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Indie film takes realistic glimpse of Filipino youth

The Philippine Star 04/21/2005

What happens when dormant emotions explode into awakened brutality?
Such is the theme of UNE BLOC's first independent film project, Sa
Aking Pagkakagising Mula Sa Kamulatan (My Awakening From
Consciousness), a full length digital picture that takes a realistic
glimpse of the Filipino youth in the gut of Manila's urban gullies.
It tackles socially related-issues surrounding the intersecting
lives of marginalized, ordinary Manileños. Presented in a staggered
vista of correlated events, the movie explores the day-to-day
survival of the characters and their broken dreams, pent-up anger
and abnormal sexuality. Sa Aking Pagkakagising Mula Sa Kamulatan
conveys its message powerfully in a daring and unapologetic way–
using street lingo to its fullest.

The story unfolds one night when Rey, the docile and cowardly
teenaged student, played by award winning actor Carlo Aquino, is
mauled as he passes by a drinking spree of street toughies: Pogi,
(Ketchup Eusebio), Jopet (Cholo Barreto), Kahoy (Empoy Marquez) and
Taba (Indie actor Hector Macaso). The four release their sadistic
energy on him, transforming his handsome face into a bloody mess.
Braggart Pogi hates Rey for the simple reason that he secretly loves
Rey's girlfriend, Angel, ( a newcomer in a noontime show) who has a
clueless father (Bodgie Pascua). Jopet, a self-claimed police asset,
finds Rey a convenient substitute for pouring out his hatred for his
handler, Lakay (Lito Pimentel), a sadistic cop. The vagrant
barker/snatcher Kahoy and Taba, the bum, join in for the sake of
camaraderie. While Rey lies unconscious on the pavement, the group
continues drinking as if nothing happened. Some neighbors try to
intervene, but reluctant to get fully involved, back out later. Rey
regains consciousness and finds his tormentors drunk and asleep.
What happens next is anybody's guess.

Sa Aking Pagkakagising Mula Sa Kamulatan is the debut full-length
feature of independent filmmaker Ato M. Bautista from a screenplay
by Shugo Praico, cinematography by acclaimed director of photography
Odyssey `Odie' Flores (Magnifico, Kulimlim, Naglalayag), editing by
Richard Barnett, and original score by Achilles Gonzales. These same
people together with co-producers Jason Donato, Alfred Molo, David
Buenaventura, Cedric Hornedo, Ivan Despi, Simon Malimban, Holland
Lou Buela & Rosel Manahan-Cello are the young filmmakers behind UNE
BLOC. The team that despite the odds decided to go for broke to
independently produce what critiques have called a "unique shock-
cinema of international standard" that reminds us of the early works
of Scorsese & Coppola.

Sa Aking Pagkakagising Mula Sa Kamulatan is the first full-length
digital feature film to be released worldwide by Unitel Pictures,
Inc., the company that distributed American Adobo, Imelda, Crying
Ladies and Santa Santita. It will premiere locally at the Ayala Art
Film Cinema, Glorietta 1, on April 26, 7 p.m. A week-long run
follows at the same theater from May 4 to 10.

posted by < tofu kid> @ 12:11 PM