Imbisibol sets standard for Sinag Maynila filmfest

MANILA, Philippines - The maiden edition of the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival is off to a very substantial beginning with Lawrence Fajardo’s Imbisibol which is about the plight of undocumented Filipino migrant workers in Japan.

Like it or not, Imbisibol (adapted from the one-act play of Herlyn Gail Alegre) is one film that projects the true spirit of independent films. With taut direction by Lawrence Fajardo and exemplary performance from the cast, Imbisibol is a riveting film that explodes with heart-rending images of harassed Filipino workers in Japan. (The film dominated the Sinag filmfest’s awards night last Saturday with seven recognitions, including Best Picture and Best Director for Fajardo.)

The film might as well be the symbol of what is uniquely Filipino about the Sinag Maynila filmfest founded by Brilliante Mendoza and Wilson Tieng of Solar Films.

Mendoza said that this year’s choices of films will be high on social issues and very encouraging on films with specific social advocacies.

In the same vein, the filmfest founder acknowledged the presence of acclaimed filmmaker Lav Diaz who he said helped shaped the Filipino identity in prestigious festivals abroad.

As for Imbisibol, the film has many things going for it.It is a very quiet film for one and it is to the film’s credit that it hired a few of the most sensitive actors in town.

With Japan’s winter season as its backdrop, Imbisibol showcases the best of Filipino actors.

Playing migrant workers always on the run from Japanese immigration police are veteran stage actors Bernardo Bernardo, Ricky Davao with Allen Dizon, Ces Quesada and JM de Guzman.

Quite poignant is the portrayal of Bernardo as the multi-tasking worker suddenly seized by thoughts of home. His exchange with Quesada about aliases Filipinos use to evade immigration detectives elicited laughter from the audience.

Meanwhile, Ricky Davao carves another multi-layered portrait of the Filipino migrant worker while Allen Dizon manages to portray a pathetic portrait of male entertainers past their prime.

There is no ignoring the fact that Quesada and De Guzman were at their best in the film ending highlighted by an apt film scoring that dramatized what was remarkable about the Filipino spirit. Quesada is a towering portrait of a Filipino landlady in Japan who does her best to help Filipino workers even at the risk of losing her husband and family. This is the first time one is drawn to her special kind of sensitivity and the pathos she creates makes her a special actor in this film.

As for De Guzman, he represents of what is good and decent about Filipino workers abroad. Driven to the wall by an envious Filipino co-worker, De Guzman delivers powerful acting by just being the character he is.

As it is, Imbisibol is a well-directed and well-acted film and it should help bring consciousness about the plight of Filipinos abroad.

Other films showing in all SM cinemas as part of the Sinag Maynila filmfest are Balut Country by Paul Sta. Ana, Bambanti by Zig Dulay, Ninja Party by Jim Libiran and Swap by Rempton Zuasola.

Ensemble acting at its best with (from left) JM de Guzman, Bernardo Bernardo and Allen Dizon