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| Busong |
The incidents in the film take place in the island of Palawan where Punay (Alessandra de Rossi), whose entire body is covered with sores is carried by her brother Angkadang (Rodrigo Santikan) in search of a tribal healer. Along the way they cross paths with Ninita (Bonivie Budao), a young woman looking for her beloved husband, Lulong (Dax Rivera), a fisherman threatened by a foreigner who claims private ownership of the beach and Aris (Clifford Bañagale), a Palawan native who ends up returning to the island to reclaim what he left behind. Their relationships are the ripples that make us perceive the place through the flow of life in the island. Life is hard, has always been hard in the island but the people have survived. However, this is only the framework which screenplay writers Kanakan Balintagos and Henry Burgos uses in order to weave an existentialist metaphor about the absurdity of life and how the simplicity of the people allows them to endure personal, natural and social calamities without a whimper. In a sense, Busong is an elegy of the resiliency of simple men and women, a lament that is at the same time a celebration of love and life in a hostile universe. Unlike the usual Filipino film, Busong willfully refuses to yield an immediately perceptible storyline. Instead, it seems to meander from one sharply drawn incident to another, from a starkly realistic scene to another which is frankly poetic. It has something very definite to say except that it doesn't say it in the accustomed manner of Filipino films. By setting the narrative in Palawan and meticulously documenting the traditional lifestyle of the folk, Solito may have triggered off expectations that he had no intention of gratifying, for actually, he had instead intended a philosophical trip. In the process of finding the concrete situations that would validate his theme, he made use of the particulars of life in an island in the Philippines. One moviegoer may regret that the screenplay had chosen to prescind from relevance when they elected to philosophize. Another may quibble about the mixture of style in Solito's direction which does not always succeed in harmonizing the documentary with the poetic. Aside from showcasing connotative employment of the filmic language, Busong is the first Filipino independent film that comes closest to authenticity in bringing the lives of the rural folk, who are portrayed here with dignity, without sensationalism, prettiness, florid rhetoric or over-emphatic histrionics. The film's otherness is its own way of opposing the stasis in which Filipino films find themselves enclosed. Even as Busong and Solito aligned themselves with the more serious and alternative filmmakers of their generation, Busong further challenged its own alignment by bravely contravening even the established norms of the respected quality films of its time. Busong's narrative form and film structure affirm its evasion of dominant literary traditions and film conventions.
Directed By: Auraeus Solito
Screenplay By: Kanakan Balintagos And Henry Burgos
Cinematography By: Louie Quirino
Score And Sound Design By: Diwa de Leon
Edited By: Chuck Gutierrez
Production Design By: Hai Balbuena
Produced By: Cinemalaya, Solito Arts Production In Association With Alternative Vision Cinema And Voyage Studios
Philippine Release Date: April 18, 2012
US Release Date: June 29, 2012
4:29 AM
Wow! That's a very intelligent, incisive observation and reading of the film. Does the film evoke of Malick's films or more of a film like Ron Fricke's Baraka? I agree with you, I haven't seen a lot of regional films that feel authentic and void of artifice.
4:31 PM
Thanks so much for the kind words Ron...
Most independent films are un-Filipino in sensibility. Busong is a film that reflects in the direction, the writing and the performances, the culture of the FIlipinos. There is a difference between technique which refers to to the vocabulary of cinema and sensibility which refers to the heart and mind of the creative artist behind the film. Technique, just like Malick's films is universal. It is sensibility that is particular. It bears the stamp of the culture that molded the creative artist making Busong a Filipino film which is Filipino in sensibility.
1:01 PM
This film based from your review, is a huge departure from his previous narrative-type films. Is it akin to Lav Diaz' in style (minus the epic length)?
Regarding your comment about indie Filipino films not having Filipino sensibility, I guess it's because most of our younger filmmakers are influenced by Hollywood and to lesser degree, European filmmakers. One genre that's not common in the indie scene today is melodrama. Maybe it gives a negative connotation… of being uncool. Which is unfortunate, since melodrama done right still makes great cinema. Many of our true Filipino classics are rooted in melodrama. In my opinion, most Filipinos tend to gravitate to melodramas since we are of a culture that wears our emotions in our sleeves. Aside from that, most of us really have that much drama in our lives.
