Rough Groove

Two notable films

Joyeux Noël - Christian Carion, 2005
Seen at SM Megamall where it was screened the other week, the closest theater offering it, its just not another war movie, this time, during the first World War somewhere in France in the trenches, French and their allies, the Scots and Germans were just a stones through from each other. It tells the story, based from various accounts, when at Christmas, arms were put down and cannons silenced, for that brief day during the war to fraternize and celebrate Christmas. A very heartwarming story that one should see. This is France’s entry to the Oscars for the Best in Foreign Film.

Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros - Auraeus Solito, 2005
This movie was originally scheduled to open for regular screenings 3rd week of November but when that came, I was disappointed since almost all theatres were just showing “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” After reading newspaper stuff, and learning of its raves and awards, I was yearning to watch this work by Aureaus Solito and screenwriter Michiko Yamamoto of Magnifico fame. I admit that I missed to see this during its regular Cine Malaya run at the CCP and when it was screened at the UP Film Theater. All the more I got anxious. However, the Potter movie was just so formidable and showing at a latter date was a good move.

As the first images flickered on the silver screen and a seeming familiarity greeted me. Except for nonexistent reel marks, it has that old film feel to it, just like those 70’s cinema verite works of Ishmael Bernal, Lino Brocka to cite a few: the slums, neighborhoods, the people.

Maximo Oliveros, the preteen girl trapped in a boy’s body (reminiscent of the film Ma vie en rose) is the glue that keeps the family of petty thieves together, the maternal thread that binds them amidst the harshness of life in the slums. While life, as it goes on, is always a matter of survival. For Maxi’s family, his father and brother’s petty thievery, stealing and engaging in illegal activities is the only option to put food on the table, making ends meet and making it day to day. This background coupled by the entrance of an abiding and straight policeman focused on solving a murder and putting order in a neighborhood populated by low life but also capture’s Maxi’s heart results to an engaging and beautiful movie. Strong performances by the cast specifically to Nathan Lopez, the lead, JR Valentin as the policeman makes it all the more worthwhile. One should see this while it is still being screened for the second week in local theaters.

Entry in International Film Festivals

- Asian Festival of 1st Films 2005 – Best Director and Best Film
- Montreal World Film Festival - Golden Zenith Award
- Cine Malaya Film Festival 2005: Special Jury Prize, Best Production Design, a special citation for the lead’s (Nathan Lopez) exemplary performance
- imagineNATIVE Film Festival – Best Picture
- Sundance Film Festival – will be in competition