In the Arms of the Tree

 Iranian Film Festival 2025
Cultural Exchange Program - Iran/ Philippines

Cinema 3, Shangri-la Plaza Cinemas

Iran has a vibrant film industry. Some of their films mirror the tumultuous and volatile political landscape as well as feature the complex everyday lives of ordinary people. I figure this can be applicable to any nation with a rich, colorful history and a populace that has endured so much through the years.

Filmed in its official language, Persian/Farsi with English subtitles (naturally), In the Arms of the Tree explores the complicated situation of Kimia and Farid. After 12 years, Kimia is seeking divorce as she is beset with a trauma/phobia which affects her mobility. 

They have not yet informed their young sons, 11 year old Taha and 5 year old Alisan about the divorce. Farid wants Taha to live with him as he has started to inculcate his eldest son to be a responsible son, brother and eventually take over the family business. While the youngest would go with his mother. This would disrupt the close bond of the siblings, as the impact of any form of separation/divorce would naturally be most felt by the innocent children.

Shot mostly outdoors in rural Iran, the latter part of the movie intensifies. We are kept on the edge of our seats with mixed emotions, sensing the desperation of both Kimia and Farid and like them we find ourselves praying that it won't end up in tragedy.  

A melodramatic tale about the effects of a marital discord on the lives of the children as well as between the couple themselves. Effective performances from the cast, especially the actress who portrays Kimia, her anguish was palpable and added to the intensity of the dramatic scenes.

The simple rural settings of a small town that is not yet swallowed up technology is a refreshing change from today's decaying society obsessed by instant gratification, a fast paced lifestyle and the onslaught of artificial intelligence.

The Dancing Okami

Japan Film Festival Special Program
Journey through Japan on Screen in Manila 2025

Cinema 1, Red Carpet Cinemas

Edsa Shangri la Mall 

I missed the run of the Japanese Film Festival because I was in Hongkong from 03 January to the 9th of February 2025. Luckily, this weekend they had a special screening of a few Japanese movies but I was able to secure only one ticket (35 pesos booked online with QR code) because the others quickly sold out. 

First of all, an okami refers to the traditional manager (specifically females) of a Japanese inn known as ryokan or onsen (spa). They are the driving force behind the success of many resorts in rural as well as urban Japan. There are whole towns in Japan known for its traditional ryokans which locals as well as tourists visit for much needed R & R.

Yuka is a young lady fascinated with tap dancing so she ventures to Tokyo to hopefully become a famous tap dancer. But after several auditions which don't go in her favor, she decides to go back to her hometown after her mother, an okami falls ill. Putting her tap dancing dreams on hold, she has to step up and learn the ropes of becoming an okami so she can take over the family business.  Back home is a gorgeous rural small town in the Kaga Onsen region, where everything is simplified, less hectic but still peppered with interesting and colorful characters. 

For a supposed to be dancer, she is pretty clumsy and has difficulty in her training as a landlady. Being an okami is hard work, one must be equipped with special skill sets not just in doing physical chores but also maintain a proper decorum with impeccable character and integrity.

The film then pretty much turns into a tourism campaign of the various inns and onsens of the Ishikawa Perfecture in the Kaga Onsen region. A contest is launched in the small town so Yuka along with her fellow okami trainees, decide on an extensive song and dance presentation featuring what else but tap dancing. The other land ladies all struggle with the steps yet persevere until the very end in order to showcase the onsen industry.

Good acting from the ensemble cast as you can truly feel their struggle in their dancing lessons, this inspiring tale of guts and glory towards a common goal - to promote the beauty of their town - will likely motivate the audience to never quit on their dreams, even if the journey is paved with obstacles, to keep dancing, with a never say die attitude and a whole lot of perseverance.  Everything is worth it, in the end!

The Teacher's Lounge

 KinoFest: The German Film Festival
The Red Carpet, Shangri la Plaza Cinema

Besieged by a series of thefts in a local school where pupils and even teaching staff are suspects, The Teacher's Lounge explores the length a newly hired idealistic math teacher would go to expose injustice in their diverse community. The admin zeroes in on the immigrant students as suspects, now known as racial profiling. Yet when teacher Carla herself becomes a victim of theft, she goes all out to accuse the perpetrator (the staff is the mother of one of her bright students) whom she caught on  video using the webcam of her laptop. It sends the entire high school into a web of suspicion, speculation, with a myriad of lies and half truths.

The film unfolds within the claustrophobic walls of the school, without any semblance nor background into the lives of the characters especially Carla. We can ascertain she is idealistic, righteous and wants fairness in everything she does. Nothing personal in terms of relationship status is revealed about her.

