[Confession] Die Beautiful (Official MMFF 2016 entry)
Because of the extended showing of the Metro Manila Film Festival films in cinemas, I'll be continuing to review more of the movies I watched so I could still lure people who haven't watched these films yet (but I actually watched this movie before the year ended but was too lazy to write af) - So today, I'll be reviewing MMFF's gay-themed movie Die Beautiful!
Die Beautiful Directed by Jun Lana is a wonderful film that shifts away from the LGBT stereotypes we often witness; which is an experience unknown to many. We have so many gay friends that always laughs, cracks jokes and share witty anecdotes with us but actually has this simple wish and deep yearning to be accepted not only in the society but mainly from their own families as well.
Here's the synopsis of the movie:
Trisha, a Filipino transgender woman, suddenly dies while being crowned in a beauty pageant. Her last wish was to be presented as a different celebrity on each night of her wake, but her conservative father wants to bury her as a man. Trisha's friends are left with no choice but to steal her body and hold the wake in a secret location. And as Trisha is transformed to look like different celebrities, they also look back at the colorful and extraordinary life that she has led - being a son, a sister, a mother, a friend, a lover, a wife, and ultimately, a queen.
When I've heard about Die Beautiful having won awards internationally, I wasn't that concerned much because why the hell would they show that movie in the Philippines? Quality indie films are so underrated here that it's difficult to watch - and that was then it was selected as an official entry for MMFF. I was intrigued, yes, but that curiosity wasn't that intense to consider it as part of my 'to-watch' list. So when it garnered millions of viewers, contending on the spot for 1st place overall and reliable people I know started gaining faith that Die Beautiful would won as Best Picture this year - that curiosity immediately bursts like blue flames. I have to watch this!
This is the 3rd movie I've watched from the festival and it was so worth it that I can rest my case and end my mmff marathon from there. I have never seen Paolo Ballesteros' acting projects before - even the scene-stealing Christian Bables - but damn these two deserved the awards they were given with. They've given justice to the bestfriends Trisha and Barbs because they sync so much with each other and let us appreciate our LGBT friends even more.
Die Beautiful chooses to be funny most of the time, sending us witty remarks and slapstick approaches that competes even Vice Ganda's movie jokes - even better - because it's genuinely funny and situational. But when it chooses to dramatic, it hits you when you least expect it. It redefined acceptance, being torn between dreams and family and struggle of one soul to overcome life. It also makes us more eager to watch when they exemplify Trisha's life through a non-linear storytelling. Pretty smooth.
If your money is short to watch most of MMFF films, trust my recommendation to invest in Die Beautiful (or Seklusyon) first before anything else. You'll truly experience the new MMFF wave from these films without ripping your wallet. Watch now till January 10 in cinemas nationwide!
My Rating:
Plot: 8.9/10
Acting: 9.2/10
Cinematography: 8.8/10
Characters: 9.5/10
Uniqueness: 9.5/10
OVERALL RATING: 9.1