REVIEW: Mindanao - Bigger Battle Than War

There has been countless films about Mindanao and its people, yet Brillante Mendoza wants to share another view of the diverse island which comprises of many cultures, people, and stories. Though there is still the concept of war still happening in some parts of the island, they also incorporated the story told by a mother to her child with a legend of the dragons of Mindanao.

Starring in the film are Judy Ann Santos, Allen Dizon, and Yuna Tangog as the family who is struggling with both war and the illness of thir daughter, Aisa. Originally titled "Maguindanao" it was later changed to Mindanao to reflect  an expanded worldview. Brillante Mendoza also mentioned that this is part of his trilogy about the region, the first one which is also a MMFF entry, Thy Womb featured Nora Aunor and Lovi Poe tells the story about the Bajao people.

The film garnered the most awards at the MMFF 2019 awards night that includes Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress among it's hauls. Judy Ann already had an advanced best actress award before the MMFF at the Cairo International Film Festival, while Brillante also got  an award for the Henry Barakat Award for Artistic Contribution.

REEL DEAL: The Banes of Society Found At Sitio "Kamkam"

Despite the growing economy, the problem of poverty, crime, and illegal drugs still rule the underworld in some parts of the country. Many have been depicted in many movie showing it, but many would only tackle just the shallow surface of these societies. What if you put all of these into one place with all the residents connected in one way or another and finds themselves in a complication of surviving, living, and loving, that place is Sitio Camcam.

Kamkam (Greed) tells the story of the squatter community of Sitio Camcam which is home to residents who engage in vices like gambling, drugs, illegal connections to water and electricity which is controlled by a local kingpin Johnny (Allen Dizon). The officials like Barangay Chairman Toming  (Emilio Garcia) tolerates the community and is a friend of Johnny however tensions between them starts with problems of the sitio gets complicated. Johnny is also a known womanizer, with three wives Salud (Jean Garcia), Evelyn (Sunshine Dizon) and Shane (Jackie Rice) who is his current favorite wife.