QCinema showcased quite a number of great films for their festival the past week, but our favorite one was Gayuma, which featured Benjamin Alves, Elora Espano, and Phoebe Walker. Here are just 8 reasons why.
Via qcinema.ph
Lilith, the Succubus. The apocryphal addition to the well-known tale of Adam and Eve. What role does she play in this narrative? Where does she figure in all of this? Her literary and literal value in this film is undeniable. 
Via pinoytuner.com
We know Kamikazee is disbanding this December, so it’s nice to see them performing their classic “Tsinelas” in Gayuma before we say goodbye to them for the last time (or not, assuming reunion tours down the road). 
There’s so much symbolism and so many references to other films in this movie it’s almost damned meta. That’s a great thing–a really great thing. It would take a lot of viewings to find even just half of them. 
Via qcinema.ph
So many plot points in the film feel perfectly resolved by the ending that it’s clear the entire film was an exercise in slow burn. From the way Mike’s relationship with Joy slowly turns sour while he finds himself pining for Stella, to the revelation of what Stella truly is; it’s a very well-crafted ride that knows how to use indie standbys like lingering shots and talking heads to draw a very emotionally harrowing yet satisfying climax in the end. 
Via youtube.com
Beautiful. Mysterious. Deadly. Phoebe Walker’s first film appearance in a pk-callout role (you might have noticed her cameo in Etiquette For Mistresses) is not without controversy. We’d give you two eye-popping reasons why, but that’s what you get for missing out on this film. 
Via youtube.com
Elora Espano’s role as the patient yet taken-for-granted girlfriend definitely hits quite a few notes. This is the essence of no-acting acting, with how natural every single thing she did onscreen felt. 
Via youtube.com
Bembol Roco? Lav Diaz? Various profs from the University of the Philippines? Check, check, and check! If you’re a UP alum, you would be thrilled to see all the send ups this movie has for our State U. 
Via qcinema.ph
There’s something to be said about not trying to reinvent the wheel with a twist ending, and this movie plays it by the numbers to deliver a thoroughly expected yet thoroughly satisfactory ending. It doesn’t revel in its grim ending and instead makes it come off as a positive, adding to the film’s ability to chill you. What were your favorite films from this year’s QCinema Film Festival? Share them by leaving a comment below!
