“The words are not good for the secret meaning, everything always becomes a bit different, as soon as it is put into words, gets distorted a bit, a bit silly—yes, and this is also very good, and I like it a lot, I also very much agree with this, that this what is one man’s treasure and wisdom always sounds like foolishness to another person.” ― Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha
In February 2006, then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in her pursuit of a "Strong Republic", proclaimed a State of Emergency through Presidential Proclamation 1017 to give her government Martial Law powers. Malacanang produced a documentary titled Paglaban sa Kataksilan: 1017 (1017: To Fight Treason). The Philippine Journalism Reports' (PJR's) editor asked me to write a review of… Continue reading SEEING TREASON: Justifying a State of Emergency in a documentary
I'm uploading this critique for my Film Theory and Criticism classes to read. by ©Jamal Ashley Abbas STORYLINE (The movie is based on the life of Anita Pamintuan, a schoolteacher who was found dead in the street during the height of the Public School Teachers’ strike) The film opens with credits and close-ups of… Continue reading Mila (2001) -The Invisible Hand of Hegemony
Since I am teaching Film Criticism and Film Theory, I am uploading some of my old film criticism essays so my students can easily access it. This is my critique of Jon Red's film Utang ni Tatang (2002). I gave Jon a copy and he quite liked it. The film starts with a lighted white… Continue reading Bakhtinian carnivalesque in a Pinoy film
DECEMBER 29, 2012 Today, Carmen Pedrosa wrote in her column in the Philippine Star: I have to see the film “El Presidente” to know if it does justice to Emilio Aguinaldo, a neglected hero. He offers many lessons to our present leaders. His role in the making of our nation has not been given its rightful place.… Continue reading El Presidente, the movie
With the demise of film director Marilou Diaz-Abaya, I am re-posting this film critique I did in Jan. 2002. The film is Bagong Buwan (New Moon). This is a once-in-a blue moon film and as I wrote then, it would take some time before Filipinos could see another one like it. Ms. Diaz-Abaya dreamed of a peaceful Mindanao… Continue reading Bagong Buwan, a Marilou Diaz-Abaya film
If you are wondering what old DVD film to watch, I highly recommend Pan's Labyrinth (2006). QUANTUM CINEMA : by Jamal Ashley Abbas A Postmodern Fairy Tale Once upon a time, a princess left her kingdom in the dark Underworld for the bright sunshine of terrestrial life. But the sun blinded her and erased her memory… Continue reading DVD PICK: Pan’s Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno)
Postprandial Musings, 2.0 