sarap or sakit...

indie films have repeatedly been described as glimpses of life as they should be viewed by realists.  they are but slices of the different personal histories that continue to happen unendingly right before our eyes, though often we tend to disregard them as mundane and ordinary - unfit to be viewed and discarded as bland.  these art films are really only voyeuristic scenes cut and edited to recreate the obvious and most probably forgotten.

too often, we see and empathize with indie film characters simply because they are but reflections of our own lives given the larger than life medium of cinema and for those still within the confines of dark closets, the privacy of still rooms with the tv audio turned way down; repeatedly watching out for glimpses of dicks and other private appendages that have always been the come on.  but then again, we get so immersed with the stories that we get carried away and memories of stolen times remind us that these scenes could have happened or are realities to us.

brod, a movie on fraternities and a love that blossomed between a pledgee and a master screams of this truth.  as the need for the closeness of the brotherhood stems from a subconscious need of acceptance and a lack of male attention.  though others may negate this observation, still what other purpose has a man have to submit himself to the pain of the journey in order to be deemed worthy and of equal stance with other men seeking the same.  to others it may not be physical as what transpired within the minutes of the film, but then deep down, souls still shout, "brod, may nararamdaman ako!" if not spoken aloud its nevertheless heard.

from a viewer's observation, the film is stirred by the script, well-written with a knowledge of how fraternities work.  as somebody with my own memories from within the close knit circles of brotherhoods, the movie took me back to stolen moments of male bonding and the raw male emotions of hurt, anger and suppressed feelings.  the need for recognition and the will to succeed despite odds too mountainous to consider present in each.  the closeness and shared histories more often pushes one to the warmth of the brother's embrace.

the scenes, the painful realities of what we hear about the initiation experience are shown; although the bruises are much more devastating in real life. (paddle bruises are not only reddish but purplish black bloodied slab of soft flesh, not only at the back of the upper legs but calves as well).

direction was subtle but tight in a way that the seamless chaos of the scenes placed not in the order of when they happened became but a necessity to understand it all. the cast were not mere actors struggling with lines but delivering them with the emotions needed to convey what the audience must feel.

several time best actor kenjie garcia of lihim ni antonio fame has finally erased for me his antonio persona.  deep, angst ridden but totally open, he has come out of the shadow of his teen coming of age character and delivered the necessary blow that propelled brod into my notice.  and as i have been always saying, "sana magmainstream na sya".  for sure, this actor still have a lot to offer and brod has given him one more feather to his cap.

tadeo, was equally intense.  ardie bascara, or basti moreno to some reminds me of piolo pascual in lagarista.  given the opportunity, this guy will totally blow us away one of these days.  in brod, he was confused, determined, soft, edged, and a dreamer.  the confusion that his character feels towards the end sums up the movie's voice.

the rest of the actors are equality there within the movie and not just shadows trying to read through the lines of the script.  paul jake paule is both witty and painful to view, marife necessito is awesome!

the ending might be a little predictable but never does it fail.  even with the pre-though of how it will end, it does not prepare us for the hurt that we will feel towards the final black out.

to some, the promise of a dick shot will probably push you to watch; and yes you will see some but then if you but take a little time to listen and lend your heart for a bit then you will say once the credits roll in na oo naghahalo palagi ang sakit at sarap.  which emotion will you choose?  sa huli ang masasabi ko lang, "brod, naiintindihan kita!"