Reflection on PBS American Cinema 10 0f 10 Edge of Hollywood

New Hollywood and Independent Film Making

               Hi there guys! If you would notice this article was awkwardly place here in my blog for this is a follow up post on our readings about the said era of film making back on Sept 3. check this. During this day we weren't able to finish the whole documentary but what I learn is that during that time directors wanted their movies to more personal and related to the audience. The studios at that time were on the market for directors who would catch the taste of the movie going public. Sam Raimi, writer and director describe the era as the "lifeblood of Hollywood" and the directors are "setting the trends and wildest ideas". 

scene from the movie crooklyn by Spike Lee picture from: http://madamenoire.com/tag/zelda-harris/

            One I remembered discuss in the documentary is the rise of black movies with the notable director Spike Lee (I got his name when I goggled the picture above because the title of the movie is what retained on my mind.).  It is said that it is unusual yet covered a whole new set of audience which of course the black Americans. :) I learned that the movie is about the way of living of the black Americans in Brooklyn at that time. Again, I see that the directors are making way to create a movement by using film as their mouth piece as to what has been thoroughly discuss to us during the semester in dealing with the things about the fall of the studio system. Again, it is a truth the directors are on their way to create movies that they feel would matter by observing to the reality of what is happening in the world. 

            How I wish that I can share more about the documentary but I want to be honest with you because this is what only retained/understand on my mind. Feel free to get copies of the documentary and ad more information below at the comment box.          

Reflection on "Woman's Body Power" in Philippine Sex Melodramas by Jamal Ashley Abbas

                The portrayal of reality become the great influence of the reality itself.  

                 I was in a local food chain for lunch when I decide to read the article. With its title I bet you already know how I read it in a public place. But don't get me wrong the article is full of information and explanation about the factors behind the genre Philippine Sex Melodramas. I learned that just like today, in the year 1960's and so on, the Philippine cinema are greatly influence by Hollywood just like how the Political scene in the Philippines is influence by the US. 

               During those times a lot of movement arise according to the article, like the hippie movement with tag line make love, not war and feminist movement. All fighting for equality and respect. Another one is he fight against censorship against the film. However, with all those interesting stuff the article mainly focuses on explaining the factors about the Philippine sex melodrama.

hippie movement picture from: http://www.mortaljourney.com/2011/03/1960-trends/hippie-counter-culture-movement

               The article use three things: (1) Mulvey's male gaze (to what I understand to the article and the discussion the process of a male looking at a woman creates thoughts of desire and this explains the reason behind strip tease) ; (2) Weber's three dimensions of difference - class, status, and power (I learned that these are the factors use for diversity, to my understanding, the factor that separates the privilege to the oppressed); (3)Michael Foucault's "technologies of the self" concept (I actually fail to understand this as I was reading it, so class discussion come in handy. The technologies of the self is the act of a person or a way he/she finds or develop in order to build up himself or as to the article say to be seen, to be notice).

                I just heard it whenever adults are talking, or they would tell us, she used to be a 'bold star' those who became successful film stars of today and the stories of few former 'bomba stars' who end up to be poor. To my understanding the 'Bomba films' era start on the death of star and studio system. It was said that the former love triangles were replace of showing of body, introducing of mistresses and sex workers. Given the concept of male gaze and dimensions of difference the people having desires in them would really look and fantasize about the films. As it was said in the article the "men are fed with 10 sex scenes" in a movie. 

feminist movement in the Philippines picture from: http://www.justassociates.org/en/blog/movement-builders-blood-sweat-and-tears

              Yes, this is the real world. During that time a lot of people entered to relationship prematurely and became pregnant. A lot of smart movies shown this reality in the good way. It just saddens me that I came to know the roots of the present perception of beauty nowadays. I grew up in a word where it is hard to see yourself as beautiful without showing skin. As I learn things throughout the semester, particularly the feminist where women fought for equality by using their sexuality. In the article, it has been discussed that the use of the body as an object of desire to weaken the rich people or the dominant sex. What it used to be a portrayal of reality became the wider influence of the present reality. I am just a student right now, I may fully argue my point. I respect the film industry though, very much respect. I just pray that like what my professor said film practitioners should really study in film school, wider their sense and that more directors and writers would be the one who would care for the people. 

