The cinematic re-education of a film buff away from home

MANILA, Philippines - One summer, as a kid, my aunts sneaked me out of the house so that they could bring me to watch Walt Disney’s Fantasia. Shortly after, my dad took the family to see The Sound of Music. I realize now that it was these two films that started my love for old films.

The environment I grew up in was a fervent admirer of all things western and I was to discover later on that this mentality was pretty much widespread and ingrained in the Filipino psyche.

With my awakening to European cinema, it became clear that, as with real life, it wasn’t necessary to make films that had a solid beginning, a clear development, and a very neat ending, mostly happy if one might add. A Hollywood formula, this one.

If Pinoy film lovers come to Madrid, one place that is highly recommended, even though it seems like a secret to a lot of the city’s inhabitants, is the Filmoteca Española. When Bibsy Carballo came over for a visit, I took her to see the Filmoteca. A year later, she asks me if I could read through the manuscript of a book that she was writing related to cinema — Filipino Directors Up Close. I accepted, and lo and behold! I enter a world I had never ventured into before: The life and times of the Philippines’ most-renowned film directors. Some were known only to Pinoys, others only to film lovers outside the country, and a good number of them, to both. What a treasure trove of history and information.

Having been “brainwashed” by an environment fascinated by the West, it was normal to know about the directors from Europe and from Hollywood. After being confronted with the manuscript, however, the realization came that Pinoy film directors also had worthwhile tales to tell, not only as proven artists in the field but also as very talented individuals. As I read chapter after chapter, a mixed feeling of guilt and pleasure came over me. The first was for having been ignorant of what was already in our own backyard, and the latter for all the interesting new information that was available in the about-to-be-published book.

A few “random” thoughts after reading the manuscript a few times and reminiscing some of the films I’ve watched:

Film watching is an individual experience. Other people cannot experience it for us.

I am dying to see Lamberto Avellana’s Anak Dalita and Manuel Conde’s Genghis Khan

Oro Plata Mata = LOVE; Pinoy Blonde = HATE

I respect artistic freedom, but I also believe that films are made to be shown to people and are not for the sole viewing pleasure of the filmmaker.

I did see Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag and also City After Dark and I liked them both. The interesting thing is that both these films merge as one in my memories. I can’t distinguish them apart. How I wish I could see the tribute film Manila from 2009.

It’s impressive how with zero visuals Dante Mendoza´s Kinatay could still make the audience cringe.

Laurice Guillen definitely has an outstanding body of work. I’ve watched several of her later films and, yes, they were very good.

More for the wanna-watchlist: Pila Balde and Kubrador.

Very interesting subject, Raya Martin.

Lav Diaz and his films are quite interesting. However, I don’t know if people have the time to sit through hours and hours just to catch what the message is.

I actually don’t like critics in general. Watching films is like enjoying wine: If you like it, then you like it. Who cares if the bouquet is fruity or if it smells of cat piss?

The comments and critiques from all the movie blogs show that Filipinos all over the world continue to watch Pinoy films. I believe that says tons about the quality of the final products from the industry. If it were all bad, then no one would care to watch them, much less if they are overseas.

With the amount of nominations and awards reaped by Pinoy filmmakers throughout cinematic history, it is plain to see that we truly are a very talented people and that we have much to say. We only need the opportunity to show the world what we can do. And it seems we’re doing pretty well. There might be a lot of things we are accustomed to doing badly as a people, but in cinema we have a lot to be proud of.

I suppose that like European cheeses, the European films that I now appreciate are an acquired taste. It’s high time I give these well-made Pinoy films a fighting chance. I have a long way to go so I can play catch-up. Now, let’s see. How do I go about getting a copy of these films…?

(Richard Signey, the film buff is a restless soul. From the finance world in New York, he returned to Manila, tried theater and teaching, and is now an English teacher in Madrid. Filipino Directors Up Close by The Philippine Star contributor Bibsy M. Carballo covers the movies of significant directors from 1950 to 2010. It is available at National Bookstore.)