MOVIE TO SOOTHE THE SAVAGE BREAST
By: Mario A. Hernando
MALAYA Weekend
July 19, 2008
WELL, in his original quote, Shakespeare meant music. But Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil’s Unicef-supported film “BOSES,” an entry in the current Cinemalaya film festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, will soothe the uneasy, fearful, troubled breast. That happens with a tortured boy (played by an absolute newcomer and non-actor, Julian Duque) who is brought to a (private) shelter to protect him from his abusive, alcoholic father, a monster of a man played frightfully well by Ricky Davao.
The story tackles child abuse, healing, and friendship-without being preachy and didactic. Never has a local movie integrated social advocacy and the promotion of classical music so seamlessly, movingly, and beautifully. When the movie ended during the gala night Wednesday, the audience rose to its feet clapping widely, and cheering the filmmakers and actors especially Duque who may next year wrest from Jiro Manio the honor of being the youngest best actor awardee in local movies, at age seven.
Now this is movie collaboration at its creative best, from director and writers (Froi Medina and Rody Very), cinematographer (Nap Jamir), production designer, music scorer, and editor, to the cast. A real-life musician and another non-actor, Coke Bolipata, essays his role as recluse, grieving widower, violinist, and music advocate with ease and naturalism. Cherry Pie Picache, wonderful as usual, is equally great in a low-key role as the shelter’s administrator who runs the place like a stern mother superior.
Throughout the movie, the audience was crying buckets, and they were shedding tears of joy-from the drama that’s going on, from the music that assaults and soothes the nerves, and the movie as a whole.
