FILM REVIEW

'ABOVE THE CLOUDS'

(as I promised on my last post, I'll be having a film review)

       As a student, writing a reaction paper is not anymore new to me. Honestly, even though I'm not asked to write a review about something, it already became my habit to write my thoughts about the latest book I've read or the latest movie I've watched. 

       So this post will be all about my thoughts on the latest film I've shared, 'Above the Clouds'.

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 "Sa ihip ng hangin, 'di ko namalayan na ako pala'y naligaw sa isang panaginip na 'di ko pa narating at naranasan..."

 This is just one of my favorite line of Pepe Smith's song entitled, 'Ihip ng Hangin'. I first heard that song when I was young. My father used to let me listen to that song while he plays it with the guitar. And for years, I heard it during the film since it is the official soundtrack used. I was really moved upon hearing the first line not because it reminded me of my childhood but because the plot of 'Above the Clouds' is like being retained on my mind even though I close my eyes and just listen to the melody of the song. Andy (Ruru Madrid) is an illustration of a modern youth who have been keeping a grief and regrets on his heart. In our society today, teenagers are more known to be expressive. But expressive doesn't always show one's story. In Andy's case, he blames himself from losing his parents during the tragedy. And he is keeping that feeling on his own because he felt like he already lost everything. On the other side, he still have his grandfather (Pepe Smith) who also have the same grief. Nowadays, whenever we are facing problems, we always thought that we already lost everything. We always tend to keep it. What we don't know is there are still people around us who also have the same experiences but they tend to continue living a life. Like what Andy's grandfather said, "Hindi na mahalaga kung ano'ng nawala sa'yo noon. Ang mahalaga ay kung ano'ng natitira sa'yo ngayon." ("It is not about what you've lost. It's about what's remaining.") 

This is what I really like on 'Above the Clouds'. It is a silent and yet can touch everyone's heart and realize your past experiences in life. The concept of the story is pretty simple and what makes it real special is the two actors, Ruru Madrid and Pepe Smith nailed it. I really wanted to review the cinematography but I am not a film major and I guess I don't have too much idea about the terms in cinematography. But it reminds me of the films made by my father's students (he is a former film professor). Overall, 'Above the Clouds' is a genius production and deserves to be watched by the Filipino community.