The tale progresses at a slow pace but is packed with gripping drama as the investigation takes its toil on the students, the other teachers and especially on Carla. Her idealism and her strong sense of justice is questioned, examined and put to the test as she weaves through the fallout of her accusation. Students acting out in rage specifically Oskar whose mother is the 'suspected' thief, the student council publishing a scathing article about her integrity, the other teachers distancing themselves from her, and even a disruptive PTA meeting.  

All these heavy emotions don't go lightly as the audience is also torn between rooting for Carla yet at the same time, also maligning the deceptive method she used to catch the thief. The ensemble cast of mostly kids and the actress portraying teacher Carla do well to project their characters insecurities and fears. The film concludes without any firm resolution, yet it leaves a lasting impression about our own biased assumptions about how we treat other human beings especially when so called 'bad' things happen to us. 

Wedding High

 Japan Film Festival 
Online 2024

I tend to watch Japanese movies laden with conflict, personalities with strong character development, focusing on sensitive issues like suicide or bullying and/or samurai themed films. 

For a change, I chose Wedding High because it is a comedy.

It did not disappoint. It was a riot.

The story revolves around a couple getting married, from the planning stage, to the actual wedding ceremony and the reception. Mostly seen through the eyes of the seasoned wedding planner who has her hands full with all the 'problems' that she needs to iron out to ensure a smooth, happy wedding.

Anyone who has planned a wedding knows the abundant amount of stress that comes with it and a Japanese wedding ceremony is no exception. You have relatives (from both sides) and friends offering themselves as 'entertainment' like lasso roping, performing magic and escape tricks, to the fillet of an actual tuna by the father of the bride - certainly eccentric yet also quite amusing. To further complicate the melee, throw in the ex boyfriend of the bride with his sinister plot and a burglar, who all give us an interesting insight into the essence of humor in the Japanese culture.

I found it interesting that the plot featured the background stories of some characters from the wedding entourage like the videographer friend, the groom's boss watching comedy shows so he can deliver a funny, anecdotal speech and the poignant life story of the wedding planner.

The 'wedding story' clocks in with almost 2 hours of fun entertaining narratives and side plots all unfolding seamlessly. The ensemble cast of quirky characters with their colorful lives added flavor to this comedy with an unexpected twist towards the end. 

Be warned, you might need to put on your sleuth hat to piece together the different parts of the puzzle.

Don't worry, it isn't rocket science! 

I am what I am

 Japan Film Festival
Online 2024

Kasumi is a 30 year old single female. At her age, her family is worried she won't settle down so they set her up with a potential prospect who I would say is "husband material". The son of the owner of a ramen shop where Kasumi is a regular customer.

There is one problem, though.

Kasumi is not interested. She does not fit the mold of a single Japanese female looking for a partner to settle down, raise a family and live happily ever after. 

You see, Kasumi is asexual. This refers to someone who is not sexually attracted to a person of any gender. It is actually quite common nowadays among the younger generation. After a few serious dates, Kasumi expressly mentions to 'potential husband' that she is not in any way attracted to him. A sort of it's not you, it's me, so don't take it personally situation.

The film is interesting and refreshing as it delves into the lead character's persona without any judgement, condemnation nor mockery about her preference. Kasumi seems content with her job in a nursery for small kids after she has given up her dream to become a cellist. She has a good social life, a few friends who are supportive and her family even though they don't really understand her status, they have more or less accepted her fate.

In Japan with its age old traditions steeped with cultural and historical dimensions, an older generation getting older and a persistent decline in the child birth rate, it is rare that a film focuses on a sensitive subject dealing with gender preferences and sexualism. More often than not, they are misunderstood, jeered for not conforming to society's ideals of normalcy. But seeing Kasumi thrive,  we learn to accept her new normal and it doesn't require much effort on our part.

Yet in a universe where there is too much hatred, bashing (for lack of a better word) and violent reactions both online and in the real world, it pays to be kind, tolerant and more agreeable to live freely without any prejudices towards our fellow human beings, no matter their race, gender, religious beliefs and whatever else we judge people with these days.

My broken Mariko

Japan Film Festival
Online 2024

 

We are introduced to Mariko through a breaking news on the TV in a small diner, an office worker Tomoyo hears and see it on the telly. The news story is about a young lady who committed suicide by jumping off the balcony of her residence. Tomoyo instantly recognized the suicide victim whose name is flashed across the screen. Mariko was her troubled childhood classmate.  Mariko was physically and mentally abused by her parents her entire life.

Tomoyo takes leave from her work to pay her respects to her childhood friend. She ends up stealing the urn containing Mariko's ashes from her despicable parents, vowing to give her friend a true, final tribute. A much better send off than what she experienced throughout her miserably troubled past. A road trip ensues as Tomoyo travels by train, bus to the farthest corner of Japan to a seaside town which Mariko always talked and dreamed about in her youth.

