Gawad Urian bets weighed and never found wanting

MANILA, Philippines — “I call them brave films.”

This was how Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, a Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, described this year’s Best Film nominees of the Gawad Urian in an interview with The STAR. They are Balangiga: Howling Wilderness, Birdshot, Bhoy Intsik, The Chanters, Respeto and Tu Pug Imatuy.

“Matatapang (na) mga pelikula because they strongly say what they want to say,” added University of the Philippines (UP) professor emeritus and Philippines Communication Society’s (PCS) Excellence in Communication awardee. “So the filmmakers are empowered in that sense and at the same time their subject matters are given space. The subject matters are the lives of people, who are marginalized. Nagkakaroon (sila) ng boses. Basically, they’re aesthetically well-made.”

Since Urian leans on political filmmaking, if my reading is correct, these films were weighed but never found wanting in the cultural-critical perspective. That tipped the scales and made the difference. “At the end, aside from it talks about ethnicity or identity or sexuality, it also talks about humanity,” said Javier Alfonso of each nominated narrative film. “So when you watch the film, something has been added to your sense of humanity. That’s why these are really good films.” This collection of films, however, is just part of the many well-told movies shown last year.   

Each full-length feature has its own merits. Take for example Balangiga, which stands out for its non-linearity and the use of flashback, said Manunuri Javier Alfonso. “I call it like a visual poetry,” she said. “If you look at it as a poetry, you will see the rhythm and the aesthetics of the film. The film language is there. It is a strong comment about war and the statement of people, of Filipinos being massacred.”

This film reminds one of the Manunuri tradition in selecting previous nominees and winners.

As for a number of award-giving bodies recognizing the best creative works in the film industry, Manunuri Javier Alfonso said: “They have their own reasons why they give awards.” After all, “The more, the merrier” as the saying goes. The Urian choices represent the collective voice of the critics and academics.

“For us, we haven’t changed through time,” she said. “They have to be good films with all the elements being used to be able to say (what they were) with eloquence. That’s why you see the aesthetics of the film, the film language and the lyricism that goes with it.” Following that thought, a film is a work of art that serves as a platform to put across a social-cultural-political statement.

“To us, we have been consistent throughout the years with what we have been looking for. I think the track record of Manunuri will show you that,” Javier Alfonso shared. Yes, there’s no controversy that taints its credibility for the Manunuri are true to Urian’s mission and vision. “It has always been independent and it has always been consistently putting out its mandate,” she said of the community of Manunuri (critics), and if I may add, the kind of “urian/surian” (the process of critiquing) they do.

Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso on Urian Best Film nominees: They strongly say what they want to say. So the filmmakers are empowered, and their subject matters are given space.

“As we are voting, they have to reach a certain number to be in the list of nominees,” she said about why some actors, who showed strong performances, didn’t make it to the round. “But they were considered… it breaks my heart really na hindi nakapasok, but they were all considered whether they were in (a) mainstream (film) or indie.”

Like in the recent past, audiences have watched mainstream and independent films — a very good combination — that populate movie houses and have won the nods of award-giving bodies. It reflects today’s film movement that filmmakers are becoming more empowered because of technologies and the latter’s democratizing effects. Whatever changes (new ways of producing and telling movies) may come to the local film industry, one thinks, the Manunuri will remain true to its core.

“Since the Manunuri are stuck to this kind of selection for a long time and people expect us that we will stick to that… yun ang gagampanan namin, ang mangingilatis ng pelikula,” said Javier Alfonso. “We’re just doing what’s expected from us and what we believe in.”

The awards night will happen on June 14 at the ABS-CBN Vertis Tent and air at 7 p.m. on Cinema One. 

Below is the list of nominees in some categories:

Best Director: Arnel Barbarona, Tu Pug Imatuy; Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, Kita Kita; Khavn dela Cruz, Balangiga: Howling Wilderness; Joel Lamangan, Bhoy Intsik; James Robin Mayo, The Chanters; Treb Monteras II, Respeto; and Mikhail Red, Birdshot

Best Actress: Joanna Ampil, Ang Larawan; Angeli Bayani, Bagahe; Alessandra de Rossi, Kita Kita; Gloria Diaz, Si Chedeng at Si Apple; Dexter Doria, Paki; Jally Nae Gilbaliga, The Chanters; Agot Isidro, Changing Partners; Elizabeth Oropesa, Si Chedeng at Si Apple; Bela Padilla, 100 Tula Para Kay Stella; Angellie Nicholle Sanoy, Bomba; and Malona Sulatan, Tu Pug Imatuy

Best Actor: Abra, Respeto; Nonie Buencamino, Smaller and Smaller Circles; Timothy Castillo, Neomanila; Noel Comia Jr., Kiko Boksingero; Allen Dizon, Bomba; RS Francisco, Bhoy Intsik; Jojit Lorenzo, Changing Partners; Empoy Marquez, Kita Kita; Sandino Martin, Changing Partners; and Justine Samson, Balangiga: Howling Wilderness

Best Supporting Actress: Yayo Aguila, Kiko Boksingero; Angeli Bayani, Maestra; Shamaine Buencamino, Paki; Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Siargao; Chai Fonacier, Respeto; Nathalie Hart, Historiographika Errata; Odette Khan, Bar Boys; Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Ang Larawan; and Gloria Sevilla, Maestra

Best Supporting Actor: John Arcilla, Birdshot; Robert Arevalo, Ang Larawan; Romulo Caballero, The Chanters; Dido De la Paz, Respeto; Pio Del Rio, Balangiga: Howling Wilderness; Nor Domingo, Respeto; Ronwaldo Martin, Bhoy Intsik; Jess Mendoza, Sa Gabing Nanahimik ang mga Kuliglig; and Arnold Reyes, Birdshot