Indie film takes realistic glimpse of Filipino youth

What happens when dormant emotions explode into awakened brutality? Such is the theme of UNE BLOC’s first independent film project, Sa Aking Pagkakagising Mula Sa Kamulatan (My Awakening From Consciousness), a full length digital picture that takes a realistic glimpse of the Filipino youth in the gut of Manila’s urban gullies. It tackles socially related-issues surrounding the intersecting lives of marginalized, ordinary Manileños. Presented in a staggered vista of correlated events, the movie explores the day-to-day survival of the characters and their broken dreams, pent-up anger and abnormal sexuality. Sa Aking Pagkakagising Mula Sa Kamulatan conveys its message powerfully in a daring and unapologetic way– using street lingo to its fullest.

The story unfolds one night when Rey, the docile and cowardly teenaged student, played by award winning actor Carlo Aquino, is mauled as he passes by a drinking spree of street toughies: Pogi, (Ketchup Eusebio), Jopet (Cholo Barreto), Kahoy (Empoy Marquez) and Taba (Indie actor Hector Macaso). The four release their sadistic energy on him, transforming his handsome face into a bloody mess. Braggart Pogi hates Rey for the simple reason that he secretly loves Rey’s girlfriend, Angel, ( a newcomer in a noontime show) who has a clueless father (Bodgie Pascua). Jopet, a self-claimed police asset, finds Rey a convenient substitute for pouring out his hatred for his handler, Lakay (Lito Pimentel), a sadistic cop. The vagrant barker/snatcher Kahoy and Taba, the bum, join in for the sake of camaraderie. While Rey lies unconscious on the pavement, the group continues drinking as if nothing happened. Some neighbors try to intervene, but reluctant to get fully involved, back out later. Rey regains consciousness and finds his tormentors drunk and asleep. What happens next is anybody’s guess.

Sa Aking Pagkakagising Mula Sa Kamulatan is the debut full-length feature of independent filmmaker Ato M. Bautista from a screenplay by Shugo Praico, cinematography by acclaimed director of photography Odyssey ‘Odie’ Flores (Magnifico, Kulimlim, Naglalayag), editing by Richard Barnett, and original score by Achilles Gonzales. These same people together with co-producers Jason Donato, Alfred Molo, David Buenaventura, Cedric Hornedo, Ivan Despi, Simon Malimban, Holland Lou Buela & Rosel Manahan-Cello are the young filmmakers behind UNE BLOC. The team that despite the odds decided to go for broke to independently produce what critiques have called a "unique shock-cinema of international standard" that reminds us of the early works of Scorsese & Coppola.

Sa Aking Pagkakagising Mula Sa Kamulatan is the first full-length digital feature film to be released worldwide by Unitel Pictures, Inc., the company that distributed American Adobo, Imelda, Crying Ladies and Santa Santita. It will premiere locally at the Ayala Art Film Cinema, Glorietta 1, on April 26, 7 p.m. A week-long run follows at the same theater from May 4 to 10.