The best picture of 2006 (so far)
STARBYTES By Butch Francisco
The Philippine Star 08/10/2006
We already have a best picture for 2006. And the winner is – drum roll – Kubrador!
Now, if something even more superior comes along this year, then all the better for the local film industry. But Kubrador – as directed by Jeffrey Jeturian – is a tough act to beat.
From the start of the film, it is already impressive – but without calling attention to itself. Kubrador’s opening is done a movie device referred to in local film lingo as tuhog – where the action flows continuously, disregard editing points and without the director shouting, Cut! (Tuhog, incidentally, is also the title of Jeturian’s best film – before Kubrador, that is).
That entire opening sequence is a marvel in itself because it is difficult to do since it goes through alleyway after alleyway that seems to be populated by 10 million people who all cooperate with the production people. This is a directorial feat because you orchestrate the movements of countless movie extras who have no acting experience behind them. It was like directing The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur, except that Jeturian doesn’t use professional Hollywood extras with Screen Actors’ Guild cards.
The opening scene actually serves its purpose well because it introduces the moviegoers to the events that are about to unfold in the film.
Written by Ralston Jover, Kubrador follows the day-to-day life of a jueteng bet collector as portrayed by Gina Pareño. The film has no major conflicts. The movie instead makes us realize that we already have enough conflicts in our day-to-day existence.
Each day is a battle not only for the poor, but also for the rich – as shown by the character played by Johnny Manahan as a jueteng operator who has to make the corrupt among government officials happy by giving them grease money regularly. (Look closely at those small brown envelopes when you see this movie.)
There are no shock values in Kubrador either – nothing of the extraordinary, maybe except for that one scene in the film where there is a shooting incident in the cemetery on All Saints’ Day. But then, didn’t that really happen one All Saints’ Day at a popular memorial park?
What is shocking to me is the fact that a producer – lawyer Joji Alonso – would gamble on a film like Kubrador, which has no commercial value and is merely banking on merit (oh, it has plenty!). But I hope and pray she wins the jackpot on this one. (Those who keep saying that Filipinos do lousy pictures better watch this film so that you’d all shut up).
I fervently wish it would take the same route followed last year by Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros. After winning accolades in film festivals abroad – which is what is happening to Kubrador at the moment (hurray for Filipino films!) – the movie eventually gets shown commercially in local theaters where there is an audience waiting for it. I hope the exact thing happens to Kubrador – even better.
I don’t think it would be a blockbuster hit like Sukob (but I’m hoping in my heart it would), but word of mouth about what a great film it is may just prolong its showing at the theaters.
Of course, Kubrador is different from Ang Pagdadalaga. Ang Pagdadalaga somehow has little cute humorous scenes here and there, while Kubrador is more serious.
But that doesn’t necessarily make Kubrador any less interesting than Ang Pagdadalaga. Kubrador may not have big scenes, but every moment is engrossing – and that is the magic of the film.
The artistic success of the film may also be attributed to lead star Gina Pareño and there is only one word to describe her in the movie: Natural. Okay, I will make those two words: Naturally great.
Ms. Pareño had always been an exceptionally good actress – way back during her Sampaguita Pictures days. But this time, she gives the best performance of her life.
And now that we have a best picture in Kubrador (which was graded A only the other day by the Cinema Evaluation Board), I will move on to best actress and my bet (not in the next jueteng draw, but in the awards races next year) is none other than Gina Pareño.
She only has to worry about Cherry Pie Picache, who plays a butch in Brillante Mendoza’s Kaleldo. But other than Ms. Picache, Gina Pareño is the strongest contender for best actress.
Other lead actresses are well-advised to put off writing their acceptance speeches until the year after next and make way for the veteran.
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200608101702.htm*******
Inquirer
Last updated 00:15am (Mla time) 08/10/2006
Published on Page D1 of the August 10, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) has given an “A” rating to “Kubrador”—a film that chronicles three days in the life of a jueteng collector—citing “effortless storytelling” as one of the reasons for the distinction.
The Jeffrey Jeturian movie is the first film to be given an “A” rating this year, according to CEB chair Christine Dayrit.
“‘Kubrador’ is technically excellent,” Dayrit told Inquirer Entertainment on Tuesday. “The characterization is well-developed. Its director is well-motivated and very keen on details. It may be a social commentary on jueteng, but it is not preachy.”
All-out support
The “A” rating entitles “Kubrador” to a 100-percent amusement tax rebate. As an added incentive, the CEB will pay for Jeturian and lead actress Gina Pareño’s trip to the 11th Pusan International Film Festival in Korea on Oct. 15-18.
Dayrit said MLR Films, “Kubrador” producer, gets to reimburse from the CEB the $2,000 used for the movie’s subtitling and the P65,000 spent for printing.
““Kubrador” is the first digital film to receive such support from the CEB,” Dayrit pointed out. “We will also coordinate with the Department of Tourism and the Philippine consulate in Korea to help promote the film there. We hope Filipinos in Korea would be able to watch it.”
Jeturian said he is very thankful to the CEB, as “this will help my producer recoup her investment.”
Joji Alonso, executive producer, said her production team was “hoping for an “A” rating, but didn’t expect it.”
She added: “It’s hard to determine how people here would react to it. Although people in other countries liked the film, we’re still not sure if the reaction here would be the same.”
Only last month, “Kubrador” bagged four of the five major awards in the Osian Cinefan Festival of Asian Cinema in New Delhi, India. The movie won Best Film, Best Director for Jeturian and Best Actress for Pareño, and brought home its second International Federation of Film Critics (Fipresci) jury prize.
Last week, “Kubrador” received its 12th international film fest invitation. It will be screened at the 2nd International Eurasia Film Festival in Antalya, Turkey, Sept. 16-23.
Film market
The Pusan film fest will coincide with the 1st Asian Film Market, also in Korea, where a Philippine delegation is set to attend. Directors Joyce Bernal, Cirio Santiago, Ray Malonzo, and producers Tony Gloria, Vincent del Rosario, Lily Monteverde, Tikoy Aguiluz have all agreed to participate, said Dayrit.
Dayrit added that the $1,700 needed for the use of a 40-sq.m. booth at the film market will be shouldered by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). “We will also produce a brochure and a video wherein all the films we will sell in the event will be listed,” said Dayrit, who is also the FDCP vice chair.
Starting Aug. 16, “Kubrador” will be shown in theaters at SM Mall of Asia, Glorietta 4, Market Market, SM Megamall, Gateway Mall Cubao, Robinson’s Ermita and Cinerama Recto.
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