8:48 PM
In his 2009 film Boy, Auraeus focused on the lyrical exploration of homosexual attraction. He laid down the fundamentals in Busong. Both films are fueled by the same elements keeping the narrative within intimate circumstances.
Some critics call Lav Diaz's work as unmoving cinema to which I totally disagree with.
The new breed of independent filmmakers are mostly influenced by the Cinema of Europe. Some say the reason behind it is the lack of available copies of classic Filipino movies which can only be seen on cable that have been reviewed and scrutinized by the MTRCB or if they are resourceful enough the same movies can be bought at the pirated DVD stalls in Quiapo or Makati Cinema Square.
I wouldn't say that melodrama is uncommon in independent films. They're not as melodramatic compared to what we're accustomed to. Many of the Cinemalaya produced films were melodramas masquerading as political dramas, gay oriented dramas and historical dramas.
Of all the indie filmmakers, Auraueus Solito and Brillante Mendoza are among the very few whose films have Filipino sensibility even if at times the technique is heavily influenced by Japanese, French or even Hollywood movies...
7:27 AM
Great review as always Jojo! Your thoughts made me want to see the film, old or new. I even enjoyed reading your comments initiated by Ronald.
8:14 AM
I really urge you to watch these films. What I'm most proud of is the fact that filmmaker Auraeus Solito sent me a message on fb saying how much he loved my review and even used my collage as cover photo on his page. He was leaving for Montreal when he came across my review. It's those little things that make me want to continue with what I started six years ago and of course readers such as yourself and Ron who never fail to post their thoughts each time I publish a new review. I'm eternally grateful!
11:28 AM
I really want to watch these kind of films. Our commercial films nowadays are so pathetic. The lack of availability on videos somehow marred those who want to watch it. Not everybody can go to theaters or screenings to catch those really worthy of praised Pinoy films. Thanks, Busong is definitely on my 'Watch' list.
It's nice that Auraeus himself contacted you about your review on his film and he was more than glad.
We are also glad to read Pinoy movie reviews that are really worth checking out. Yours stands out, I say.
8:29 PM
I'm glad that my reviews stir your interest in watching these films. Mainstream movies nowadays have nothing new or exciting to offer. The problem is that most moviegoers can't go to the CCP, and Greenbelt is not easily accessible. I read that they showed Cinemalaya films at Trinoma. It would be great if they can include Gateway as a venue. Although I'm not sure if their theaters are equipped to show digital movies.
It feels great to be appreciated by the filmmakers themselves. That was very nice of Auraeus to let me know how much he loved my review. It also inspires me when I get to talk to other film enthusiasts and how this blog taught them to appreciate Filipino films.
As they say old films help recover our forgotten past...
8:16 PM
That's one reason why I don't watch pinoy movies as often as I used to what with the cable on hand also.
Back when there was Pelikula At Lipunan, one of the venues held were in Sta. Lucia Cinema. I did watch three of the local films being showns and they were all jampacked. Gateway is a great venue but just like what you said regarding digital movies.
Your blog is a great help not only to those who have seen those pinoy during those childhood years but also to new generation who simply loves watching our very own movies.
Well said Jojo!
5:01 AM
Comfort is an important factor when watching movies nowadays. Then there's cable and DVD which are only months apart (a year for cable) from the film's theatrical release.
Maybe Sta. Lucia would be a great venue for Cinemalaya as long as they are equipped to show digital movies.
Thanks so much Dennis, rest assured that readers like you are most appreciated!
11:36 AM
Thanks Jojo. I just hope in the future other venues will be given a chance to show our very own films that are well-worth seeing.
4:19 PM
You're most welcome Dennis! Sana nga maipalabas din ang mga pelikulang tulad nito sa nga sinehang pinagtatanghalan ng mga mainstream movies para hindi naman maging ekslusibo sa mga lugar na hindi madaling puntahan ng mga regular moviegoers.