Guided by some letters written by Mariko which Tomoyo found in her lil trove chest, we are introduced to the sweet, kind hearted yet clingy Mariko through flashbacks. Often poor Mariko is covered with bruises on her face and her body yet she is always smiling and a dear friend toTomoyo.

It isn't easy to watch a film that explores suicide, grief and misery but the way it was presented to a captive audience is through light hearted moments between the two friends. No physical altercation is shown on screen but it is truly implied that poor Mariko was a victim of abuse. 

I guess that suicide is a common occurrence in Japan. Most if not all Japanese films that deal with this sensitive subject is ingrained with deep, mixed emotions. It isn't sensationalized nor glorified and neither does it dwell too much on the act of killing oneself. Focusing instead on the varied reasons why a growing number of these cases happen. Peer pressure, depression, non comformity to society's norms to name a few. Each of these 'reasons' are valid and I don't intend to belittle those who choose to end their lives instead of bearing the struggles, the trials and tribulations of life.

"My broken Mariko" in its simplicity is able to draw us into the emotional journey of Tomoyo's quest  to give her dear friend a fitting tribute so that even if only in her death, she would have felt loved, not neglected by her parents, her peers and society in general.

We made a beautiful bouquet

 Japanese Film Festival
Online 2024

 

The Japan Foundation organized the 3rd Japanese Film Festival online featuring 23 films of different genre that run for two weeks, from June 5 (12 noon) to June 19 (12 noon), 2024. The subsequent two weeks from June 19 noon to July 3 noon, 2024, they will be streaming full episodes of two (2) TV drama series. Simply register at the official website, log in and start streaming the movies. Subtitles in several languages are available. 23 Japanese movies is alot to watch in a span of two weeks so I just picked the ones which piqued my interest.

My first choice is an anatomy of a love story between a young couple with many common interests and hobbies. A chance meeting when they both miss the last train home, they end up spending time at a diner/cafe discussing a myriad of topics and discovering they are on the same wavelength. Missing a train home surely sucks but if this means that you get to meet the love of your life then it must be fate. 

Kinu and Mugi's love story spans 5 years before the cracks surface, and unfortunately fizzles out. Not really a spoiler, mind you. Because as the audience can clearly see, from the second or third year of their relationship, their bond slowly and sadly begin to drift apart. Even though they live together in an apartment with a stunning view of a bridge, their seemingly idyllic set up turns into a haven of lonely desperation. 

By then, we are clearly invested in them and keep wishing that they would try harder to make it work. We talk back to the screen, almost screaming at them that Migu should be more attentive towards her and not bury himself in his job. While we also wish we could shake Kinu and tell her to be more understanding of Migu's need to be the main provider in their household. An interesting aspect is presented towards the ending when both Migu and Kinu still thinking alike, equally decide that separation is the best and only option for them. Such maturity is rare, especially in the youth nowadays.

Couples breaking up isn't easy to watch in any language or form, whether on the screen or in real life yet it does happen regardless if they are Asian or European. Or whether they are in their 20s, 30s or even in their 60s. Yet to see it from a Japanese perspective, with young actors portraying really relatable and well developed characters is refreshing in many ways. "We Made a Beautiful Bouquet" is a well made film about a couple's break up because it was emotionally raw, and humanely portrayed without any shouting matches, or some melodramatic third party angle. In my book, hysterics serve no purpose in a break up movie.

The Holdovers

 Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph
Dominic Sessa, Carrie Preston

"Discomfort and Joy"

2024 Oscar Awards

Da'Vine Joy Randolph: Best Supporting Actress Winner
Paul Giamatti: Best Actor Nominee
Best Picture Nominee
Best Original Screenplay Nominee

Last March 18, I caught the first part of this movie on our flight to Singapore yet fell asleep mid way as it was an early morning flight. So I decided to re-watch it from the beginning during our return flight back home on March 24. Even though I was exhausted from the Singapore vacation, I managed to stay awake to finish the entire movie, after eating a really delicious dinner on Singapore Airlines.

Set in the 1970s in an all boys New England prep school called Barton, you can't help but compare "The Holdovers" with "Dead Poets Society. It is also a tale of a teacher who makes a huge impact on the lives of his students. 

While Robin Williams was an inspirational presence to an entire class, here Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham is not a well loved teacher. He is a grumpy, no fuss teacher with no bedside manners yet he is also a brilliant intellect. When he is assigned to 'babysit' a bunch of 'holdovers' or students with nowhere to go during Christmas break, he forms an improbable bond with Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), a troubled student with dysfunctional family issues. To 'defrost' the icy, sardonic Mr Hunham, there is the kind hearted cook of the school, Mary (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) who is mourning the lost of her son in the Vietnam War. 

The film picks up when Mr Hunham, together with Angus and Mary go on a road trip to visit Angus's father who happens to be in a mental institution. Guards are down as three distinctly different characters bond over a simple meal. Their interaction is where the film shines. Relying purely on the credible acting skills of its stars, bouyed by a dialogue driven script unfolding in rural America in the early 1970s, "The Holdovers" succeeds on its own merit. 

