Journey of Eros

It was Sir JP (whose film Hilo had a world premiere at the recent Cinemalaya Festival) who introduced us to Dogme 95, an avant-garde filmmaking movement started in 1995 by the Danish directors, with the film Festen, which is considered as Dogme number 1. The film class instantly fell in love with the movie even though its suject is not lovable, so to speak. My female classmates thought the main character was cute too, their infatuation was obviously due to the actor’s great acting. As I myself easily get attracted to good performers, I understood their admiration as valid.

The story is rather simple. Respected family patriarch and businessman Helge is celebrating his 60th birthday at their magnificent villa. Gathered together are his loyal wife, Elsa, his daugther Helene, his sons Michael and Christian and other guests. 

Without any warning, Christian makes a speech to the family in which he accuses Helge of sexually abusing him and his late sister, Linda. His family and friends friends initially reject the accusations and try to avoid or ignore the issue. Christian battels with their responses in a way that echoes his own battle to accept the truth that he has smothered for so long. (Synopsis copied from Wikipedia.)

It’s the style and the concept behind the production that caused admiration to all of us. That admiration was extended to the person who introduced such film to us. As my former professor put it, mukhang nasilaw kami sa liwanag. Sir JP also took us to the world of less known artists, John Casevetes and Mike Leigh, whose works serve as his inspiration. Half way during that semester, he gleamed upon learning that we took extra time to watch the film he recommended "Babae sa Breakwater" which he adores.

Festen is one of the best examples of naturalist films where everything is depicted real within the realms of here and now. As I couldn’t find it in Carriedo, I was hoping that Sir JP would let me borrow his copy. Badly need it for my report in Naturalism. Hopes all gone after I texted him, I think I can persuade the class to believe that Dancer in the Dark is an example of Dogme 95, though it isn’t since the director of that film confessed he broke the law of the movement by using articial music and studio.

I just hope nobody reacts.

Forrest Gump is right to say that life is like a box of chocolate, you’ll never know what you’re gonna get. I found my favorite chocolates yesterday in Carriedo.

Secrets and Lies by Mike Leigh / Dancer in the Dark by Lar Von Tier / Pepi, Lucy and Bom by Pedro Almodovar / Irreversible by Gaspar Noe/ Salo by Piere Paolo Pasolini / Don’t Tell by Cristina Comencini / Belle de Jour by Luis Buñuel

The DVD store attendant was kind enough to let me know that they have a new set of classic films scattered on the floors, still in bundles. Hmm, I now realize that they refer art and foreign language films as classic. I grabbed those that my money could afford. A guy was browsing too and kept on asking me if I have seen this and that, giving suggestions and movie plots - reminds me of spoilers. 

I’d certainly be back next week. If I’d be lucky again, I could find another rare collection. Envious was I when a friend told me she had found a DVD copy of Almodovar’s film collection in Carriedo. Though she was willing to share it with me, I still wanted to have my own copy. Unfortunately, my search seems to have been futile. Hmm, maybe she was just pulling my leg since I’m an Almodovar fan.

I miss her, Jacqui, she who gave me a VCD copy of Y Tu Mama Tambien on my 20th birthday.