"MINDANAO" and "WRITE ABOUT LOVE" : A TALE OF TWO NARRATIVES #MMFF2019

MINDANAO

Produced and Directed by Brillante Mendoza

Starring Judy Ann Santos and Allen Dizon

Looking at the title itself suggests that this is a movie about the region itself, but to be more precise,  it’s about the story of Saima  (played by Judy Ann Santos), relentlessly coping up with the ordeal  of taking care of her cancer stricken daughter  while her husband (played by Alen Dizon) is away,  serving the country as combat medic deployed somewhere in Mindanao. Saima travelled to Davao to seek help from an institution called "The House of Hope," a charity foundation that helps and shelter children with cancer. On her way to Davao, Saima went through strict scrutiny at checkpoints by armed soldiers patrolling the area, indicative of Martial Law rule in the region.   

Saima's family struggle is juxtaposed through an animated Maguindanaon (or is it Maranao?) folklore about the  two  prince, Rajah Sulayman and Rajah Indara Patra, sons of Sultan Nabi, who fights to stop a dragon devastating Lanao.  The animated sequences are continuously inserted throughout the movie, leaving viewers startled whether it was related to the story itself.  The narrative form of  story telling may not be appreciated by viewers but this is how Mendoza chose to convey his message about Mindanao, indirectly as it is. Mindanao in modern scenario, is a diverse and multi-racial region; home to about 40 different ethnic groups that includes indigenous tribes of Maranao, Maguindanao, the Lumads, the Manobos and the likes, each with distinct culture and language.  To depict a region with a folklore from within a region does not necessarily represent the whole of Mindanao, perhaps a more aptly titled movie would leave no questions asked instead of using Mindanao just to catch attention.

In an effort to depict Mindanao's Muslim culture,  some elements were inserted in the movie including cultural dance competition, muslim burial and traditional way of praying.  There are also some misconceptions e.g. Saima’s daughter was buried, not in a cemetery, but in an open place which contradicts Muslim culture.   The colorful vintas is more akin to the badjaos of Zamboanga and not the Maguindanoans (correct me if I wrong).  Upon seeing his dead daughter, Alen Dizon recited “La Illaha Illallah” (There is no God but Allah) albeit incorrectly pronounced likewise the name Aisa should be pronounced "Aaisa" or "Ayesha," not a shortened Aisa as most Filipinos pronounce it. I should know because I a Muslim from Mindanao.  The war scenes looks one sided without showing the enemy and yet we can hear people saying “Allahu Akbar” (meaning God is Great).  In this war torn place, every Muslim is treated as a suspect or a terrorist and sad to say, war atrocities continues. 

Without a doubt, Judy Ann Santos and Alen Dizon gave outstanding performances however,  I wished Brillantes find  a more appropriate title for his epic other than use Mindanao in an absurd way but nonetheless, the movie is worth watching after all, it merited the best picture award in the just concluded MMFF 2019.  

WRITE ABOUT LOVE

Produced and Directed by TBA Studios

Directed by Crisanto Aquino

Starring Miles Ocampo, Rocco Nacino, Joem Bascon and Yeng Constantino

Another movie that attracted my attention is “Write About Love.  The film tells the story of Joyce, a budding scriptwriter who tries to shift from selling her clothing designs online, to another passion on the side.  Her script “Just Us” got the nod of a major film outfit, described as “maintreamish” by one member of the screening committee, however, she was told to re-write it as there is already a movie currently showing its trailer with similar twists. A seasoned writer (Rocco Nacino) was commissioned to work with her to re-write the script and they were given 30 days to submit the final script.  There, the two writers discovered each other,  working on a script with two main characters in mind (played by Joem Bascon and Yeng Constantino) making it look like a movie within a movie.  The two often argues but time was running out and Joyce has to submit the final script in less than a week. Sub-plots and endless revisions follows and they have yet to come up with the final ending.

The movie gives us insight about scriptwriting in a contemporary setting however the lack of onscreen chemistry of the four actors somehow gave  a lesser impact as the audience seemed quite with very minimal reactions.  I guess I was looking for that cinematic feel good movie and it's like..... it's almost there, but not quite. Popular singer Yeng Constantino debuts as a film actress and won the best supporting actress on her first try. Her performance wasn't bad but I feel there are other artists who deserves the recognition.  The movie is still worth watching so let's give it a shot.