Last Saturday, I went out with my bessie Mig and his older brother Jet. The Melbourne International Film Festival was on so we decided to go and see the only Filipino film entry - Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros.
This movie was awarded three times in the recent Berlin Film Festival and received rave reviews and nominations in the popular Sundance Film Festival. It was a joy to watch. Maxi, played by newcomer Nathan Lopez, is a 12-year old lady-boy who lives in poverty with his crook father and brothers. His family loves him dearly and treat him like the "mother" of the family. He then meets a cop whom he falls in love with and made him question the life his family leads.
This is an independent film, made by newcomer Aureaus Solito. The imagery and the story was enough to make you enjoy this film immensely. I was extremely pleased to find the cinema packed with mostly Australians supporting the festival. At the end of the film, people clapped in appreciation.
It made me proud of being a Filipino for once. At last, the Filipinos are learning what real movie-making is all about.
Yesterday night was a dream. Arnie and I went to see The Boy From Oz, a musical about the Australian music legend that is Peter Allen, played enthusiastically by no other than Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman.
What can I say? I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS SHOW!!!
Hugh was an absolute joy to watch! He engaged the audience, he performed fantastically, he gave 110% of himself to make the role his, and boy can he sing!
We were seated 6 rows from the stage... yep, we were THAT close. Hugh is an extremely handsome man with a fantastic physique. I'll choose him over any other actor anyday :)
I was pleasantly surprised throughout the whole show. There were songs that I didn't even know were written by Peter Allen, such as I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love by Rita Coolidge, Don' Cry Out Loud by Melissa Manchester, and (Arthur's Theme) Best That You Can Do by Christopher Cross.
Do you guys remember Chrissy Amphlett? She was the lead singer of the Divinyls, famous for such hits as Pleasure and Pain and I Touch Myself. She played Judy Garland and boy, was she good!
In fact, the whole cast was good. It was pure unadulterated entertainment for 2 hours and we all danced, sang along, and clapped in appreciation. We also spotted a few stars in the crowd: Rove McManus, Belinda Emmett, and Debra Hutton.
It was a fun-filled night I surely won't forget for ages. Nothing like a bit of culture to keep me going :)
5 comments:
I haven't watched "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" but I heard lots of raves about it. Looking forward to seeing the video. I'm sure the play was great. I mean, I can watch Hugh Jackman the whole day... *sigh*
:)
Yeah, even if Hugh was playing the role of an extremely flambouyant gay man he sure was a sight for sore eyes :)
hi jen, finally i found a pinay blogger in melbourne. nice blog - i also watched the Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros last Saturday! I have not seen the Boy from Oz - could be fun :)
Thanks for visiting, Jase. Try and see Boy From Oz. It was fantastic!
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