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Edinburgh International Film Festival · 2012

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2012

Philippine New Wave

Programme

11 films · 8 reviews

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Amok

Review preview for Amok

Farjado's style is immersive, capturing both the sense of chaos in the district but also finding time to linger on fine details, giving a vibrant sense of place.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
Everyone is on the take in downtown Manila.

(Country: Philippines; Year: 2011; Director: Lawrence Anthony Fajardo; Writer: John Paul Bedia; Stars: Mark Gil, Nonie Buencamino, Garry Lim, Efren Reyes Jr., Spanky Manikan, Dido Delapaz, Archi Adamos, Ermie Concepcion, Lui Manansala, Patricia Ismael, Tuxs Rutaquio, John Arceo, Ku Aquino, Roli Inocencio, Acey Aguilar, Amante Pulido, Nico Antonio, Lowell Conales, Ivy Rivero, Xavi Hemady, Wovi Villanueva, Bryan Cabase, Akira Sapla, Michelle Nollora )

Full review

Buenas noches, España

Review preview for Buenas noches, España

Screenings of Buenas Noches Espana should come with a free dose of ibruprofen because there's a good chance you'll leave with a headache.

Amber Wilkinson · 1.5 out of 5
Experimental film, addresses the shared history of Spain and the Philippines through the idea of time travel.

(Country: Spain, Philippines; Year: 2011; Director: Raya Martin; Writer: Raya Martin; Stars: Pilar Lopez de Ayala and Andres Gertrudix)

Full review

Fable Of The Fish (Isda)

Review preview for Fable Of The Fish

At the end of it one sits, dumbfounded.

Andrew Robertson · 4 out of 5
The mythic tale of a woman who gives birth to a fish.

(Country: Philippines; Year: 2011; Director: Adolfo Borinaga Alix Jr; Writer: Jerry Gracio; Stars: Cherry Pie Picache, Bembol Roco, Anita Linda, Rosanna Roces, Angel Aquino, Allan Paule, Evelyn Vargas, Arnold Reyes)

Full review

Florentina Hubaldo, CTE

In a rural area of the Philippines, a father forces his daughter into prostitution. Somewhere else, two men are embarked on a quest for a buried treasure. “As no other filmmaker, Lav Diaz is involved with the suffering of the people of the Philippines, with its history of colonialism, corruption and poverty. A philosophical drama about the psychological effects of injustice and arbitrariness” (Gertjan Zuilhof, programmer, International Film Festival Rotterdam). Please note that the film will be shown without intermission. 

(Country: Philippines; Year: 2012; Director: Lav Diaz)

Forever Loved (Lawas Kan Pinabli)

Review preview for Forever Loved

Forever Loved is at its best when it avoids embellishment.

David Graham · 2.5 out of 5
An examination of the stories of Filipino migrants around the world, and one man's journey to find his missing emigrant wife.

(Country: Philippines; Year: 2011; Director: Christopher Gozum; Writer: Christopher Gozum; Stars: Louie Rojas, Jo Paredes, Dindo Salinas, Sharon Manibpel, Joselito Alejo, Joseph Peruda, Inday Pongan Malik, Rolando Blanco, Christopher Carvajal, Joseph Henry Espiritu)

Full review

MNL 143

Review preview for MNL 143

It's a thin and sketchy experience.

Scott Macdonald · 2 out of 5
A taxi driver picks up an assortment of quirky customers.

(Country: Philippines; Year: 2012; Director: Emerson Reyes; Writer: Emerson Reyes; Stars: Allan Paule, Joy Viado, Gardo Versoza, Lou Veloso, Sherry Lara, Ramon Bautista, Rener Concepcion, Catherine Cornell, Che Ramos, Earl Ignacio, Perry Dizon, Sheen Gener, Chris Pasturan, Max Celada, Patricia Festejo)

Full review

Mondomanila, Or: How I Fixed My Hair After A Rather Long Journey (Mondomanila: Kung paano ko inayos ang buhok ko matapos ang mahaba-haba ring paglalakbay)

Review preview for Mondomanila, Or: How I Fixed My Hair After A Rather Long Journey

Khavn always remembers to lace his anarchic jamboree with socio-political concern as well as a vibrant affection for his subjects.

David Graham · 3.5 out of 5
A gang of friends get in and out of trouble in Manila's vibrant and bizarre slums.

(Country: Philippines, Germany; Year: 2010; Director: Khavn de la Cruz; Writer: Norman Wilwayco, Khavn de la Cruz; Stars: Timothy Castillo, Marife Necesito, Jim Rocky Tangco, Jonathan Reyes, Stefan Punongbayan, Alex Tiglao, Tony Hunt, Palito, Rodney Aquino, Whitney Tyson, Dante Perez, Paulo Vicente, Raymart Tangco, Manuel 'Bonbon' Valerozo, Rey Miyano)

Full review

Niño

A witty and incisive portrait of an aristocratic Philippine family in decline. The elderly family patriarch is ill, and his daughter wants to sell the house, to the alarm of his sister, Celia, a former opera star, who had been looking forward to spending her last years peacefully among her memories of the past. Celia pins her hopes for a miracle on her young grandson, whom she dresses up as the Santo Niño (holy child).

(Country: Philippines; Year: 2011; Director: Loy Arcenas)

Of Skies and Earth (Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Lupa)

Review preview for Of Skies and Earth

The use of humor becomes poignant given how impoverished these kids are, their indomitable spirit shining through even when the world deals them a bum hand.

David Graham · 3.5 out of 5
Life is tough for a gang of Filipino street children.

(Country: Philippines; Year: 2011; Director: Mes De Guzman; Writer: Mes De Guzman; Stars: Japo Escobedo, Jeremie M. Cercenia, Zanderson V. Vicente, Alfredo D. Ubera Jr., Ronald Caranza, Nestor Lumidao, May Averence Hortaleza, Abdul John Candelario, Francis Eric Tucay, Jhureen Sernande, Nestor Collado, Jose Escobedo, Arthur Calventas, Aldwin Ocampo, Randy Macadangdang)

Full review

Philippine New Wave: This Is Not a Film Movement

“Not so much a documentary, nor a compendium of interviews, but an almost rarefied glimpse into a wholesale revolt from a rigid paradigm long upheld by the west as the only way to make a film. If you want to see how technology has democratized cinema, here is the tip of a massive iceberg”. (Khavn de la Cruz)

(Country: Philippines; Year: 2012; Director: Khavn De La Cruz)