#mmff2023

[sessayyys-corner]

GOMBURZA (2023) - MMFF REVIEW

“Vivan Los Filipinos. Mabuhay ang mga Filipino.”

This film is the story of the three martyr priests. Three Filipinos who were part of the native community who were once under Spanish colonial rule and oppression. If you have been updated, or have been listening in your elementary Philippine history classes, it’s GOMBURZA, not MAJOHA. 

Despite it being produced by Jesuit Communications, the film was able to execute (No pun intended) a factual depiction on a turning point of Philippine history without overused emphasis of religion. It was able to capture how the Catholic faith was used as an instrument of oppression during the Spanish colonial period (This was especially ironic considering how return of the religious orders, including the Jesuits, were the reason for the silencing of the secularization movement). What also impressed me is that almost every single detail in the movie, even in the dialogue, came from actual events in history. It is evident that enough research was made to make this film as accurate as possible.

The film’s cinematography was able to capture life during the period whether it was amongst the Filipino liberals, the Spanish priests, the Governor-Generals, or even the three main characters in our story. With every other scenes of the film shifting from light to dark atmospheres, this symbolized the reality of Spanish colonization — warmth, acceptance, and friendship amongst fellow Filipinos; and ruthlessness, inhumanity, and oppression from the Spaniards (and even traitors). Adding emphasis to GomBurZa’s (2023) cinematography is its sound design. Just by feeling the cinema floor rumbling and the deeply-voiced voiceover in the film’s ending segment, this film can come to a point where it deserves its own IMAX screening.

Dante Rivero and Cedrick Juan showcase over-the-top stellar performances as Padre Mariano Gomez (played by Rivero) and Padre Jose Burgos (played by Juan). Both actors have embodied their roles, not only due to the fact that they, especially Juan, share a slight resemblance with the real life Mariano Gomez and Jose Burgos. It is also because that they were able to portray their emotions from having a friendly conversation, to later condemning their unfair arrest, trial, and death.

Pepe Diokno's time and effort in conducting research and including every important detail in the production is evident in the whole film itself, as it was not only ACTUALLY based on true events, but was able to evoke emotion and outrage, just like how the Filipinos of the 1870s did at the time.

With all of this said, GomBurZa (2023) is not only a history lesson, but also an immersion into the Spanish colonial rule and the lives of the three priests. Being a history nerd and a cinephile who has since learned the names of the three martyr priests as a little girl in elementary, I can definitely say that this was one of the only film experiences where I had witnessed the breaking of the fourth wall. The whole time I was in the cinema, it felt like I was part of their conversation, like I was a witness to their lives and execution.

What also added to this experience was that I watched the film on Rizal Day, and what better way to commemorate our national hero's contribution to Philippine independence than to learn about where it all started? Like what I always preached to my family:

Without GomBurZa, there will be no Jose Rizal. Without Jose Rizal, there would be no Andres Bonifacio. Without all of them, the Philippines and the Filipino would not exist.

GomBurZa (2023) is a cathartic experience that is definitely for the family. This film is a testament to the importance of appreciating and learning our history. Hopefully it serves as a reminder of our collective past, national identity, and the importance of our freedom.

[Metro Manila Film Festival 2023]

(my film review of "GomBurZa" is also available on letterboxd!)

[icanbeyourero]

Movie Review: GomBurZa

I was deeply moved by this movie.

The storytelling is amazing, it was poetic and impactful. Although there were scenes when the dialogues were long, it didn't feel boring and they made perfect sense. It gave me a glimpse of the part of history which were not usually explained thoroughly in school.

It also gave dimensions to the three famous historical figures but whose stories were usually treated as prompt for even bigger historical figures.

The actors were all amazing. Cedrick Juan is a new found gem; he was able to deliver the fervor and compassion of Jose Burgos. I hope he will be given bigger projects with good story and production like this one. Dante Rivero was expectedly brilliant as the old Mariano Gomes who at his age is more careful, and seemingly less devoted, with his participation in the reformation. Enchong Dee –whose character is Jacinto Zamora, a priest who is nonchalant about the cause of the secularization movement– gave justice to his portrayal. Piolo Pascual, although was only present in the first quarter of the film, gave a wonderful performance. All other supporting actors/characters also gave strong performances.

However, there's something I find unsettling: Did the movie try to make it appear that the friars are not to be blamed on the death of the three martyrs?

Anyway, the film showed how religion was used as weapon in our history. It was used as a tool by the Spaniards and friars to oppress; it was also used as device by our heroes to awaken our love for our nation, for each other, and for our freedom.

This must be watched by everyone, especially our youth.

[unbridledmemories]

Gomburza and The Collective Struggle for Truth and Justice

I placed my left hand close to my chest while perched on the plush seats of SM Cinema Iloilo’s Cinema 1 while waiting for the movie Gomburza to start. I was seated beside my cousin, Tata Debbie Hope, and though we were expecting to weep inside the cinema, personally, I had no foresight that the movie would make me tear up so much so, that even when we went out of Cinema 1, we were still…

[ricisidro]

#Rewind (2023), a #scifi #romance #drama film directed by #MaeCruzAlviar stars #DingdongDantes and #MarianRivera, loosely based on #IfOnly (2004) directed by #GilJunger stars #JenniferLoveHewitt and #PaulNicholls, has grossed ₱600 million, becoming the highest-grossing film in the #Philippines of 2023.

#MMFF2023

[sunb0rn]

07 Jan 2024

petsa de peligro pero gusto humabol sa #MMFF2023

di ko na maalala kelan last MMFF ko at nuod ng local film in gen. di ko sure pero Ulan pa ata ni Nadine Lustre eh.

nag dalawang isip na talaga ako humabol pero kahapon inaaya ako ni i na manuod today kasi nabanggit ko gusto ko manuod Gomburza. kaso wala naman malapit sa amin sa Taguig, ang choice ay Festi or Aura at kailangan namin lumuwas ng maaga. alangan ako lumuwas ng masyado maaga kasi di na nga ako uuwi next weekend. the thought ba na mag stay ng mej mahaba with fam this weekend *kahit na minsan nababadtrip ako sa kanila*

eh nag aaya din pala ang boarders kina mamy na manuod- Rewind daw. so naisip ko mag Fam day nalang tas saktong after movie ako bumyahe pa Taguig.

pag dating don, nag dalawang isip pa sila kung Firefly or Rewind *interested din talaga ako sa Firefly at Mallari* sabi ni dady Gomburza din gusto nya. so kaming dalawa sana then nag sabi si mamy na sa amin nalang sya sasama HAHAHA. pero last night pa nya nasabi a akin na gusto din nya yon.

buti mej mura movie sa SM Sucat, eh 3 tix binili ko (siempre ni-treat ko na ang parentals), may discount din naman kasi both senior na.

glad na finally natuloy ako manuod ng movie tas kasama pa sila kahit wala na tlga sa budget, kahit naman if ako lang nag movie today.

//

[ricisidro]

Time Travel, Tear-Jecker, Romantic

#Rewind (2023) #MMFF2023

If you have another chance to go back to the past and alter the current events of your life to save the one you love, would you do it?

#IfOnly (2004)

If you had one day more with the girl of your dreams, what would you do?