LOLA
Philippines, 2009, 110 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Brillante Mendoza.
Lola was the second film of 2009 by prolific Filipino writer and director, Brillante Mendoza. The other film was Kinaytay for which Mendoza, against the wishes of the public and the critics, won the prize for best director.
This is another film about poverty and the poor in the city of Manila. It is set on the water, which rises to the homes of the poor during flood times and the flood season. There is also an excursion to the countryside, a contrast with the built-up areas of Manila.
The film focuses on two grandmothers, both called Lola. One is accused of violence towards the grandson of the other. The film shows the variety of customs when this situation arises. There are visits to the prison, showing what life is like in a Filipino prison. The grandmothers also meet for some kind of justice, out of court, a financial settlement.
The film shows also local customs, especially collecting money for paying off the debt that the offending grandson committed. Finally, with a bit of background from officials, from the church and local piety, the two grandmothers meet and come to some kind of resolution, accepting the blame for the situation.
Brillante Mendoza is noted for his explorations of sexuality in Filipino society, especially with The Masseur and Serbis. However, he is also very much conscious of the plight of the poor in his country in such films as Tirador (Slingshot) and Foster Child.
1.The Filipino film industry? Audience awareness of poverty, especially in Manila? The needs for justice? The administration of justice? The film for a Filipino audience? For a world audience?
2.The style of filming, guerilla?The camera and the crew? Their presence, actual events? The location photography, the realism? Rough? The editing and the effect?
3.Manila, the streets, offices, churches, courts? The flooded area and the homes, the church? The boats? People travelling by the canoes? The contrast with the countryside, the train ride, the visit to the farm? The musical score?
4.The rainy season, the interiors, homes, small, meals, watching television?
5.Lola and the little boy, her age, walking, in the church, buying the candle? The rain, the difficulties with the umbrella? The difficulties with the match and lighting the candle? The information about the place, her grandson stabbed at this location? The children playing there? The issue of justice for her and the family? Seeing her at home, her daughter and her abilities, trying to mediate? The little boys – and the grandmother losing her temper with them? The meals, ordinary life, the boat and going from house to house collecting gifts for the funeral? Going to test out the coffins, the spiel of the owner, the range of coffins and prices? Her angers, the offer of the offending family? Initial rejection?
6.The second Lola, the court, going to the prison, her grandson and his guilt, visiting him, bringing him food? Her shopping, coming home, the other boy and his work, watching television? Her disabled brother and feeding him? The shopping, the issue of money, the offers to the offended family? Her delivering the food to the prison, seeing her grandson? Selling the vegetables in the market, stealing the money and pretending? Pawning the TV? The giving over of the deeds of the house to the moneylender? The visit to the country, the welcome from the cousins, their giving her food, her selling the eggs at the station? The visit of the other family’s daughter, the attempts at mediation, her being willing?
7.The first grandmother, her relationship with the boys, the daughter? Their going to the counsellor, explaining the situation, getting the donation for the funeral, the councillor and her ringing up the funeral parlour? The episode of the finding of the stranded fish, the joy of collecting the fish for the meal?
8.The murdered boy, mobile phones and their being a high priority? The fights, the killer and his motives, in prison, the food, interaction with the men?
9.The scenes in a real prison, real prisoners? The men, crowded, their look, the range of heavy tattoos?
10.The train ride, the different atmosphere in the country, the family, the chasing of the ducks, the giving of the food?
11.The funeral procession, the man falling in the water, the boats, the rituals?
12.The negotiations, talks, the two grandmothers meeting at the meal, the grandmother from the offending party paying, the agreement?
13.The procedures in court, the presentation of the arguments, the case lapsing, the two families seen at the end of the film outside the court?
14.The sense of humanity, the poor and their living with poverty, happiness in their lives despite the struggle? Crime in the streets? Justice in the courts, by personal reconciliation? The role of the church and prayer? An insight into Filipino life?
