My Movie World: Movie Review: Magkakabaung

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Movie Review: Magkakabaung

A single father who works in a casket factory accidentally kills his eight-year-old daughter through wrong medication. As he is haunted by a mixture of guilt and remorse over his daughter's untimely death, he finds it challenging not only to have his daughter's body discharged and buried but also to erase his culpability.

I was invited for the press preview of the internationally acclaimed MMFF New Wave Entry Magkakabaung. This MMFF New Wave Entry has already received several citations in different international film festival. The film has been able to shown in the following international film festival: 38th Montreal World Film Festival in Canada, 9th Harlem International Film Festival in New York, 3rd Hanoi International Film Festival, 11th Hong Kong Asian Film Festival, Austin Film Society and will compete in another international film festival in Asia slated for next year. The film also got 3 awards already internationally; NETPAC award for Best Asian Film in Hanoi International Film Festival and 2 Best Actor for the lead star Allen Dizon which he got in Harlem International Film Festival and Hanoi International Film Festival. I would like to commend the film for giving us a subdued and realistic approach in telling a story of a father's struggle in giving a decent burial to his daughter. I appreciate the style including the shaky camera and follow shot that gave us audience a sensible glimpse of the characters. What I like about their story telling is that they did not focus only to the main plot but their sub plot as well is integrated to the main plot for an effective wholeness of the film. This is not only about the poverty life of a coffinmaker but it also depicts social issues appending to his work for the labor laws, under the table deals in funeral services and rich and capitalist exploitation. All of these elements come together in a seamless whole. Pinakita ng pelikulang ito kung gaano kalala ang korupsyon at pananamantala ng mga capitalista at tunay na kalagayan ng labor workers sa probinysa and these things will break your heart after and make you reflect of the poverty status of our countrymen.

Bihira sa isang pelikula ang ma achieve ang tamang timpla ng subtleness sa kabuuan ng pelikula and no acting acting of the artist at ito ay na achieved ng pelikulang ito. usually the film tends to be boring and draggy for this king of approach in filmmaking but in this film they've been able to make the audience engage, look forward to the next scenes and follow the character of Allen Dizon. Subtle pero may laman, iyan ang acting na ibinahagi ni Allen para sa pelikulang ito. Iyong time na nalaman niyang patay na ang anak niya hindi siya nagpakita ng masidhing emosyon ngunit may laman ang kanyang mga galaw at ramdam mo ang kanyang pinagdadaanan. He is also consistent to his acting and been able to deliver his emotions to the audience. No wonder he got recognized internationally and surely here in our award giving body and a strong contender as Best Actor in this years/ MMFF New Wave. Gladys Reyes also gave a topnotch performance especially to the latter part of the film as she gave the most sensible acting in a subtle way.Recognition should also be given to the supporting casts like Chanel La Torre, Bor Ocampo, and Emilio Garcia that are consistent and effective to their characters. Same goes to all the non actors that has cameo to the movie that gave a natural and good acting. Chanel La Torre's character as Neri is a crossover from the previous film of Direk Jason Paul Laxamana, Babagwa. So if you enjoy the complexity character of Neri in Babagwa you will definitely enjoy it here as well. The most powerful scenes of the film are its' silent moments, in those scenes you will feel the sincerity and realism. I think this film is one of the strong contender for the MMFF New Wave and should worth watching. This is not your typical melo dramatic film about poverty but it will surely moved you.

My Verdict: 4/5