Dynamic Duos

"Boses" and "Confessional" bowled me over. The first, a Cinemalaya film, the second, Cinema One Originals' triumphant Best Picture, and Star Awards' Best Digital Picture.

Both I saw in the "Big Day" of Cinemalaya, usually the last Saturday before the Awards Night.
It is the most jampacked day, when word of mouth has taken over, and more people flock, last-minute to catch the films.

"Boses" is classic. "Confessional" is innovative, and truly representative of how far digital cinema can go, and how refreshing it can be.

The child violinist in "Boses" may well be one of the best discoveries ever offered by the independent movement. The child abuse victim who finds therapy in music is actually an 8-year old wizard who, in real life, has been accepted at the famous Julliard School of Music!

For that reason alone, the kid with captivating acting performance, "Boses" is a major triumph. The film is replete with surprising special moments, when the Bolipata violinist shares a scene with the child wonder. It is a casting duet coup that carries the whole movie.

"Confessional" shows us how exciting this unstoppable independent film movement can be.

From innovative shots, to a breakthrough script defying the usual, it boasts of a distinct style without alienating the audience. The tandem of the ex-mayor and the naive documentarian is, like the "Boses" duo, a partnership to cherish.

If "Confessional" was a Cinemalaya entry, it will beat all competition. It's what digital cinema is all about. It singlehandedly explains what we're missing in mainstream cinema.

It's a digital movie that knows how to maximize the format, and doesn't behave like a 35-mm motion picture. All its effects, and visual experimentations fit the medium.

Preceded by a short film, the way "Darjeeling Limited" was, the short film enhances the main film, and by itself, the short film was also exceptional.

I was finding the right reason where all these digital films are going, and "Confessional" left me spellbound how exciting the possibilities are for indies.

"Confessional's" tone is also a welcome one. It doesn't go "weird" but it is unique and truly a defined style. Naturally different not just for uniqueness' sake.

Belatedly, my discovery of "Confessional" is a treasure I'll keep.

The ex-mayor should be a shoo-in for the coming Urian Awards honoring the best actor of 2007.

And in the next 2008 Urian, let "Boses" child wonder take his well-deserved bow.

What a rewarding indie day it has been for me.