It manages to warm our hearts with a good inspirational story of compassion and friendship with the right blend of light comedy and heavy drama  dealing with sensitive issues like grief and mental illness. Without any fancy special effects to distract us from the true essence of a feel good movie.

Killers of the Flower Moon

 Leo Di Caprio, Robert de Niro, Lily Gladstone
Jesse Plemons, Brendan Fraser, John Lithgow

2024 Oscar Awards

Best Picture Nominee
Lily Gladstone: Best Actress Nominee
Robert de Niro: Best Supporting Actor Nominee
Martin Scorsese: Best Director Nominee

Leo di Caprio and Robert de Niro are enough reason to watch any movie. Cue in the Martin Scorsese as its director and the refreshing presence of Lily Gladstone as Mollie the central character who holds everything and everyone together in this intriguing tale, one is guaranteed to be entertained.

Based on the non fiction novel (I haven't read because who has time to read, these days?) of the same title by David Grann, it took Scorsese several years to film due to the disruptive pandemic and he also had to convince the Osage nation to help him in the filming of this grand saga. Naturally, it is a delicate issue when it comes to dealing with the struggles that Native Americans endured in the glorious past.

Set in Oklahoma in the 1920s, the story revolves around the Osage Indian tribe's rise to success after discovering oil in their ancestral lands. Any success, be it earned or achieved is always riddled with long tedious murky struggles. In other words, everything comes at a price. 

Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo di Caprio) is a second World War veteran who returns home in Oklahoma to stay with his uncle Bill (Robert de Niro) and his brother Byron (Scott Shepard). Eager to make his mark after the gruelling war, he hits the jackpot when he meets Mollie (Lily Gladstone). She is a wealthy Osage lady with rights to oil profits from her land. Soon enough, Ernest and Mollie marry and start a family. Yet the question lingers, did he marry her for love or for her oil rights?

Volatile times abound as some Osage tribe members are murdered under mysterious circumstances and Mollie is determined to get to the bottom of these unsolved cases. Voilence, mayhem, power grabbing, and intrigues are the norm in Osage nation as affluence can corrupt the hearts of greedy, unscrupulous even God fearing men (and women).

Running at 3 hours and 26 minutes with several characters thrown into the mix, dialogue in English, some French and the Osage dialect and a vivid cinematography of the Oklahome landscape, in essence the film efficiently chronicled the trials and tribulations of the Osage nation. From a state of hopelessness to sudden boom with the discovery of oil. From being respected members of society to being taken advantage of and even murdered by selfish, greedy 'white people'. This film had all the tell-tale signs for a good caliber movie, too bad it took over 3 long hours to make its point.

The Zone of Interest

 2024 Oscar Awards

Best International Film Feature (UK) Winner

Best Sound Winner

This movie is loosely based on the late British author Martin Amis's book that focuses on Rudolf Hoss, the extremely driven commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Austria. "The Zone of Interest" refers to the area surrounding the death camp. 

English Director Jonathan Glazer filmed near the actual camp in Auschwitz  which is now a memorial museum. He also built a replica of the Hoss's residence. Dialogue is in German, with certain compelling and powerful scenes shot in night vision juxtaposed within the movie that was presented in vivid shots against a drab, gloomy background. Glazer did an excellent job by seamlessly blending scenes of a happy family with sounds of destruction and mayhem from the camp. No wonder, it won the Oscar award for Best in Sound. 

The film centers on the family life of the Nazi commander in a modest house with lush gardens and swimming pool just a few meters away from the site where millions of Jews were killed in gas chambers. We see him, his wife Hedwig and their 5 children living in pure oblivion of the horrors behind the perimeter fence. A normal, almost clinical existence with full household help at their beck and call yet we don't get any sense of extravagance. They were quite ordinary during an extraordinary period in history.

We are not shown any gruesome scenes of the atrocities committed against the Jewish people but long angle shots will reveal the smoke billowing from the chimneys in the camp. At some point, it seemed like it was snowing but actually it was from the ashes of the prisoners. Eerie sounds of gunfires, of people screaming, dogs barking echoes in the background during a family dinner. We have the ladies of the household trying on clothes which were evidently taken from the female prisoners. Mrs Hoss (Sandra Huller) even boasted that she found a diamond hidden in a toothpaste so she instructed the help to buy all the toothpaste they could find. 

Beyond all that, we can be forgiven to think of them as any ordinary German family living in a small town with their own dreams and aspirations, just like the rest of us. But we must never ever forget what the Nazis did to the Jewish people. Because to deny, or even forget it ever happened would be a greater crime to human kind. 

Kudos for winning two Oscar awards, Best Sound and Best International Film Feature (UK).