Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis [2016]

March 26, 2016

Robinsons Galleria Movieworld, Cinema 7, EDSA corner Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City

Credits: Star Cinema

The first movie I've ever watched so far that reached to 8 hours. Since this is quite long, there are two 20 minutes breaks, first at exactly 3 hours then the second is on the 6th hour.

The story evolve on the wife of Andres Bonifacio, Gregoria 'Oryang' De Jesus (Hazel Orencio) searching his body and to the greatest traitors in the Philippines ever known like Crisostomo 'Simoun' Ibarra (Piolo Pascual) and Cesaria Belarmino (Alessandra De Rossi).

Since this is an indie film, it's already expected to follow the actors in every move until they capture something interesting but I've noticed that there are lots of unnecessary scenes. Andaming "tunganga scenes". In "tunganga" alone, siguro mga 1 hour din un. Kaloka!

As Star Cinema invites, "Accept the Hele Challenge" coz of the length of the movie. So far, we watched it on the opening day, March 26 from 1:20PM to 10PM in Robinsons Galleria Movieworld-Cinema 7 for PHP300.00 plus internet fee of PHP20.00, if you booked it online (compare to PHP400.00 in SM Cinemas, a PHP100.00 cheaper), the movie house was full. Take note, no matter how boring the movie was, nobody leave. Kung gaano karami noong umpisa, ganun din karami hanggang matapos. In fairness naman sa mga nanood talaga.

I have no idea kung ano ang batayan ng isang film critic to rate this as 5/5 or even for winning the silver bear Alfred Bauer Prize in the 66th Berlin International Film Festival, coz for me as a movie goer who doesn't know how to appreciate a movie like this, I think it was a super waste of time watching this movie. Sorry I'm just saying.

There are inconsistencies that I've noticed too like the name of the Bankero who introduced himself as Crisanto but Simoun keep on calling him Anselmo. Same thing with Isagani's Uncle asking Martina for coffee but he follow-up with hot chocolate. Duh! Small details but still a details.

I must say, Piolo Pascual was very lucky in this movie. Most of the time, nakahiga lang sya sa duyan at karga-karga ng alalay. Effortless!

What I like about this movie:
- The poetic scenes.

What I don't like about this movie:
- The tunganga scenes.
- The super unnecessary scenes tulad ng paggapang ni Aling Hule (Susan Africa) sa putik.
- The inconsistencies.

Verdict: Rating 0.1/5