December 23, 2024
Of the 169 Filipino films released commercially in cinemas, as entries in film festivals, or streaming in online apps in 2024, I've seen 149 of them so far.
In April, the Puregold Cinepanalo film fest, with the festival theme of "Mga Kuwentong Panalo ng Buhay," was launched. I was able to watch 4/6 entries. In August, the Cinemalaya film festival was held in the cinemas of the Ayala Mall by the Bay. The inconvenient distance of the venue and the irregular scheduling made it difficult for me, but I was still able watch 7/10 films.
In September, the Sinag Manila filmfest was back, and I was able to watch 7/7 films. In November, the QCinema film festival was back, bigger than ever. But aside from the opening film, I was only able to see the one film I prioritized. On Christmas Day, the Metro Manila Filmfest opens again. I have now watched 8/10.
Aside from "And So It Begins," I had not been able to catch any of major documentary films released this year, like "Alipato at Muog," "Ghosts of Kalantiaw," or "Los Sabungeros." The films in my list below are all narrative feature films.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
30. GG - Prime Cruz (MY REVIEW)
29. THAT KIND OF LOVE - Catherine Camarillo (MY REVIEW)
28. MAPLE LEAF DREAMS - Benedict Mique (MY REVIEW)
27. MUJIGAE - Randolph Longjas (MY REVIEW)
26. A JOURNEY - RC de los Reyes (MY REVIEW)
25. ESPANTAHO - Chito Roño (MY REVIEW)
24. LOLO AND THE KID - Benedict Mique (MY REVIEW)
23. UN/HAPPY FOR YOU - Petersen Vargas (MY REVIEW)
22. UNDER PARALLEL SKIES - Sigrid Andrea Bernardo (MY REVIEW)
21. MY FUTURE YOU - Crisanto Aquino (MY REVIEW)
20. KONO BASHO - Jaime Pacena II (MY REVIEW)
19. YOUR MOTHER'S CHILD - Jun Lana (MY REVIEW)
18. LOVE CHILD - Jonathan Jurilla (MY REVIEW)
17. HER LOCKET - J.E. Tiglao (MY REVIEW)
16. TUMANDOK by Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay. (MY REVIEW)
15. I AM NOT BIG BIRD - Victor Villanueva (MY REVIEW)
14. OUTSIDE - Carlo Ledesma (MY REVIEW)
13. A LAB STORY - Carlo Obispo (MY REVIEW)
12. SALOME - Teng Mangansakan (MY REVIEW)
11. STRANGE FREQUENCIES - Kerwin Go (MY REVIEW)
Here are my TOP TEN:
Between bookend scenes of undead beings and calamitous disaster, Bernardo stitched on six episodes of melodrama dealing with a variety of family issues about infidelity, separation, LGBT, sacrifice and disease. After this, she then surprised us some more with her last minute twists that tied all the loose threads up neatly. I thought her complex script was a winner and it still managed to live up to the positivity Puregold was going for.
This film was written and directed by Paul Soriano, whose last directorial output was the much-maligned MMFF 2022 entry "My Teacher." This time around, his latest film was a complete 180 degree turn for Soriano, in terms of richness of concept, quality of production elements, and depth of acting by its stars. "Real Life Fiction" was an abstract arthouse film. It was certainly beautiful to look at, but the story it tells is open for various interpretations. My interpretation is a good as yours.
You can clearly see the efforts of director Michael Tuviera, scriptwriter Michelle Ngu and production designer Nestor Abrogena Jr. to build this alternate reality within which our country existed in the film. They were advised by professors of history and anthropology to guide their world-building. They were meticulous in details of fashion, ornaments, tattoos, and interior decor. Direction, screenplay, production and costume design merit award consideration.
Fajardo's style of storytelling immersed us in the silent world Lucas lived in, seeing people and things in his 12 year-old point of view. We see how shaky and unsettling he saw the world to be. It was very interesting to see how the deaf were being treated within our criminal justice system. Having two sign language translators interpret and relay the deaf witness's answer to every question by the lawyers seems to be such a tedious yet necessary process to assure impartiality.
Dayoc enveloped the whole film with blood and violence from the very first scenes at the slaughterhouse. The cinematography, editing, production design, sound and musical score here made sure that there was no let up of the tension of uncertainty and sense of danger surrounding Mateo's entire baptism of fire. By the end, we don't know what kind of future Fate has in store for this prematurely corrupted young man.
Marian Rivera lends her superstar power to attract the fickle Filipino moviegoers to watch a film with an important advocacy to push. Year after year, Filipino citizens go through various elections of public officials. More frequent than not, the winners were those with the biggest bribes or the best name recall, and not the most capable nor the most honest. This film tells us to stop this ridiculous circus now, and vote seriously with only patriotism in mind.
Lav Diaz tells about the insidious effects of violence when this was done in the line of duty -- in Zabala's case, as a scout ranger against rebels, or as a policeman against activists. Zabala was old-school, a stickler for rules, and he believed what he was doing was the right thing. It was his own mind who made him recognize how damaged a man he was. Unfortunately, he also realized that violence may only rely on more violence to achieve liberation.
Ricky Lee and Anj Atienza told this crime story from two perspectives -- Gonzaga's first, then Dom's. Director Zig Dulay's knack for visual storytelling was topnotch as he riveted our attention from beginning to end. The scenic island location for the penal colony, complete with stately lighthouse and an old tree with a dramatic crown of leaves, was surely a dream come true for cinematographer Neil Daza. Nominations are forthcoming for all of them.
The script by Vicente Garcia Groyon hewed to old-fashioned linguistic styles to keep to the nostalgic theme of the film. It included a number of charming, kitchen-inspired sayings and mottos to keep to the culinary theme. Director Soberano brings up the clash between traditions vs. modernity multiple times, but different generations will answer this question differently. I am a sucker for this type of film that has warmth, sentimentality and positivity.
A solar eclipse occurred over the cursed town of Cupang. That day, a 29 year-old country girl named Elsa (Aicelle Santos) said that she saw the Blessed Virgin Mary who granted her the ability to heal. The parish priest (Floyd Tena) was skeptical, but Elsa went on with her mission, assisted by her mother Saling (Bituin Escalante), best friend Chayong (Neomi Gonzales), grateful mother Sepa (Joann Co) and local socialite Mrs. Alba (Sweet Plantado).
Director Pepe Diokno grabbed the formidable material by the horns and made sure all its key plot and message points come across clearly and engagingly to the audience. Vincent de Jesus's big dramatic songs transitioned very well onto the big screen. Ricky Lee's religious debate of a script, with its biting socio-political commentary, remain as complex and thought-provoking as it did before, proof of its timeless and lasting significance.
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*January 3, 2025 Updated this list after being able to watch four more MMFF 2024 films after New Years Day. I have now seen 7/10.
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My List of Best Filipino Films of 2023 is posted HERE.
My List for Best Filipino Films of 2022 is posted HERE.
My List for Best Filipino Films of 2021 is posted HERE.
My List for Best Filipino Films of 2020 is posted HERE.
My List for Best Filipino Films of 2019 is posted HERE.
My List for Best Filipino Films of 2018 is posted HERE.
My List for Best Filipino Films of 2017 is posted HERE.
My List for Best Filipino Films of 2016 is posted HERE.
My List for Best Filipino Films of 2015 is posted HERE.
My List for Best Filipino Films of 2014 is posted HERE.
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