Movie No. 59 (2014). Cinemalaya X: SUNDALONG KANIN
Sundalong Kanin (2014)
Director: Janice O'Hara
Cast: Nathaniel Brit, Isaac Cain Aguirre, Akira Morishita, Elijah Canlas, Marc Abaya, Ian De Leon, Paolo O'Hara, Enzo Pineda, Via Veloso, Che Ramos
I like this movie very much because it reminds me of the 1985 movie, Stand By Me, which is one of my all-time favorite movies. Sundalong Kanin, however, is more tragic. The movie tells how, in a remote barrio, several boys coming of age become determined to take part in defending the country as soldiers. They even make crude armory that look ridiculous. Although serious in their intention, their parents and the guerrilla fighters dismiss them. But some turn of events that have already taken away peace-and-order from the barrio will rekindle the children's determination to kill the enemies. In the process, new alliances form, loyalty shifts, friendships are put to test, people scheme, people make difficult choices, people get killed, and the war makes all these things worse.
Director: Janice O'Hara
Cast: Nathaniel Brit, Isaac Cain Aguirre, Akira Morishita, Elijah Canlas, Marc Abaya, Ian De Leon, Paolo O'Hara, Enzo Pineda, Via Veloso, Che Ramos
I like this movie very much because it reminds me of the 1985 movie, Stand By Me, which is one of my all-time favorite movies. Sundalong Kanin, however, is more tragic. The movie tells how, in a remote barrio, several boys coming of age become determined to take part in defending the country as soldiers. They even make crude armory that look ridiculous. Although serious in their intention, their parents and the guerrilla fighters dismiss them. But some turn of events that have already taken away peace-and-order from the barrio will rekindle the children's determination to kill the enemies. In the process, new alliances form, loyalty shifts, friendships are put to test, people scheme, people make difficult choices, people get killed, and the war makes all these things worse.
The cinematography has that requisite capability to transport the audience into the time in history that the events in the film are thought to have occurred. The narrative, while having the tendency to resort to melodrama, remain controlled and engaging. The performances of the young cast plus that of Marc Abaya's are simply great.
Rating: 3.5/4.0
Date seen: August 7, 2014
Comments