Ripe Mangoes

Dedicated to Filipino Independent Films

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#MMFF2017

The first 4 line-up for the upcoming and most awaited MMFF was publicized last June. All the entries that passed were evaluated based on the script that they submitted. The 4 films that passed the MMFF Execom’s selection were:

However, with the line-up being posted on their official facebook page, many people expressed their disappointments. The post garnered 2.4k angry reacts, 800 sad reacts and 1k likes.

Last month, the final line-up was completed with the movies evaluated by the board were from the finished film submission. Sadly, we won’t see Atom this coming Christmas since Citizen Jake’s team refused to pass their film to the board. The four movies that completed the “Magic 8” were as follows:

Although many don’t want to support this year’s MMFF following the announcement last June, the last 4 films received positive feedbacks from the madlang people

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FRIEND: Ang panget naman ng Indie Films...

ME:

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Baka Bukas

Directed by: Samantha Lee

Baka Bukas (2016) is a romantic drama independent film written, co-produced, and directed by Samantha Lee. People surrounding Alex (Jasmine Curtis-Smith) knows that she is a lesbian, but not her childhood best friend – Jess (Louise Delos Reyes). Alex is in love with Jess ever since they were kids.  When Jess found out about the secret of Alex, they are forced to face the feelings they have for each other. Indie films are known to tackle different issues in the society and Baka Bukas is one of them. After watching the film, you will start questioning if love was really enough to conquer all.

With the film’s overall appeal to me, I don’t think that the characters completely justified the role that they were playing. The storyline was fast paced, but some of the parts of the film were aesthetic AF. Nonetheless, the few dull moments doesn’t define the whole film.

Mango Rating: 3.5/5.0

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That Thing Called Tadhana

Directed by: Antoinette Jadaone

That Thing Called Tadhana is a 2014 Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Antoinette Jadaone. That Thing Called Tadhana has a brilliantly crafted story-line, yet modestly simple. It is delivered with greatest honesty and sincerity. The love story is basically a strangers-into-lovers development. Where a broken hearted girl meets a stranger guy and became friends. I admit I don’t really watch Filipino movies but this one had me laughing and crying so hard. That Thing Called Tadhana speaks more from the soul of a relationship because that is what makes it truly special. It’s very well-written screenplay and the characters are very lovable and relate-able 

Mango Rating: 5.0/5.0

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Bagahe

Directed by: Zig Dulay

Bagahe revolves around Mercy, an OFW who is raped and subsequently, suspected of abandoning her newborn child in the trash bin of an airplane toilet. The compelling drama follows her harrowing struggles, as well as the investigation that follows . The film stars Angeli Bayani, Shamaine Buencamino, and Boots Anson-Roa.

It shows a societal issue that some financially uncapable single mothers go through, abandoning their infants. It shows the horror they might surpass in the reality of abandoning their children

Rating: 4.0

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Kita Kita

Directed by:  Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo

Kung makikita at mapapanood mo ng maigi...

Grabe ung batuhan ng linya and everything! Tatawa ka talaga, kikiligin, at iiyakkk. Kudos to all na naghihirap para iangat ang filipino films to the next level!

Isa- isang beses kong narinig na manunuod kami ng pelikula at di na natanggal sa isip ko

Dalawa - dalawang beses nating sinubukang pumasok sa panunuoran pero dalawa ding gwardiya ang humarang sa daraanan

Tatlo- tatlong damit ang aking pinamilian para makapagpalit ng uniform at muli tayong sumubok na makapasok

Apat - apat na kanto ang layo para lang makabili tayo ng damit at makapanuod tayo ng kinahuhumalingan

Lima - labingLimang minuto bago magsimula ang palabas ng makapasok tayo, bumili ng tiket at makakain

Anim - anim na minuto ata akong dumaldal simula nagumpisa ung pelikula hahahaha

Pito - higit pitong beses ako namalo, nangurot, napakapit sa tawa, kilig at pagka lungkot

Walo - walong hanggan ang pagkain ko ng popcorn ng bigla na lang tumulo luha ko ng di ko namamalayan

Siyam - siyam na beses kong kinumbinsi ang sarili ko na hindi ako iiyak pero wala, akala ko tatawa ako buong pelikula pansiyamantala lang pala...

Sampu - mga sampung beses namin binalikbalikan lahat ng mga sinabe at mga kung anong pwedeng nangyare, dahilan kung bakit naging ganun ang storya. At siguro kahit sampung beses ko tong panuorin hindi pa din ako magsasawa..

Rating: 5.0

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Sakaling Hindi Makarating

Directed by:  Ice Idanan

Sakaling Hindi Makarating tells the story of the cynical Cielo. (Alessandra de Rossi) whose recent heartbreak has led her to recluse herself from the world. This story is about the journey not the destination. 

Journey not the destination. Its an old cliché but one that is very welcome in the case of "Sakaling hindi Makarating". As Alessandra de Rossi's Cielo goes hopping around the Philippines in search for her new found admirer we witness finding oneself along the ride. 

Overall the movie was great and it is very inspirational.

Rating: 4.0

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Seklusyon

Directed by: Erik Matti

Seklusyon is a horror-thriller themed film with religious imagery that will leave an impression beyond than what meets the eye. 

Seklusyon was set during post-war Philippines wherein religion became a genuine rope of hope for Filipinos. The film starts off with a deacon who was sent to a remote retreat house away from people to test different aspects of their faith, strength and sincerity for a week as the final challenge before being ordained as a priest. In the duration of the film, the characters confront their own demons and trails of their sinful pasts. 

What makes the film intriguing is because of its atypical way of flaunting gloominess that covers faith and morality with doubt and suspicion that will give its message on the contrary of the surface content. 

The film was blunt in delivering its message of blind fanaticism, false prophets and blind idolatry through religious imagery. However, the film isn't just about religion. Religion isn't the only thing that inflicts all these messages.  The director just used religion to ensure that it will intensely pierce the hearts of the viewers. Especially to the point that Filipinos will manage to think critically of assessing their own selves on the hot seat questioning their own faith and morals and virtues towards afterwards. 

Seklusyon is a film directed none other than the well-praised director, Erik Matti. Matti is known to be the director whose movies leave a boggling sensation in people's minds in every film that he has created. His works are known to be effective and substantial. 

RATING: 4.5

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Heneral Luna

Directed by: Jerrold Tarog

This is one of the pivotal movies that mixed comedy, drama, and a little bit of suspense. This triggered a lot of Filipino to rekindle their patriotic values. This calls for a bigger promotion since this is really a good film that tackles what have had happened during the American-Filipino war.

This is said to be the first movie of a Filipino hero trilogy starting with Heneral Luna and the next is Goyo which is Marcelo H. Del Pilar's story and Manuel L. Quezon's life story. Jerrold Tarog is a brilliant director!

Rating: 4.5/5 

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100 TULA PARA KAY STELLA

Directed by: Jason Paul Laxamana 

This movie caters to the young people and young at heart that is for romantic movies. This is a story of Fidel (JC Santos) a stuttering college student that fell in love with Stella (Bela Padilla), a punk rock star in her school. The story revolves around Fidel running after Stella even though its already too late for Fidel to be with Stella due to unfavorable circumstances. The movie is great but lacks emotion and a punch through the heart. The plot twist is very shooktening and you should really watch this piece of great movie

Rating: 4 mangoes