So when Clanch tagged a photo of Julie, the title of the short film in my Facebook account. And it says, it will have a screening in UP Manila. Wow, I was super excited to actually see the film he had worked hard.
I went to UP Manila last Tuesday, August 25th. It was a hot day. I came to the venue like 15 minutes before the Binisaya Short Film Set B will be ready for viewing. Set B includes the films Sanctissima, Lagkaw and of course, Julie.
There's only few in line at the ticket booth in front of UP Manila's Little Theater. I thought at first that there'll only be a few audience but later on, a lot of students were queing the line.
When I enter the small theatre, I chose to be at the back. I want to gauge the reaction of the audience at the same time see if the theater will be packed with more people. And yes, it was fully packed with students. Enthusiastic and well-mannered ones especially when it comes to theatre etiquette.
There were two films being showed before Julie. As mentioned above since, it comes in set. When Julie started to be shown later as the 3rd part, it changed the mood of the audience. It buzzed curious whispers from the students, it made us laugh altogether and at the same time, it made us cry a tear.
The main character Mr. Albert Paran as Julian Capoy or Julie for short did justice for his role as a gay father and so as the Aunt character played by Ms. Maria Presa Aparis. These two tandem made the short film a hearty and heavy one.
I also admit that the writer of the film and its director Mr. Belleza did a simple but seemingly twist about the door knob issue that made the difference of the story since a gay father story wasn't that new at all. Yet, I also appreciate that our audience have been reminded about some people in this kind of situation like a gay father or a lesbian mother (vice versa) . They do became part of our society and we should embraced them.
In general, Julie does not only touch our hearts and fill it with laughter. It also gives us social awareness and sexual reorientation especially to those who are not yet so open with this kind of social and sexual issue.
If I were to rate this short film, I will give Julie a 4.9 star over 5. The 1 percent deduction will be due to the not so readable subtitle and there was a part of the movie that the sound wasn't so clear or was cut off but maybe it's just a technical problem. Surely, I'll watch it again and again! Two thumbs up!
Please check Julie on Facebook, like and follow its page for more updates on its screening. It will have its last screening at UP Manila, Little Theater today, August 28 at 1PM. And I guess, there'll be in Davao City, too. So catch them. Support our local filmmakers!
Photos below were taken at Up Manila, Little Theater and cover photo courtesy from Julie's Facebook page:
