I think it was Tony who said that there’s something mesmerizing about watching two men dance together and that you’d forget the background dialogue. Well, watching Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa this past long weekend, I knew exactly what he meant. Paulo Avelino is cute and Rocco Nacino is handsome, and seeing them dance the tango set to beautiful background music was definitely a sight to behold.
While Sayaw isn't perfect (a cotillion scene in the middle was unnecessarily awkward, for example), the movie was undeniably beautiful. The first part of the film was a masterpiece in melding poetry, music, and dance into one of the best montages I’ve seen this year. And the subtle drama expressed in body language and facial expressions were a welcome break from all the stupid melodrama the mainstream movie industry has been producing.
And while this Cinemalaya award-winning entry is not an all-out gay indie film, having some of the least in-your-face homosexual themes, I wish local gay indie film producers would take a lesson or two from Sayaw on how to make quality independent movies. While showing skin is expected in order to appeal to the prurient side of the gay audience, cinematography, plot, technicals, and acting are all equally important. If I wanted to see some skin without all of those cinematic niceties, I’d rather get it free on the Internet rather than going out and wasting 180 pesos to watch some crap in a cinema.
Sayaw is such a nice film that it actually makes me angry to learn that some big bully of a local movie studio is using its influence in the local cinemas to shut Sayaw out of its commercial run in favor of its own movie. (Sounds familiar?) Sayaw was supposed to have a week-long schedule of screenings in several theaters but was cut short. Thanks to the negotiations of the producer, Ayala Cinemas relented and granted 2 screenings of Sayaw per day until November 1: one at 11pm in Glorietta 4 and the other at 11pm in TriNoma. That’s the only reason why I was able to watch this movie at all.
Did you enjoy this movie as much as I did? Say so in the comments!
13 comments:
Were you at the Glorietta screening? I saw it that night too and though I was sleep-deprived, I did not fall asleep at all. Di nga ako makakurap eh. It's sad it didn't get its fair shake at theatres, not like Zomba and Septic Tank. And yes, I completely agree that indie filmmakers can seriously take a hint from how this movie was made.
Saw it during its cinemalaya run. The subterfuge of emotions is what makes this film truly amazing.
Really really would like to enjoy it on the big screen. On the upside at least you caught it in an Ayala Cinema rather than in other cinemas that we would hide in the acronym of S and M. Ayala cinema has better projectors to show digital cinema and this film has so much nuanced movements that it would have been a shame not to catch it due to bad projector quality. It is one of the rare movies that gets better with multiple watchings.
I undeniably agree with all of you guys and I lift my hat to all those involved in producing SAYAW. I look forward to seeing more of this sort of work and I hope media will be open to provide more support to projects like these even if they are not supplemented by envelop-mental gratuities in exchange for their pitch!
@citybuoy, yup I watched the movie at Glorietta on October 31.
@Mugen, welcome back to my blog! :) Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch anything during Cinemalaya.
@Tony, oh, so you didn't see it in a movie theater?
@contagious, well said. :)
it was really a nice moie from start to finish. the acting was superb. and the 2 male leads were both pleasing to the eyes and jean garcia's facial expressions were outstanding. looking forward to more of this kind of movies!
I'm not sure if anyone will agree with this. Sayaw is a nice movie. Not bad. But it is so way out there that general audiences will not get it at all. Sayaw is far from mainstream. This is not Zombadings. I saw a couple leave the cinema after just 15 minutes.
Also, if I were a theater owner, business is still business. It was the four-day weekend. I need blockbusters to keep my mall and my theaters packed. Aside from Praybeyt, very well promoted and with lots of buzz, there was Pooh, Puss and Paranormal. Justin was in it too. With all these choices, natabunan talaga ang Sayaw.
I don't know about a conspiracy but I will doubt it. Star didn't need to do much. Praybeyt was hot.
I liked it as much as you did. :)
_meron bang site na pwedeng panuorin ito?
Try mo sa mga dvd alam ko release na yan
sigh.. i missed the Glorietta screenings but i was hoping that i'd be able to watch it in the cinemas as well.
I really want to watch this movie... I am even willing to order this in the form of DVD. Please tell me where I can find one... jonathan@ptpl.edu.my Thank you.
If anybody knows where I can buy the DVD of this movie, please let me know. I tried to look for this in Video City to no avail. Can we buy it online? Kung wala talaga, sana man lang may torrent file ito online. Sayang, I was not able to see this because this was never shown in our city!
Email me: lasherated@gmail.com for any info you can find for me. Thanks!
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