Cinemanila

Whenever I go home from Lauan, I choose a long and costly 5-vehicle ride rather than a speedy 3 just to get a chance to ride in LRT2. I love trains, especially LRT2; the strange ghost you feel when you ride. Anyway, I stopped by Gateway and remembering that they showcase Cinemanila today, I went to the cinemas and checked out.

I went in Persepolis (also here). It's a 2D animated adaptation of an Iranian girl's biography. It's a French film yet about someone Iranian. Weird since Iranian yet it was dubbed in French and roar, the film was almost black and white. 2D na nga, black and white pa. At first I was dissapointed. Why that film? Because the poster says it won jury prize in Cannes Film Festival. Wahaha.

Aside my bias, the film was goooood. If you liked Amelie, you'll like this one (I'm thinking French haven't got over that movie). Though different from Amelie since this girl in Persepolis is more sane (hehe, can't think of another). The movie is also political: covering a history of Iran's present situation and how women are treated there. The family is composed mostly of activists and I see a Marcos-type of regime all throughout. The Europe part (she went to Austria) is more of personal and funny. Nyeh, the film was funny all in all (kaya nga Amelie-like eh). Very entertaining and yet, disturbing in a way.

Cinemanila tickets are worth only 75 pesos (student price, normally 100). Quality movies for a very low price. I might go back there tomorrow for Volver (the Penelope Cruz movie where she was nominated for an Oscar). The festival is scheduled to end tomorrow, Sunday, but the guy there behind a table with Cinemanila stuffs said that it may be EXTENDED! Woohoo! Kaso mamumulubi parin ako kahit na 75 pesos lang yun. Calling Hannah and Anali!