           

A Day in Mowelfund Museum

 

                        Hello to my dear readers! I am so back. After about two weeks hiatus here I am sharing to our the things that I'm learning from our cinema class. How are you then? Today I am giving a photo blog! For the first time I wouldn't have a hard time looking for the right citation because I took the pi urges by myself! Hope you would enjoy this post and feel free to tell your comments on how can I better improve in writing and taking pictures.

Left is Ms. Boots Anson Roa giving a talk; upper right picture of
Erap and Fpj which is the first to see as you enter the hall and lower left
FEU Ab in Mass Communication students prepare for the tour. 

                  I arrive just in time. I was running late and still clueless how to get there I use my Dora the explorer technique and ask people for diretions. Just a short tricycle ride or short walk (if already familiar with the route) from lrt betty go belmonte station, I arrive there with welcoming guards and minutes before the tour starts. Fortunately the Mowelfund President and respected actress Ms.Boots Anson Roa. She shares the perks of being the one in front of the camera  and how people behind the camera would do mostly the hard work can get small and fast credits at the end of every movie.

                    Good things - we have our professor with us and unlike other museums we are allowed to use camera with flash! The place is a bit dark, although some pictures end up to be not that good still flash is very helpful. :) My weirdness comes as we start the tour, I enjoyed the time taking photographs and appreciate the pictures. I actually waited my batch mates be gone and be the last (although I get scared sometimes haha!). To my dear non-Filipino readers I hope you too would enjoy things about our history. Disclaimer: These are the things I knew and humbly admit that I only have a few knowledge about this. If you want to learn about the Philippine Cinema and deeper knowledge about films I recommend you to visit Post Prandial Musing. 

The Spanish Past in Philippine Cinema

Spanish Era of the Philippine Cinema

                           I enjoyed taking pictures but didn't have the time and mood to read stuff. That is why if you're really interested I would recommend you to go and visit Mowelfund Museum. :) In the picture above is the Spanish Era. I learned from my professor that the 'Filipinos' before are not the real 'Filipinos' by blood. They are the Spaniards who are living in the Philippines. And the 'Filipinos' by blood are called 'indios'. During the revolutions of our heroes like Rizal and Bonifacio to gain freedom after 300 years of being conqured the 'Filipinos' or the Spaniards living in the Philippines at that time were enjoying the first films like 'The boxer' and 'A man in a hat'. (Note: those are the english translation of the movie names)  

The Spanish - American Era in the Philippine Cinema

Creative way of maximizing the stairs

My friend Kristine together with her blockmate
posing in the Zamboanga room

Japanese Era in the Philippine Cinema

Japanese Era

               During the three years invasion of the Japanese in the Philippines is under a puppet republic. By puppet means President Jose P. Laurel is just a 'front' but the reality the Japanese are the ones who are controlling the government. Our professor made us analyze this during the discussion.

The Golden Age of Philippine Cinema

Original costumes use in the movies

Beautiful Nida Blanca (forgive me I forgot the name of his leading
man in this picture feel free to comment if you know)

Feu 3rd year Mass Communication students enjoying the tour

Editing 

The 3 Major studio in the '60's

Stars of the 1970's

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

Action

Stars of the '70's

Photo op with our Prof.  Jamal AshleyAbbas
('90's room)

FPJ, The King of Philippine Cinema

Miniature of FPJ's Panday

Outside are Human size cardboard of movie characters
 and stars in the new millennium

                  At the end of the tour there is a small canteen with affordable and delicious barbecue and rice combo. And these nice view of the whole musuem. I reminisce the time when my brother use to scold of watching too many Philippine movies even those where the Philippine's King of Comedy Dolphy is still young and the famous beauty Paraluman. After the tour, I might go back to that habit once more. 

Outside Mowelfund Museum