Screencap from UPSTREAM/YOUTUBEGreat family dramas are treasure hunts. The script is a map where we look for the smaller clues that allow us to steadily work towards unearthing the treasure chest. It is what gives us, the pirates, euphoria: not just the prize, but the hunt for the gold.
In “Fan Girl,” writer/director Antoinette Jadaone returns to themes she explored in her earlier work with short films — “Plano” and “Salingpusa” . Both shorts tackle the plight of young girls trapped in a patriarchal world, seemingly unable to move beyond their given circumstances. Girls don’t grow up to be women in these universes: they are perpetually young.
“Isa Pang Bahaghari” follows Domeng and his attempts at returning to his estranged family after reportedly dying from a ship explosion. In winning back Lumen and the rest of his family, he is assisted by Rhey , their best friend, who complicates this resolution with his love for Domeng. “Magikland” is based on a similarly named theme park in Negros Occidental, which is based on “local folklore and legend, adapting the legend of the Bakunawa to make it more modern and fun, while still paying respect to local culture.” There are details in “Magikland” that are lovingly crafted: from the backstories of the quest items, to the many realms they are found in.
There are people who will watch this and will defend its place as a comedy in the industry and its politics as a film. They will tell you that it is films like these that feed people and their families, and that ‘this’ is what the masa enjoys. Even if that is true , there are enough examples in this current lineup to show that there are better stories and better storytellers out there; ones that deserve our resources and a place in cinematic history.
Still, it trudges on. In the titular role, John Arcilla is magnetic but is unable to carry the entire film. The cinematography is picturesque and the score is melodramatic, but ultimately these do not contribute to the narrative. In its efforts to be clean and palatable, the film fails to be a coherent representation of Suarez’s life and legacy.Screencap from UPSTREAM/YOUTUBEIn any film written by Ricky Lee, the women are always the most interesting characters.