A Constant Visual Feast

“Shooting a film that’s set on a golf resort in a 4:3 aspect ratio only works if the point is to communicate gaps in stature between haves and have nots. A boxy presentation like 4:3 winnows down where the viewer’s eyes wander and forces them to engage with the world through a limited scope; it’s restrictive and cramped, an unorthodox choice for a story shot against rolling hills and manicured putting greens. But no other format would work as well in Filipiñana, the terse and tightly shot feature debut of Filipino filmmaker Rafael Manuel, where a day on a golf course becomes a lesson in power dynamics and contemporary Philippine history.”

Boy, do I like this film. Keep your eyes peeled for an interview between me and Manuel, which I hope to pull off later in the year in conjunction with the movie’s release date. For now you can read my review for Cool Material.