Two Filipino movies are showing in cinemas in succession. The first is Ivan Andrew Payawal’s Saving Cherry which currently plays in 160 cinemas nationwide. On 10 September, because of its MTRCB R-16 rating, Adolf Alix Jr.’s Poon will be shown in limited cinemas.

Both films offer different depictions of women that are given life on the silver screen, created from the imaginations, lenses, and point of views of gay directors and their screenplay writers. And as its audiences, the decision is on us if we are to accept all their dramas, shenanigans and resolutions.

Cherry on top

Now, I can categorically say that Saving Cherry has what it takes to save the current box-office state of Philippine cinema. Nostalgia engulfed this Daily Tribune columnist as I watched it as it ae me remember the women and what they stood for in Marilou Diaz Abaya’s Moral; how the women of Ishmael Bernal’s Working Girls measured their happiness, romance and success, and on some parts, Cherry and her friends on-screen convinced me that they are deserving of a series and that it can be the definitive developing country incarnation of Carrie Bradshaw and her Sex And The City ladies.

Applause and commendation must be given to the movie for its courage and honesty in presenting the value of preserving oneself before marriage, betrayal and how women and men handle it differently, the flaws and perfection standards of each gender, and bringing to light the importance of self-love and preservation.

Barbie Forteza’s emotional commitment and honesty she gave to Cherry was top-notch. You laugh with her with her loud comedy and flair and when she turns quiet, and showcases her heartfelt vulnerability, you want to embrace her and tell Chery, this too shall pass.

Khalil Ramos’ take on Jude, the “cheating” husband, was restrained and sincere and to forgive his fault should have been the better choice. JC Alcantara’s Josh as the unsuspecting prey and the explosive twist, the actor carried it with aplomb. And yes, Cherry’s friends, their dynamics are genuine, you would believe that they have been in this friendship since they were in kindergarten.

My only discomfort with the movie was Cherry’s resolve not to choose to forgive and forget and her standards of what makes a perfect relationship and romance, was anchored to a Disney princess who refused to see and accept the reality that love and romance is always a matter of touch and go, sink and swim, and taking in scars, warts and all.

Hallowed

Directed by Adolf Alix Jr. and written by Jerry Gracio, the most unforgettable elements with Poon are the atmosphere created by its director of photography TM Malones and production designer Jay Custodio.

The larger-than-life statues of saints gave it a palpable eeriness and because of their presence, the sense of foreboding cannot be denied. Malones’ cinematography of the house and its immediate environ, made it claustrophobic and suffocating, the clever use of darkness and shadows made the tension and terror elements of the movie not just perceived but experienced.

In terms of acting, this was Jaclyn Jose’s last movie. As you see her image on the silver screen and what she gave her character- that distinctive manner of speaking, eyes that spoke volumes, the silences that concealed horrors and secrets, and the rawness she gave her character in that act of supreme defiance — Jose was indeed a Philippine cinema national treasure that we all miss.

For the young cast, X factor plus talent equals great screen presence and committed performances by Martin del Rosario, Will Ashley, Kelvin Miranda and Althea Ablan.

For the other seasoned actors in the film, what they give their respective characters are some of the biggest surprises of the movie.

What I found bothersome about the movie was that the director and screenplay writer did not seem to know if they wanted a supernatural horror movie or a psychological drama, and as they tried to blend these ideas together, they were not able to sustain the genre and artistic amalgamation.

Still, Poon deserves all the love for urging all of us to confront and have a showdown with our personal demons and what perpetually haunts and enslaves us. Yes, God watches from a distance and oftentimes, He is passive that is why we only have ourselves to conquer our true terrors.