Human rights film ‘Duyan ng Magiting’ bags Cinemalaya’s Best Ensemble Performance Award

Kuwentong Peyups atbp

For the third time in the history of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, an acting award is given to an ensemble this year for the socio-political film “Duyan ng Magiting” by Dustin Celestino.

The film was given an award for Best Ensemble Performance for its powerful cast of well-respected and veteran actors: Dolly de Leon, Bituin Escalante, Agot Isidro, Miggy Jimenez, Jojit Lorenzo, Frances MakilIgnacio, Paolo O’Hara, Joel Saracho, and Dylan Ray Talon.

In 2012, the Best Actress Award was given in the Director’s showcase to an ensemble—Judy Ann Santos, Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro, and Janice de Belen of Mga Mumunting Lihim The Tribu cast grabbed the Best Actor Award also as an ensemble in New Breed in 2007.

The film was also awarded Special Jury Prize for “its trenchant portrait of the wages of political violence, for its highly discursive and dialectical take on the culture of impunity that seems to have entrenched itself in Philippine politics, and for arousing among audiences awareness on the need to come to grips with the country’s escalating political violence.”

Director Celestino described the film as “a symbol of our continued resistance.” It is about the corruption within the government system and the police. It was written at the height of red-tagging and extrajudicial killings (EJK) that provides a perspective on the socio-political climate in the Philippines.

It is an anthology of interwoven narratives on life and terrorism in the country following a college professor, university chancellor, social worker, police chief, lawyer, two mothers, and two students.

It revolves around the journey of a young activist student named Jose, who was detained as a suspect for the church bombing.

“We have been through some of the darkest moments in our country’s history, but in this darkness we would also like to remind everyone that there is still beauty to be found; there is beauty in courage held in the face of overwhelming odds, there is beauty in the collective effort of artists to ennoble the Filipino experience, and there is beauty in our continued survival and resistance,” Celestino said in his speech.

The movie touched on the issue of red-tagging, which is a pernicious practice as part of the government’s counterinsurgency efforts that target individuals or organizations critical or not fully supportive of the actions of a sitting administration.

This includes publicly accusing activists, journalists, politicians, and organizations as either communists or terrorists or both, regardless of their actual political beliefs or affiliations.

Civil society groups working on human rights issues have been demonized and vilified under the Duterte administration and reported increased surveillance, intimidation, threats, and other acts of harassment by the authorities.

On July 3, 2020, President Duterte signed into law the “Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020,” which human rights groups criticized for containing dangerous provisions, further undermining human rights in the country.

“It is a story of what our country recently went through and the recognition of the victims’ experiences,” says Dolly de Leon who portrays a social worker tasked to assist the detained students.

A good friend, Redentor Constantino, said in his column: “There are no easy conclusions in this movie, where Martin Luther King is paraphrased numerous times to frame many of its chapters. Yes, only in darkness can one see the stars, but when the stars are veiled, how can you overcome darkness with more darkness?”

Celestino stressed in his speech: “May our film remind us all not just of the darkness around us, but also of the remaining light—the remaining love, passion, and hope—within us all.”

Three films on gay and lesbian issues also bagged major awards.

“ITI MAPUKPUKAW” (The Missing) won Best Film (full length) and NETPAC Award, while Dolly de Leon won as Best Supporting Actress. It is Cinemalaya’s first full-length rotoscope animation that follows Eric’s life as a mouthless young animator at the intersections of grief and trauma.

“HULING PALABAS” won Best Director for Ryan Machado, while Bon Andrew Lentejas won Best Supporting Actor. It is a coming-of-age movie that tackled themes of identity formation, abandonment, friendship and folklore.

“ROOKIE” won Best Actress for Pat Tingjuy as well as Audience Choice Awards and Best Editing. It is a romantic comedy about young queer love and volleyball.

The other films with citations in the full length section include “Tether” for Mikoy Morales as Best Actor and Sound Design; “When This Is All Over” for Cinematography, Production Design and Original Music Score; and “Gitling” for Screenplay.

The 19th Cinemalaya was held from August 4 to 13, 2023 at the PICC.

Peyups is the moniker of University of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808 or 0908-8665786.