The White Funeral (Sari Dalena, 1997)

...evoking a Maya Deren in Philippine Cinema

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE WHITE FUNERAL
PUTING PAALAM
Philippines
1997
29 Min
DIR Sari Raissa Lluch Dalena
CAST Myra Beltran, Hayuma Habulan
ED Sari Raissa Lluch Dalena
DP Regiben Romana
MUSIC Joey Ayala

My unworthy words: 

The film illustrates the dynamic cycle of life and death. Using a rich imagery of symbols, superpositions and animation, Sari lyrically explores the destruction of Lahar in Zambales and the fate of its victim. It looks like a companion piece to TREE OF LIFE (2011) and Aureaus Solitos' ANG MAIKLING BUHAY NG APOY (1995). The film was so powerful I dropped a tear.

Ciao!

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The Truth Now Above All Else

...

As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty (2000)

Cinema, at this point of my life, has never revealed itself as some piece of entertainment. Cinema has never entertained me fully. Should I be mad at this discovery? Nor that it showed itself as a political fad antagonizing forms, dividing categories instead of fusing them. Nor that it has shown itself an intellectual porridge one gets to eat when one feels inadequate or blunt. Cinema is something not to be thought upon, as some intellectuals put it so well; but it is something to be seen, something to be experienced, something to be remembered. Disappearing behind me are the prejudices, the politics, the intellectual profanities I had endured, all gone. All what is left are fragments, memories, feelings, the joy of seeing an image.

 "I am thinking about myself, I am thinking how during the years how I have covered myself with layers of civilizations. So many layers that now even myself I don't see how easily wounds are made deep inside... What do I know about this civilization, this life? I know nothing. I do not understand anything. And I know nothing... I do not know how I reached this point of my life. But I continue moving ahead. Slowly, moving ahead. And some glimpses of happiness and beauty come my way by chance. I do not even expect. So I keep moving ahead." - Jonas Mekas

Ciao!
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