Despite being a country liberal to issues affecting the LGBT
community, the Philippine cinema does not discuss them in mainstream movies. Instead,
such materials are more prominently featured in shorts and indie films. Last night,
in the eyes of her mentor and world-renowned Filipino director Brillante Mendoza, rising star Cataleya Surio presented two of her short films, both
directed by Martin Mayuga, in a special screening post-birthday celebration.
Finish Line is
about a transsexual who committed suicide after her medical operation into a
woman. It is a character study and in its brief screen time, in silent and
minimal ways, the central character is able to lay bare the anxieties behind
her life-changing transition. What urged her to hang herself is open to
interpretations but the obvious underlying motivation is regret. There must have
been employment biases (hinted by the opening scene where she cuts a picture for
her ID) or financial issues (indicated by her lowly lifestyle; e.g. dingy apartment,
recycled canisters, etc.). Before the shorts’ credits roll in, a postscript states
that not all who reaches the finish line wins. Indeed, all dreams come with a
price. But if they are more than we have bargained for, then we need to reconsider
if they are worth the price.
Pechay Baguio is
the second short featured. Shot in location in the country’s summer capital,
the film is visually stunning. It is truly Baguio, highlighted by the towering
pines and the busy flea market. The narrative is too familiar and plot-driven,
its events inspired by the actual and recent Jennifer Laude murder case. After discovering
that the woman he is with is not exactly what he thinks of, the guy murders her
in cold blood. (The woman eating a banana in the opening scene is a comic
clue to what the man discovers in the climactic moment.) Instead of running
away from the scene, the short takes on a Romeo-and-Juliet-like ending where
both the leads die together. Carlo Fajarda also stars in the film opposite
Surio as her love interest.
Over the two, Finish
Line has more depth and meaning as it gives more analysis to the character.
Yet, it is idle and the handful of dead moments may cut viewers’ interest. Meanwhile,
Pechay Baguio is more suspenseful
and with greater audience appeal. It is tight, fast-moving and surprisingly
heart-breaking in the end. Its material is also very timely and relevant. While
Surio overplays her role in the first film (possibly because the lack of screen
partner necessitates more effort), she is comfortable and evidently having fun
in the second.
0 comments:
Post a Comment