Wednesday, 8 October 2025

Movie Review: Cinemartyrs

Cinemartyrs blends history, memory, and cinema into a deeply personal story about art, womanhood, and remembrance. A film that dares to confront the unburied ghosts of the nation’s violent past. Following a determined young filmmaker recreating forgotten massacres, the story pushes beyond mere reenactment to explore how trauma lingers in the land, in memory, and in the bodies of survivors.

At the same time, the film stands as a true homage to the art of filmmaking—especially to the perseverance of women in the industry. Director Sari Dalena’s voice comes through loud and clear, crafting a deeply personal work that embraces both womanhood and a profound love for cinema. While the screenplay leans toward the absurd and the strange, its intention is sharp and undeniable.

What also makes Cinemartyrs compelling is its inclusivity in tackling stories of war and conflict in Mindanao, weaving them into the broader narrative of forgotten massacres. It’s the kind of film that experiments boldly, keeping you on edge as you wonder where the story will take you next—wild, daring, and works beautifully.

Cedrick Juan and Nour Hooshmand share an understated yet compelling chemistry as filmmakers whose love for each other mirrors their passion for art. Raquel Villavicencio delivers one of the film’s most unforgettable scenes, staged with such precision that it speaks volumes about the direction and writing.

Ultimately, Cinemartyrs shines through its uniqueness, dedication, and the message it leaves with its audience. More than history, more than memory—it is a love letter to Philippine cinema itself.

Bold, unsettling, and deeply personal—it turns history into a meditation on memory, womanhood, and the power of storytelling.


My Verdict: 4/5

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