Music at the Cinemalaya

At the CCP, I failed to watch the Cinemalaya even if I worked there. Blame it on my ballet. But, hey, what could I do? I was fortunate enough to catch two films on two separate mondays at the UP screening of Cinemalaya films --- "Concerto" by Paul Morales and "Boses" by Ellen Ongkiko-Marfil. Both films revolved around the use of a musical instrument.

"Concerto" is a film about a Filipino family struggling to survive during the Japanese occupation. Here, family, friends and enemies gather around a piano in an amicable and even harmonious existence. My favorite part is when one character who cannot be with her Japanese lover plays an allegro piece while a vengeful Filipino plays head-on chess with a Jap, her sister recounts her love for an American, and a Japanese kneels before a Filipino Mother as the Filipino Mother empathizes with the prostrate soldier. The scene allowed me to view each character as a human being beyond race and history.

"Concerto" is fleshed out by a fantastic ensemble of actors, a competent production team and beautiful music. The imagery was poignant and direct as the score resounded in my ears.

"Boses" is a tale of two men who escape to a shelter for abused children. The older is the violinist brother of the woman running the shelter, while the younger is an abused child. This child is mute not by birth but due to all the abuse. The violinist pities the child and soon finds himself challenged to teach the child the violin. The child proves to be gifted and, together, they embark on a musical journey to heal old wounds. As the bow glides on the strings, the music becomes their voice.

Unlike most films involving instruments, the actors in "Boses" did not use any doubles which adds to the over-all magic of the film. The film also employs humor to take dark issues and themes and transform them into an uplifting film of redemption.

It is interesting to note that in both films the lead male roles were played by cross-over artists in their first films ever. The admirable father in "Concerto" is played by the best Prince Philippine Ballet has so far had, Nonoy Froilan. In "Boses," Coke Bolipata reveals his thespic bone as a magnificent violinist who finds redemption in teaching a young boy to play the violin.

In both films, Music, it's art and humanity, is used as an avenue for forgiveness, acceptance and joy. Forgiveness for the past. Acceptance of what is. And joy for the possibilities.

Both films, however, asked me to reveal what dance means to me. And I beg your indulgence as I ask you what role does Music and/or any form of Art have in your life. If immersion in Music and Art has the power to heal, where then are most humans headed? Most humans who have never been to the theater, do not know a poem, are not moved by Van Gogh, nor know a little of Mozart or Tchaikovsky.