Festival-hopping yields cinematic gems

“NASTY BABY”

Film buffs had a busy time shuttling from one festival to another last week—the second Quezon City International Pink Film Festival (from Oct. 6-11, at the Gateway Mall), the Manila Spanish Film Festival (Oct. 8-18, at Greenbelt 3) and the Metro Manila Film Festival Cine International (Oct. 9-13, at the Podium), which fielded screen gems from Norway, India, China, South Korea and France.

But, while thematically and visually satisfying, the moviegoing experience was for the most part uneven, quality-wise. Our top picks:

At the MMFF Cine Internacional: Torun Lian’s “Victoria” (Norway) is a mannered but emotionally menacing depiction of forbidden romance—about the tragic love affair of cash-strapped poet, Johannes (Jakob Oftebro) and Victoria (Iben M. Akerlie), who’s unwilling to reciprocate his love for her—because she doesn’t find him suitable for her affluent lifestyle!

The situation gets more complicated when Johannes becomes famous, and Victoria’s jealous fiancé dies in an accident—problem is, Johannes has already committed himself to marrying someone else!

Indian superstar Aamir Khan’s inventive three-hour drama, “Like Stars On Earth,” judiciously utilizes Bollywood’s song-and-dance numbers to dramatize the difficulties of talented but dyslexic 9-year-old Ishaan Awasthi (the adorable Darsheel Safary) and a patient substitute teacher, Ram Nikumbh (Khan), who sees through him—and helps him get to the root of his undiagnosed condition!

The movie to see at the Spanish fest’s Pelicula screenings is Beatriz Sanchiz’s ingeniously told “Todos Estan Muertos (They’re All Dead),” about a cancer-stricken Mexican mother (Angelica Aragon) who turns to a Day of the Dead ritual to bring back her departed son (Nahuel Perez Biscayart) to help her agoraphobic, former rock-star daughter, Lupe (Elena Anaya), and aimless grandson (Cristian Bernal).

Thereafter, the incestuous secrets that unravel are as shocking as the film’s amusing supernatural elements—but, with Sanchiz’s astute direction and the cast’s winsome portrayals, they’re carefully calibrated and compellingly realized.

Second chances

The film dispenses lessons about love and forgiveness without “preaching.” Viewers leave the cinema feeling empowered by the imperfect but loving members of their own dysfunctional families—and the production’s convincing reminders about second chances!

Curated by festival director Nick Deocampo (“#PinkQCity”), the second edition of the Pink film fest fielded flawed but thematically pertinent productions that draw attention to issues involving the LGBT community:

Set against the country’s first “King of Trans” female-to-male pageant last year, Airo Dancel’s documentary, “Pinoy Trans-kings,” follows five contestants who share their stories of confusion, self-discovery and “transition”—they say they aren’t lesbians; they’re men trapped in a woman’s body.

The film also features the uphill battles faced by transgender advocate Nil Nodalo and singer-actress Aiza Seguerra, who eloquently explained how she was “forced” to “come out” by circumstances beyond her control after the success of her enduring hit single, “Pagdating ng Panahon.”

Aiza reveals that the only thing keeping her from “transitioning” is how the hormone-induced process could drastically change her singing voice—a major consideration, naturally!

Jim Chuchu’s “Stories Of Our Lives” (Kenya) gathers five provocative tales about young LGBT people as they find their place in the sun in a country that is still extremely homophobic:

“Ask Me Nicely” examines the fleeting romance of two lesbian students; “Run” is about a straight-acting gay DVD pirate who falls victim to a hate crime; “Athman” dramatizes a tea picker’s unrequited love for his coworker; “Duet” examines an intimate moment between a white male hooker and his black client, and “Each Night I Dream” is about live-in lesbian lovers’ prayer for acceptance!

Intriguing but ultimately unsatisfying, Sebastian Silva’s Berlin-winning “Nasty Baby” is a crime drama involving Freddy (Silva), his lover Mo (Tunde Adebimpe) and his best friend, Polly (Kristin Wiig)—who has agreed to be the surrogate mother of the baby they intend to raise!