What Lino Brocka was not able to achieve in his lifetime having been considered as one of the greatest film directors of the Philippines, Brilliante Mendoza did. And he did it after making eight films? Brocka’s Insiang, being the first ever film shown in Cannes Film Festival, paved way for a lot of Filipino flicks to be seen and appreciated in the world cinema. A year after, Brocka’s Jaguar made it as a nominee for the prestigious Palme d’Or but didn’t make it. Of course Mendoza won in a different category, but Brocka could have won that easily too (or so I think). This is Mendoza's second time in Cannes. The first was through the film Serbis.
Serbis is set in a porn-theatre and features long close-ups of festering boils and overflowing toilets. Kinatay on the other hand is about a kidnap-rape victim who is beaten up, then murdered and hacked to pieces.
Is Mendoza really worth the accolade or he’s just one lucky bastard?
I don’t know. I have not seen the movie. I am 99 percent sure that this will premier at UP Film Center since SM Malls will not allow such “dark” film or what Maggie Lee of The Hollywood Reporter described as a “prurient and excruciating viewing experience”.
Out of the eight films of Mendoza, I’ve seen three: Kaleldo (2006), Foster Child (2007), and Masahista (2005) in that particular order. After Masahista, I stopped watching his films. I know that watching three flicks out of eight is not enough to judge Mendoza’s works but I do know that I am not keen on watching “Kinatay” (literally means butchered). But I WILL. Just because it's a first for any Filipino film director to won the Best Director in Cannes Film Festival. Also, watching it will give me the right to rant or rave.
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Just a few things to be happy about... :-D
> My friend Charl is finally home for good. No more China. Yeba!
> I was able to spent some quality time with Mr. Freeze. So close I could smell his breath. nyahaha!
> Being nominated for an award is good. I am not hoping to win but if I do, the cash prize will be awesome to treat some good friends (and the prestige that comes along with it, heh!)
> Can't wait to see the movie, Proposal. why? well....
> My first food photography assignment is coming into reality. And it will be slated this June.
