Two Standouts in Cinemalaya’s Indie Festival
By: Nestor U. Torre
Philippines Daily Inquirer
Saturday Special, July 19, 2008
Compromised identity
A distinct pleasure to watch is ELLEN ONGEKEKO-MARFIL’s “BOSES”, which delves into the unusual bond that unexpectedly develops between a morose violinist (Coke Bolipata) and a battered boy.
The boy, Onyok, is brought to a shelter run bu the violinist’s sister (Cherry Pie Picache), after his father (Ricky Davao)beat him up and used his back as an ashtray. Completely traumatized, the boy loses his voice, hence the film’s ironic title.
More eloquent
It turns out, however, that the boy eventually finds another, more eloquent voice in the music he creates with the violin, which he learns to play under the master violinist’s tutelage.
The film inspires because it shows that the boy isn’t the only one who benefits from the relationship: The violinist is so heartened by his musical prodigy’s progress and becomes so protective of him that he eventually forgets his own traumatic experience, and learns to live for others.
True, the movie is too “arty” at times, and the death of the violinist’s beloved (Meryll Soriano) is too melodramatically staged-but, “BOSES” compensates for these and other low points with its stirring depiction of two losers who end up winning big.
The film is made even more compelling by the stirring performances turned in by the boy who plays Onyok, Davao, Picache-and, most of all, by Bolipata, who moves us not only with his unexpectedly felt and insightful portrayal, but also with his musical performance, which is an overwhelming experience.
A famous musician once told us that Bolipata is one of the world’s finest string artist. Now, we know why: The amazing evidence is there for all to belatedly marvel at in “BOSES”.
