Saturday, January 20, 2007

Camiling Story (2005)



Camiling Story (Erwin Romulo, 2005)

The first thing we see in Erwin Romulo's directorial debut is space. Stars rapidly passing by; as if from the point of view of an intergalactic traveler. Camiling Story however does not involve space travel or aliens; neither does it tackle the historically rich town of Camiling. Space travel and science fiction are mere tools for Romulo to enunciate his very familiar tale of boy-meets-girl. Camiling is a mere setting for this syrupy clumsy romance between Manila-bred geek Earl (Diego Mapa) and provincial town lass Elsie (Sonjia Calit).

The science fiction book Earl keeps himself busy with transforms into a parallel story that lets the romance glide from being uncomfortably too personal to palatably cinematic. Elsie's first sighting of Earl alighting from his bus is appropriated with a feeling of first contact; Each and every encounter between the two young lovebirds is accompanied by an evocation of geek-dom (a particularly bad karaoke rendering of a favorite song morphs into an otherworldly harmony when Earl glances on a parading Elsie pass by). Romulo's sound design plays a vital role in his stylistic romance. Amazingly, it's almost pitch-perfect the way the sci-fi aural trappings, the musical compositions, the scene-specific sound effects, the towering voice-overs merge to develop the exact emotions Romulo wanted to exude.

Everything is shown in quaint and gorgeous whispers. Elsie's flirtatious ways are downed with acceptable ease; especially when compared to her sister's more vivacious and scandalous machinations. She tours the newcomer to her native town's sights (the ruins of an old church, the house of Jose Rizal's sweetheart: all reminders of something lost). Elsie's room however is where everything happens. It's lovely how Earl uncomfortably searches the room (the book she reads, the starry ceiling) for something remotely similar between the two them. It's even lovelier how Romulo sets the romancing game between the inexperienced geek and the curious girl. The turmoil that follows tenderly punctures the heart because of how well-acquainted and well-prepared Romulo insists us to be.

There's more to Camiling Story above the extrinsic effect the sci-fi/coming of age merge inflicted. It quietly evokes memories of first loves and encounters; pleasantly appropriating geographic locations not from factual or historically important conclusions but by personal experience (the same way Luneta might be important to a person as the place where he received his first kiss, instead of being the place where national patriot Rizal was shot to death). It's innate sincerity delivers a calming blow; Earl's familiar experiences blossoms into a resonating ode to the string of firsts every boy would have to experience. I was more than mildly impressed by Romulo's openness and sensitivity; there's truly something huge to expect from the young artist.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

when did u see the movie?

Oggs Cruz said...

I saw it when it premiered in the Bagong Agos Film Festival in Galleria. It was re-titled "Camiling Love Story." A move I understood, but didn't necessarily agree with.

Anonymous said...

Cool. I really want to see it on the big screen since I only have the dvd. Thanks for the post, it made me see parts of the movie in a different light. ;)

Oggs Cruz said...

I'd love to have the DVD. By the way, I hope you can introduce yourself in future posts. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

i don't have an account so i just clicked anonymous but it's me Elsie (Sonjia Calit).

Oggs Cruz said...

Oh wow, you did a good job Sonjia. I think I saw Diego Mapa in the screening.

Anonymous said...

Thank you... ;)

Anonymous said...

I wonder if this is a loose adaptation of Gregorio Brillante's coming-of-age short story "Distance to Andromeda," set in the towns of Tarlac and Camiling.

Oggs Cruz said...

I haven't read Brillante's story. Thanks for the recommendation though, I'm gonna start looking for it.

Anonymous said...

It would be easy to find the book The Distance to Andromeda and Other Stories at the CAL Library. I can't find a copy online. Yes, maybe it's more of just inspired by Brillantes' short story than based on it. By the way, one of the movie's soundtrack is entitled "The Distance to Andromeda" and its synopsis for the MOV Digital FilmFest read, "Camiling Story is a little romance set in a 'town of famous men' where the distance to Andromeda is sometimes nearer than a boy and girl in love." Romulo also wrote about his fascination with Gregorio Brillantes in an article entitled "Reading Brillantes in Diliman" in his column The Outsider.

Anonymous said...

i'm absolutely curious about this movie. Exactly how would I get hold of a copy of the dvd? I live overseas but I am a native of Camiling.
I've read Gregorio Brillantes' "Distance to Andromeda" and my Grandmother's name appeared in one line of that story.