MMFF AT 50: WHAT MAKES EACH FILM WORTH WATCHING?

THAT TIME OF THE year has come when the Metro Manila Film Festival MMFF), which is having its golden edition, presents a collection of films that are in stark contrast in terms of narrative and theme. There are two or even more, however, that may belong to the same genre classification.

- By JERRY DONATO

Film enthusiasts and the public have until the first week of next year, 2025, to watch the 10 entries — “And the Breadwinner Is…,” “Espantaho,” “Green Bones,” “Hold Me Close,” “Isang Himala,” “My Future You,” “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital,” “The Kingdom,” “Topakk” and “Uninvited — and see for themselves how each film unfolds.

Given their titles and trailers, I wonder what about each official entry that would pique one’s attention and interest.

And here are my two cents: Although we’re familiar with the Pinoy diaspora and migration to different parts of the world for greener pastures, I’m excited to know the “hugot” of the main character Bambi Salvador, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in “And the Breadwinner Is.” The character’s “hugot” may encompass an emotional romantic heartbreak and an emotional filial heartbreak, with the nagging question: Which of the two is more heartbreaking?

In love life and family life, one makes sacrifices to make the relationship work and hopes that they are reciprocated and valued.

As one follows the familiar and unique story of Bambi, one may see what makes a breadwinner a winner. Is it the material gain, the family devotion, or something else?

From a family story, told in comedy and melodrama, “Espantaho” revolves around two families fighting over legal rights and the ownership of the house, with the pasiyam or nine-days prayer for the demise of a patriarch.

It can be deemed the conflict, but there’s a scarier conflict members of the house must deal with. The revelation of it and the root cause are what may make one get intrigued.

What or who should the characters be afraid of is a valid question: The people who antagonize them or the entity that lurks in the house or could be “endemic” to the community?