After the premiere night of ‘Green Bones’ at the SM North EDSA Cinema 3 last Friday, December 20, among those who have seen the movie early chanted: “Best Picture! Best Picture!” And although this reaction is premature considering that some of the ten official entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival are yet to showcase their films in special screenings or hold their premiere nights, there had been no reaction like that of ‘Green Bones’ - so far.
Positive feedback all around
Movie reviewers and bloggers share the same sentiments after tears flowed during the premiere night screening. Some commented on how well-crafted the dramatic feature is. While others noted how GMA Pictures, also the producer of last year’s First Best Picture winner ‘Firefly’, and Zig Dulay, also the director of the same film, can possibly get back to back wins for Best Picture and Best Direction.
In the red carpet interview, however, one of the film’s leads, Dennis Trillo, remarked on how he wants viewers to focus on his movie’s story and lessons rather than the competition. “Wag na muna natin insipin ang contest. Sana mapupulutan natin ng aral ang pelikula at sana ma-entertain natin ang mga manonood lalo na ngayong Pasko,” he said.
‘Green Bones’ will join nine other entries in the MMFF to open in cinemas nationwide on Christmas Day. This has been the 50th edition of the annual film festival, and like past editions, locally-produced movies tend to reap more box office success in the same season when foreign movies are banned from local theaters.
In a separate interview during the movie’s press conference, Zig Dulay said that audience preferences have changed over time. “Let’s not underestimate the Filipino audience, especially in this time of social media when trailers are accessible and movie fans are more vocal about their opinions,” Dulay said. Last year, eventual First Best Picture winner ‘Firefly’ and Second Best Picture ‘GomBurZa’ were lagging behind in the box office in the first 3 days of the festival, only to see them shoot up to Top 4 in ticket sales after the awards night.
A story of carefully passing on judgment and redemption
Zig Dulay’ latest masterpiece soared with his usual flair for tender drama. Although the story revolves around the complexity of the country’s reform system, the shift in points of view among the leads, portrayed by Trillo and Ruru Madrid, made the progress of the story simple. This provided the audience more bandwidth to take in all the emotions.
Apart from the impeccable performances of Trillo and Madrid, rendering great portrayals were Michael de Mesa, Sienna Stevens, Sofia Pablo, Wendell Ramos, Mikoy Morales, Royce Cabrera and Alessandra de Rossi. Iza Calzado also has special appearance in the film.
Watch scenes from the ‘Green Bones’ premiere night
Guiding Dulay’s direction is the script written by national artist Ricky Lee and last year’s Best Screenplay winner (Firefly) Angeli Atienza. Emerging from a belief that some human bones become green during cremation for those who have lived a life of goodness, the movie revolves around the theme of not passing on quick judgments to others, and in realigning yourself towards goodness should you have done something bad in your past. “Simple lang ang tema, hinay hinay ho sa pag husga,” veteran journalist and TV host Jessica Soho said during an interview post-screening. “Bawat tao may mabuting side, may masamang side. Walang one dimensional na tao.”
Backgrounded with picturesque shots of a fictional island prison San Fabian, adding more to its dramatic tone are the breathtaking sunrise and sunset shots. SB19’s new age-sounding original song ‘Nyebe’ completes the cinematic brilliance of this MMFF entry.
‘Green Bones’ will be screened in movie houses beginning December 25th, offering local audiences an inspiration to assess how they have been in the past year and to look ahead in the new year to come; a motivation delivered through this gem of a film.