10/18/2013
10:51:38 AM
Noir poetry
is on the roll, and one of its biggest fruits was the movie known as “Metro
Manila.” Nah, we should not be wondering on why the metropolitan has always
been the subject of this type of artwork. Seems like poverty porn has always
been a part of our cultural identity, eh?
It’s nice
to notice though that Metro Manila was the British filmmaker Sean Ellis’ entry
to the 86th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. Yes, pang-Oscars nga ang pelikulang ito,
considering that it can actually be a convergence of Filip
ino talents and
British production in one movie.
It actually
tells the story of a family from the northern Philippines (Banaue to be exact),
who went to Manila in order to seek for greener pastures. Well, only to found
out that life in the city is not exactly as they think about. They were badly
exposed to poverty, which apparently have a bunch of evil roots such as
prostitution, illegal settlement (or informal settlers, rather), and even
corruption at its own little way. On how dangerous a “job” may be for one whose
innocent-but-fearless-and-righteous mind whom wearing a helmet, bulletproof
vests, armed with guns and driving an armored car.
That’s the
only details I can only divulge to you. Let your eyes do the rest of story-telling,
please? All of these stories though are based from what Ellis’ impression on
the Philippine capital, with the real-life story of an airplane-hijacking
incident that involves a certain Reginald Chua in addition.
Well, my
take though. I don’t know if it’s just me or is Jake Macapagal’s game face was
really an “innocent” one? Certainly that’s the attitude he had as the show
rolls, the problem is if he’s the movie protagonist, why he was seemed to be overlapped
by his fellow actor (yet the antagonist of the film in the role named Douglas Ong)?
Honestly, I've got nothing to tell on how Althea Vega portrayed the role of
Mai. I can’t judge, except that her story (as Mai) – whom hailed from Banaue,
went to the city, and ended up being a “prosti” despite being pregnant for her
3rd child – well, it seemed to be just one of those many fates women
used to face when they came to the metro in totally blank and innocence.
It there’s
one person that I largely recognized in this film, that’s John Arcilla; who
filled in the shoes of being Oscar Ramirez’ partner-in-crime, and the only
kontrabida by the name of Douglas Ong. He really made an impact on that movie. He’s
not just a typical antagonist there. He offers a lot of goodies as if he’s really
generous, only to find out that little by little he’s corrupting the farmer’s mind, and putting a dirty ploy that involves his integrity; Well, he also shows everyone that like Ocang Magsasaka, he
too was a victim of circumstances.
Overall, I
can only tell that Metro Manila is just another film displaying “harsh reality
bites” of our own metropolis. However, this one is much... much heavier. Yeah,
much dramatic (well, you can consider this thing a potential “tear-jerker” even
if it’s not romance nor the anthropological drama type).
It’s dark;
it’s deep; it’s kinda depressing, and even disturbing. However, that’s “Metro
Manila” for you.
The
verdict: 9
Metro
Manila stars Jake Macapal Althea Vega and John Arcilla, with special
participation of Ana Abad Santos. Metro Manila was co-produced, co-written, and
directed by Sean Ellis.
Sources and recommended links:
Author: slickmaster | © 2013 september twenty-eight
productions
nice site!
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