Serbis

A film by Brillante Mendoza. 32nd Gawad Urian Best Picture. Best Cinematography. Best Production Design. Competed at Cannes International Film Festival. Serbis -

A film to be proud of, indeed. 

It tells a story of a Family in reality. It shows the real world - real social issues that most Filipinos or people (even from different country) will be afraid or too in denial to face. This I think, is its edge, its quality to receive the appreciation and recognition it enjoyed. 

I also have to commend its Cinematography. Its shaky, yes, but overall, it's beautiful. Whenever there are tracking shots, it's as if I was running with them. It added to the feel of it being real. Also, the color and texture of the picture, I think it is just right. It looked so natural and real. Again, I think through its cinematography alone, it showed the world through an honest perspective. I liked it. 

Also, the characters did a superb job in portraying their roles. I also appreciate the story. I think each of the members or cast, represents an entity. First, the child, for example, stands for children of this generation. 

Let's take the opening scene for interpretation. The film opened with a naked girl looking at the mirror saying "I love you's" in a seductive manner, not knowing that her younger brother is secretly watching her. I think this shows how porn reads and flicks are so easy to get, that it is scattered almost everywhere for anyone to see. And for anyone, I mean, even those below 10 years old. 

Second, a mother. And by mother, I don't mean Jaclyn Jose, but, Gina Pareño. (This is just one of her sides, for she also has a side of being a wife who wanted her husband to be jailed) When Coco Martin made his girlfriend pregnant, Gina, of course, as an initial reaction of a mother, was angry, but after that, she still showed how compassionate she is for letting them keep the baby and stay in the theater (which is their house, too).

There are a lot of people representing different classes. The script are not that typical in a movie. Usually, a script will beautify whatever line should be said for it aims to make the audience want to see the movie. But Serbis, and other indie films, lets the audience see and hear and feel something real. This is what I like about Indie films. It doesn't hide anything, it shows everything. 

For example, Coco Martin's sex scene with his girlfriend, he kept on saying or complaining about his blain or pigsa in the middle of their love making. Unusual, but real. 

Serbis has a lot of qualities deserving of praises. I honestly think that it could be used as an example to students for better cinematography. But, for a movie to watch again and again, I'd rather not. 

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the film. I just don't like it that much. I mean, I don't go, "That was a great film!!!! *then a slow clap*" after watching it. In fact, I was left asking. Yes, I do like films that has open endings or that leaves questions for those kinds make me think, but not these kind of questions. The film tells a LOT of stories about a LOT of different people, but in the end, it didn't give justice to each kind of story. 

I think it's too episodic (if that's the term). It has so many things going on. The child has a story, the mother and her cousin has a story, Nanay Flor has, and even Coco Martin and his girlfriend has a story. I can't focus on a thing. One moment I'm analyzing Nanay Flor's character then the next, I'm analyzing Coco's. For me, it's okay to project different sides of society in a film, I honestly think it is good because you're showing something very natural. But in doing so, I think the director and the writer shall work together in making the story clear and thus, making it better. 

Writing is like film making. When writing an article, you shall connect your lead to your conclusion to make a striking and moving article. I also think this goes for films too. The opening does not connect to the ending. 

Earlier, I interpreted the opening as a representation of children today. Then the ending, is a representation of incest. Plus, I didn't see anything, aside from the wall with a vandal saying something about Jaclyn Jose and her cousin (Couldn't remember the exact writing, sorry.) that shows an affair between the two until the ending, so it left me asking what does the stare mean? 

I'm not against this film. In fact I appreciate it a lot. It's just that, I'm looking for something more. I don't know... A better ending, perhaps? 

Anyway, here's a trailer. :)