Fully Booked Screens Cinemalaya Films ‘Ñino’ and ‘Isda’ at the U-View
Posted by Zig Marasigan on Thursday, December 15, 2011 in Cinemalaya, Images, News, Trailers, Zig Marasigan
Cinemalaya had an exceptional line-up this year.
But for those of you who weren’t able to catch some of the film festival’s favorites, Fully Booked and IFC is screening Adolfo Alix’s Isda and Loy Arcenas’ Niño on Dec. 17 and 18 at the U-View Cinema, Fully Booked High Street.
ÑINO
Directed by Loy Arcenas
Screening at 3:00 pm on December 17, 2011, and 6:00 pm on December 18, 2011 at the U-View Basement Theater, Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.
The Lopez-Aranda family have long since lost its luster, and now the family is struggling to rekindle (or let go of) a life that has seen better days. Celia (Fides Cuyugan-Asensio), the supposed matriarch of the Lopez-Aranda household is now at odds with her son Mobic (Art Acuña) and her niece Racquel (Racquel Villavicencio) in an effort to keep them from selling their ancestral home.
On the surface, Arcena’s film seems wrapped in Filipino family drama clichés, but what lies underneath is a movie that is refreshing in its sincerity. The cast delivers more than a couple stellar performances from Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, Shamaine Buencamino, Raquel Villavicencio and Arthur Acuña, and despite the film’s rough start, Arcenas manages to skillfully lead the story into uncharted territory. The result is something moving and amazing.
ISDA
Directed by Adolfo Alix Jr.
Screening at 6:00 pm on December 17, 2011 and 3:00 pm on December 18, 2011 at the U-View Basement Theater, Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.
Lina (Cherry Pie Picache) and Miguel (Bembol Roco) are a couple preoccupied with settling into their new home in a dumpsite in Catmon, Malabon. However, as Miguel struggles to make a home for his wife, Lina looks to the future as she continues to yearn for a child of their own. But when Lina is discovered to be pregnant, Lina and Miguel’s relationship quickly deteriorates when Lina gives birth to a fish.
Alix’s familiar tale of family and love is expertly crafted into the realm of magical-realism. Despite the film’s out-of-this-world premise, Alix deftly skips the science and goes straight for the soul, hinging on the Filipino love for myths and family. Beautifully photographed and skillfully directed, Isda definitely stands out as something bigger than most fish in the sea.
Having personally seen both films at the festival earlier this year, I highly recommend cinephiles to reserve a seat for the weekend if they haven’t already. For more details on the Fully Booked Screenings, click here.
Thanks to @forg9578 for the tip. Lagare lang ng lagare.
