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Reviews
Bedspacers (1979)
Gosiengfiao as National Artist?
Joey Gosiengfiao said in a rare interview before he passed away that he considers this film as his best effort, even more accomplished than his now cult classic "Temptation Island". Bedspacer or oftenly credited as "Bedspacers" with an "s", centers on student life during the heyday of Manila's University Belt in the late 70s. The story revolves around three lady dormmates played by Alma Moreno as a basketball muse by day, prostitute by night, Rio Locsin as a social climber and Amy Austria, a naive provincial lass who gets knocked up by her boyfriend (played by Orestes Ojeda). It also has an interesting subplot involving a rebellious Mark Gil and his love affair with a sexy teacher/mentor. Storyline is very typical of Filipinos films of this era, with social realities brought to the fore like poverty, lack of opportunities outside of Manila, students forced into prostitution and/or abortion, etc. But what sets this film apart from those made by Brocka, Bernal and De Leon is the trademark risqué acting and dialogue only a Gosiengfiao can muster. Actors perform larger than life, very cartoon-like and the dictum "it's so bad, it's good" applies here. His blocking and framing is very rigid, owing to Gosiengfiao's extensive theater background. Outside of that, this film should at least be preserved for its nostalgic value as a documentation of the old Recto (especially for UE and San Sebastian alumni where most of the school scenes were shot). You also have interesting cameos of Anita Linda, Rosemarie Sonora, William Martinez (who would only get noticed until Bagets in 1984), Laurice Guillen, Michael De Mesa, Mary Walter and Lupita Soriano. If you dig campiness in the tradition of John Waters, Russ Meyer or the catfights in Roger Corman films, then you should see this one, but the mere sight of the girls in au naturel alone is worth the one and a half hour.
Boso (2005)
A homage to Peque Gallaga's Scorpio Nights
An obvious homage to Peque Gallaga's "Scorpio Nights," Boso tries very hard to inject an existentialist standpoint to a noticeable sexploitation flick by Digital viva (Vic Del Rosario's feeble attempt to lure young indies into the mainstream). But Jon Red very much succeeds in providing adequate visual pleasure, thanks to the Viva Hot Babes and his overextended sex scenes.
Reminiscent of previous works "Still Lives" and "Astigmatism," Red is a master of the digital medium, experimenting with unusual angles, freeflowing movements and fancy editing. Incidentally, he is the most active Filipino digital filmmaker at the moment, more than his revered brother Raymond. However, like most indies in the Philippines, Boso is guilty of narrative lapses, like, who would laugh his heart out at a Pinoy funeral? Given our high respect for the dead, this scene is unthinkable in Filipino culture. Boso's conclusion is also no exception, as the audience is left thinking why the protagonist is not arrested despite the revelation at the end.
Jeffrey Quizon (as protagonist Jake) is similar in more ways than one to his father and iconic funnyman Dolphy, and as such fails to provide an earnest philosophical underpinning to this movie. But more than anything, Boso works best as softcore porn to the male voyeur gaze. If you get hold of the DVD, don't forget to watch the extras!