Top 5
1. Kids on Fire
2. Maski Papano
3. An Sadit Na Planeta
4. Ate O.G.
5. Looking For Rafflesias and Other Fleeting Things
Maski Papano
After getting disposed of, a
facemask starts to turn into a humanoid figure. It searches for its previous
owner, but finds him already with a new and better face mask. It gets
heartbroken then wanders around different places in Manila, and eventually
finds another similar looking facemask figure.
Timely, cleverly done and hearfelt.
My Verdict: 4.5/5
Crossing
Driven by desperation, security guard Gabriel Arkanghell resorts to robbing a bus. Just before he could commit the crime, two seasoned robbers beat him to the punch. As one of then approaches his seat, Gabriel tightens his grip on his concealed firearm and struggles to make the decision whether to become a hero and take the robbers down or fall victim to the robbery himself.
Love the suspense the of the film.
My Verdict: 3/5
Kawatan Sa Salog
Santi, an ill-behaved child, steals a dinosaur toy which makes his father mad. After he runs away from home, Santi accidentally drowns in the river but wakes up on a mysterious island where odd traditions are meant to be followed. He is then sentenced to clean the shore full of trash as punishment for stealing the revenant's sacred boat. Luckily, an old woman helps him and they form a strong bond. But after helping the old woman achieve her peace, the revenant finally allows him to leave their sanctuary. He returns home but his father is nowhere to be found. Instead, he finds the dinosaur toy floating on the river.
Appreciate the folk story on this film.
My Verdict: 2.5/5
An Sadit Na Planeta
Awakened by a mysterious voice, Arjan finds himself alone on a small planet, called Planet I. Soon, he finds himself exploring the little planet for 40 days.
Love the positive message and unique story telling of the film
My Verdict: 4/5
Looking For Rafflesias and Other Fleeting Things
A community fears the tikbalang (horse demon) which is mistakenly blamed for various killings in the forest. Gubat, a tikbalang, transforms into a teenage boy and searches for the truth. In the mountain, he meets Darren, an American botanist who is looking for rafflesias. His interactions with the American unravel his inner desires that he has never faced before. This pushes him to reveal his identity and puts his life at risk.
The mystery and its subject matter shine on this film
My Verdict: 3.5/5
Out of Body
Elle,
a young model new to the industry, arrives to the set of her first commercial
job to discover that the initial idea was scrapped. A mysterious new concept
has been developed, but the crew and director keep forgetting to let her know
what it is. However, after an afternoon of tight costume fittings, rough prop
work, and meetings with creepy producers, Elle begins to suspect something else
might be afoot.
Got the intention and inner message of the film about the entertainment industry
My Verdict: 3.5/5
Ang Pagdadalaga ni Lola Mayumi
After years of being teased as the town’s old virgin, Lola Mayumi decides to hire a young callboy who never expected to have an elderly client. When the two meet, an unlikely connection forms between them. After a night of intimacy and vulnerability, Lola Mayumi and the callboy start to question their beliefs. Her belief on how she sees men is be tested, are they really all bad? Or are there actually good men out there?
Good Casting and well acted by Ruby Ruiz. Cute and funny screenplay
My Verdict: 3.5/5
Namnama En Lolang
Entirely shot using a mobile phone, the film depicts life during the quarantine. It focuses on the story of Lolang Keyag who lives in isolation with her baby grandson Eli, as she was left to take care of him during the lockdown period. Despite the difficulties faced in this trying time, she tries her best to be hopeful for her grandson.
Timely and relevant story
My Verdict: 2.5/5
Kids on Fire
J.C., a prepubescent boy, slowly learns of his special role in the impending apocalypse during a religious camp. As he participates in the camp activities, he gets confused between constantly emerging sexual fantasies and his divine calling.
Satire short film to the fullest. Funny, good screenplay, outstanding cinematography, and fine direction. The best short film for Cinemalaya 2021. Its been able to utilize all its element to become a very well made short film, from its effective cast MYSTICA, the lead young actor Alexis Prins Negrite, up to its controversial and real subject matter.
My Verdict: 5/5
Beauty Queen
Set in Pampanga in 1940, Remedios Gomez is a classic woman through and through, and she has the town’s beauty pageant crown to prove it. But when the Empire of Japan invades the Philippines, plunging the country into unmitigated chaos and violence, her quiet provincial life is completely overturned. After her father is tortured and killed by the Japanese for his refusal to obey them, Remedios runs to the mountains with her brother Oscar to join the Hukbalahap resistance and find renewed purpose in the war. Once she arrives in the thick jungle encampment, however, she discovers that not only does being a woman limit her options in the resistance, but her suppressed grief over her father’s death continues to persist. She must grapple with both obstacles as she tries to find the strength to be who she needs to be for her country, while still unapologetically being herself.
A decent source material for history class.
My Verdict: 3/5
Ate O.G.
ATE, an aging household helper, struggles with the slow, dull, day-to-day depression of home quarantine in the midst of a nationwide lockdown. Her two teenage employers also struggle and cope in their own way, but seem to take out their negative feelings on her. After running a series of stressful chores for them, Ate finds a familiar medicine that gives her an unexpected form of relief and a newfound connection with the teenagers in her care.
A simple but wasak, cool and astig story. Could be a dark horse for this year Cinemalaya 2021 short film competition.
My Verdict: 3.5/5
The Dust in Your Place
After witnessing an awkward fight between her writer and his girlfriend, a comic strip illustrator decides to tell him what is plaguing his relationships with other girls. The conversation explodes into a discussion on relationships, social norms, their history, and their possible future, and it becomes increasingly clearer that the trajectory of their career and friendship are on the line.
The fan of the two character conversational film will like this.
My Verdict: 3.5/5
Ang Mga Nawalang Pag-asa At Panlasa
Micro food establishments have been gravely affected by the pandemic. The film features the struggles faced by Ilocano food entrepreneurs and how they slowly rise amidst the challenges of this health crisis.
Good documentary. Could pass a fine segment of a magazine TV show in the Philippines.
My Verdict: 3/5
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