A Critique On The Sinulog Documentary and Short Film Festival 2016

CABATINGAN, PAULA JEN LOUISSE
FEBRUARY 11, 2016
HUM 1- B
A CRITIQUE ON THE SINULOG DOCUMENTARY
AND SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2016
I. ORIENTATION
FILM
1. Ang Bituon ug ang Barungoy
A grandmother and her granddaughter Tala spent their usual
storytelling time with an unusual story of a flying fishs and a stars
love for each other. Distance, the inability to reach each others hands
when they meet and the stars mother [Queen Moon] all made their
love difficult to pursue. Because the fish really wanted to be able to
touch the star, he tried his best to fly the highest he can, but
unfortunately failed and weakened. Knowing this, the star dared
sacrifice her life and let herself fall onto the earths surface and die
with the fish. Their death however, brought life to a new creature
which was later called a starfish, as it was a result of the couples love
for each other. Although the Queen Moon lost her daughter, she still
took good care of the starfish like it was her own, which ended the
story. The film closed with a scene revealing the grandmothers story
was her own real life story.
2. Lunchbox
A story about an OFWs family, their struggles, and their faith. The
principal of the school where a couples son studies talked to the
childs father about the misbehavior she has recently observed from
the student. The father denied that he may have overlooked his
duties as a father, which was contrary to what he has been doing.
The mother, an OFW, did not have a idea of her familys problem at
home, and never ceased to remind herself and her family of how their
faith could help better their lives. As the father realizes his wrongs,
the son sends a lunchbox to his mother abroad, bearing an image of
Snr. Sto. Nino inside it. The film ended with the mother going back
home and the complete family strengthened even more their faith to
the Almighty.
3. Igsuon
Two brothers spend time together along the roads, one riding a
bicylce, the other running with him. Everything went fine until the older
brother, the one who rode the bicycle, stopped somewhere and let his
younger brother wait. However, as curious as the young was, he
followed his brother and found out he was involved in drug trade.
Since then, the younger brother have been secretly following his
kuya, until one of his brothers pals found out about him, brought him
to the groups leader, and was punished by hitting a rock on his
forehead leaving him unconscious. The happening brought the older
brother to a realization that what he was doing was not right. He
asked sorry from their mother, who said everything will be fine under
the guidance and grace of the Holy Child Snr. Sto. Nino. Their faith,
the older brothers openness for change, and their mothers
understanding and unconditional love, brought them happy as a home
together.
DOCUMENTARY
1. Anne Savage
A documentary by UP Cebu Journalism and Photography Professor
Januar Yap, Anne Savage featured two tattoo artists whose love for
each other and their unwaivering faith to the Almighty changed their
hearts and made them experience the little miracles Snr. Sto. Nino
has to offer. Anne, whose name was the documentary title, first spoke
about her passion of tattooing and how this helped her survive and
overcome the shy, unconfident, and lonely person that she was. Her
partner shared about how he admired Anne and how their love came
about. He talked about how her family didnt like him at first and how
they went together looking for ways to survive everyday life without
their parents support. Their faith and love for Snr. Sto. Nino brought
them to the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino where they both cried, and
asked for guidance and more patience and courage to face their
problems. The Holy Child answered their prayers when the owner of
the apartment they were staying at offered them a space for their
tattoo shop at a cheap price which started their business together and
brought them to greater heights. This outpouring of blessings
strengthened their relationship with each other and their relationship
with the Lord, and all that they have been doing are offered to Him
who has helped them get through their greatest problems.
2. ARTISTRY
FILM
1. Ang Bituon ug ang Barungoy
The grandmothers and Talas casting were best fit for them and their
costumes were proper. Their setting, which was inside the bedroom
for the whole time made easy capturing the two at a proper angle with
appropriate lighting especially that they were just on the bed sitting
and lying down. The story of the Flying Fish and the star, which were
shown through animation were of good quality and did not appear to
be some cheap and hurriedly done looking animation.
2. Lunchbox
The effect of sadness was properly highlighted as the principal and
the father spoke about the sons problem through the lighting used.
The settings were appropriate and camera angles were enough to

highlight the person each character has expressed. This short film
obviously showed that the equipment used to shoot were high-end
and of good quality.
3. Igsuon
The very first noticeable aspect of the film was that the way it was
shot was really good. The settings gave justice to the story and the
audio was great. The cast also portrayed their characters so well,
highlighted through shots of proper angling. Music added to the
drama of the film. It was also obvious that the equipment were
professional tools.
DOCUMENTARY
1. Anne Savage
The flow of events were just right to make the viewers follow and
grasp the story and its main point. The interview was conducted
inside the couples tattoo shop which also showcased how great their
business has become through their faith and art. There were no off
moments throughout because of the sincerity the couple has shown in
sharing their story. Interviews from their customers and clients proved
how Anne and her partner has been renowned in their field even by
foreigners. The documentary showed the couples real emotions that
helped convey to the audience that faith and belief will bring people to
their successes,
III. ORGANIZATION
The venue was adequate to house all the audience inside the cinema to
watch. The festival, although was a little off during the introduction and
opening, still managed to be one of the books. May favorite film among
all was Ang Bituon ug ang Barungoy, because of how subtle yet
unexpected things have turned out to be in the end. The one-setting

film, though has not shown much movements than the other films, still
managed to compete well with the others in terms of techinicalities and
the story itself.
Because of the festival, I have learned the the Cebuano community has
a lot to offer in the fields of art, technology utilization, and in raising
public awareness of the things we all ought to know. I just wondered
how beautiful it would feel if I was one of those behind or in front of the
camera for film and documentary festivals like this, since I have long
dreamt of being part of a film or TV production. The Sinulog
Documentary and Short Film Festival 2016 has ignited this spark of me
even more.

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CABATINGAN, PAULA JEN LOUISSE

FEBRUARY 11, 2016

The settings were appropriate and camera angles were enough to

unexpected things have turned out to be in the end. The one-setting

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