble in movies. People can use simple hand-held cameras and even their own camera phone and the Internet in learning to make films.
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