PINOY INDIE FEATURE: Pisay

NOTE: No this is not a review, but a little feature that may either pique your curiosity... or not.

PISAY

The death of Filipino cinema is looming near, yet even in a year where there have been quite a few more Filipino movies being made in comparison to the last, most of them are junk that cashes in on the latest sizzling love team or trend. And though this description is not applicable to all those kinds of mainstream fare, people would eventually get tired and wish there was more to mainstream local cinema than rom-coms, unfunny or loud comedies, fantasy sequels and cheap horror flicks. This is where independent cinema comes in. They tread the paths where nobody dares cross, yet they still tell these stories effectively with a consumer video camera. Why? Because the cameras big productions use are pretty big and clear, not to mention expensive. But I'm not here to talk about cameras. I'm here to talk about one of these independent films that would probably be the most relevant to our lives, as well as our parents'. And this flick is called Pisay, short for the Philippine Science High School.

Directed by acclaimed indie director Auraeus Solito (Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros), this semi-autobiographical tale of high school life in the 80's pretty much focuses on different sets of people in different school years. Being the 80's though, it's not your average ordinary teenage high school flick, but one that is set in the era of Marcos, este, Martial Law. Knowing this, the twist set by the flick will most probably get you wondering how the heck they can go on with their studies during those chaotic times, and how they can even lead a normal teenage life!

The film has won accolades, most recently in France (Vesoul Film Festival; Audience Prize and a few others), and is currently showing locally (Feb. 20-27 @ SM Cinemas). (It was also actually finished and screened internationally since 2006, I think.) But regardless of these little tidbits, I have a feeling that Pisay is a highly viewable film, especially for teens as it chronicles this stage in life in a unique manner and setting. The convincing and talented cast (that also includes some former Going Bulilit faces and relative unknowns) is a big plus.

Below is the trailer:

CAPTION: "You are nothing but a unicellular protozoan amoeba!" Classic line!

MEDIA CREDIT: http://pisaythemovie.com.ph (Official Pisay website)