"LIVING THINGS": AS TENDER AS THE HEART, AS GENTLE AS THE SOUL

 

There were pictures and frames, still lives and raw lives, ferris wheels and clouds of wonders- and yet, alongside with them were jokes of reality, domestic tasks of complexity and deep talks about life and earth.It was a very different perspective about love and death, in a slice of life amidst the competitive society, and a fine work of ART in a rather obscure way and manner.

"LIVING THINGS", one of the competing Shorts in this year's Cinemalaya 16, only further asserted us the triumphs and the strengths of the human spirit. It was a very personal film, a joyous ride in a carnival and an animated attack about the pains of losing someone and the memories that lingered upon.

But what impressed us most about this film were the dialogues, as simple as they were, but so beautiful, so precious to speak at, and so lasting in feeling. The two main performers delivered those dialogues in a natural way, but it penetrated so much in candid impressions and awesome delights.

Director Martika Ramirez Escobar's take on this life about a couple was so fascinating, clever and witty. But on contrast, it was as tender as the heart, and as gentle as the soul.

This film is a "must-see" to all living couples, but only then, never buy a human-sized picture frame because you'd never knew, it could definitely be like YOU.

(AS WRITTEN BY ROBERT MANUGUID SILVERIO)

director martika escobar