Review of ENDO

July 28, 2007

As you may have deduced from this site of mine, I watch movies a lot. But last night, I had a particularly unique movie watching experience. No, it was definitely not a big Hollywood blockbuster this time. It was a local independent film currently in competition in the ongoing Cinemalaya 2007 Independent Film Festival, called "Endo." What makes this film stand out is that this time I actually know someone from behind the scenes. The cinematographer of the film is my cousin Wowie Hao (whom we used to call Lori Ann).

Wowie studied Film in college, at UP Diliman no less! Our first experience working with her as a family came when she directed our family tribute video to our grandfather's 90th birthday a few years back. Last year, I was very pleasantly surprised when I saw her name among the nominees for Best Cinematography at the prestigious Urian Awards. This was for the independent film "Dilim", which I have not yet seen.

Well, this time, I asked cousin Harry to tag along so we can see a product of her professional camerawork firsthand. This was a dark and rainy night, but the Cultural Center of the Philippines was alive with lights and people.

Wowie met us when we came in and introduced us to her director, Jade Castro. He was a tall, lanky guy, very young and friendly. I don't think I have ever watched a movie just minutes after meeting its cinematographer and director. To add to the importance of the occasion, we saw celebrities at this showing, such as National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, ABS-CBN boss Malou Santos, indie film pioneer Kidlat Tahimik, Laurice Guillen, and Jessica Zafra, among the audience. This screening was certainly well-attended.

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Now, for the movie itself. First, the title. I honestly did not have any idea what the word "Endo" was all about. In my area, "Endo" would mean "Endocrinology" or "Endoscopy." Somewhere in the middle of the movie, I still could not get the meaning of the title given the movie's context. So, as I could not bear my ignorance anymore, I had to ask my cousin Harry what it was really about. I found out that it meant "End of Contract." The whole movie dealt about the lives of simple city folk, workers whose employment history is a series of short months-long contracts in various places of employ. This also serves as a metaphor for the temporariness of their social and love lives, which generally need to start all over every time they change jobs every so often.

The central character is Leo a young 20ish guy. In this movie, we saw him work for a fastfood, a department store (Robinson's Place), a grocery store (Quincy), then back in a restaurant (Don Henrico's). In the beginning of the movie, he splits up with his girlfriend at the fastfood. Then in his next job, he meets shoestore clerk Tanya and his love life really got going. However, the inevitable conflicts arise as family problems, opportunities to go abroad, and return of former loves complicate the idyllic relationship, so tough decisions have to be made.

The script is the star of this film. It was current and crisp, dramatic and touching, yet maintaining the sense of humor Pinoys are well known for. There were rich references to various aspects of current pop culture pertinent to the situation at hand. There were smart one liners (such as "Mahal mo lang ako, kasi aalis na ako.") throughout that impress the viewer. It is light and pleasant fare, not dragged down by pretentious angst that pervade other indie films. The direction and camerawork brought this script into an effective visual reality.

The actors were generally unknown to me, and I guess this is how indie films like this make audiences relate with them. Except for veteran Ricky Davao who played Leo's tragic and pathetic father, there were no superstar face there to distract audience empathy with the characters. The young lead Jason Abalos is very good and convincing as Leo throughout the movie, both in his cutesy lovestruck parts, as well as in his teary lovelorn parts. His character really had to run the gamut of emotions here, and he fared quite well for a neophyte. Ina Feleo (whom we were able to meet after the screening) is likewise very good in her role as Tanya. She also had her difficult dramatic moments where she definitely shines, as in the hotel bathroom with her coworker, and with Leo outside the gate of her house.

Wowie told us afterwards that "Endo" was shot and processed from April to June 2007. There was even a scene where "Oceans 13" was a choice at a cinema multiplex. In that short time, they were able to create a layered but accessible film, sensible, yet kept real. What a good indie film should be. Highly recommended for everyone to check out.