At the end, my mother stood on the cliff and fireworks bloomed behind, contributing a very beautiful and unforgettable scene.
14 Reviews
some feelings
j_movie25 August 2021
Courageously built atmosphere with little identity
marvinmatsuonunez3 March 2022
Whether the weather is fine is a film that focuses on immersing its audiences to the experiences of the characters, rather than the plot. At its core, this film tells the story of lost people, attempting to find direction in the midst of the chaos and the fog caused by the Typhoon Yolanda.
Something inherent in this film that can be both admirable in the perspective of a film-maker, but detrimental to the box office, is how personal the whole film feels like. It's as if we were asked to experience what these victims felt like when the typhoon hit the Philippines, and it does a tremendous job doing so.
Every frame in this scene smells stinky, and I mean that in an absolute good way. It succeeded in giving out an atmosphere that's only present in a third-world country that's been hit by a natural disaster this drastic, thanks to the cinematography that felt grounded and the direction that bodes well with its gritty visuals.
One weakness of the film can be traced back to its writing, and more specifically, the character's decisions throughout the film. It felt as if it were trying too hard to be humorous at times, which could feel unnecessary.
It's disgusting nature proved at times to be enough, and the moment it decided to go on a tonal shift, it felt too much.
Something inherent in this film that can be both admirable in the perspective of a film-maker, but detrimental to the box office, is how personal the whole film feels like. It's as if we were asked to experience what these victims felt like when the typhoon hit the Philippines, and it does a tremendous job doing so.
Every frame in this scene smells stinky, and I mean that in an absolute good way. It succeeded in giving out an atmosphere that's only present in a third-world country that's been hit by a natural disaster this drastic, thanks to the cinematography that felt grounded and the direction that bodes well with its gritty visuals.
One weakness of the film can be traced back to its writing, and more specifically, the character's decisions throughout the film. It felt as if it were trying too hard to be humorous at times, which could feel unnecessary.
It's disgusting nature proved at times to be enough, and the moment it decided to go on a tonal shift, it felt too much.
A review from a Haiyan survivor
yourrandomreviewer19 June 2022
This has got to be the most confusing, disrespectful, and cash grab movie I've seen in a while.
I'm a survivor and was happy to know when they announced that a movie was going to be made set in the aftermath of Haiyan and was going to be spoken in our dialect. But all that crumbled when I saw the movie. The movie felt like a cash grab and taking advantage of the Haiyan story.
The camera work and the sets were very good.
The dialogue was clunky. They speak unnaturally. Norma's accent is not something people from the city has. The pacing was slow. The plot line was confusing.
The subtitles did not match what the characters were saying. I wasn't reading the sub titles that much because what they were saying was different so it just confused me. So I'm not sure what the non-Waray speakers got but I got a lot of cringe dialogue. The movie was filled with try hard comic relief including their choice in songs.
I understood the absurdity and surrealism but it was too much for my taste.
I found how they portrayed the locals was disrespectful.
Norma felt pretentious. Civilians in the movie were mean and some acted savagely. We weren't like that. We were in a bad situation, but we were civilized. We greeted people with smiles and happiness. We didn't snatch people's relief bags from them. We looted shops mostly out of necessity. We shared what we looted with our neighbors and at night had our own patrol to make sure bad people don't take advantage of the dark or the fact that our police force was still out of commission.
The reason why I felt they took advantage of the Haiyan story was because the premise of the movie could have been done in any disaster scenario, even just a fake one. But they had to choose Haiyan because making a movie around a storm that left almost 10,000 dead and missing would have been a big hit and bring them big bucks and international recognition. It worked though.
The movie being set in post-Haiyan time was one of the biggest reason why it got the attention it did. If you changed Haiyan with some random/made up storm, it would not have gotten the attention it did. Again, taking advantage.
What further ticked me off was when director Carlo Manatad said in an interview with CNN Philippines that they already had a completed screen play for the movie, but only added the Haiyan element when Haiyan happened. Which further led me to believe that adding the Haiyan element was just a cash grab attempt considering it was an after thought.
When the movie came out in Tacloban, a lot of people that saw the movie said "you're better off watching Exorsis, at least that one was funny".
I'm a survivor and was happy to know when they announced that a movie was going to be made set in the aftermath of Haiyan and was going to be spoken in our dialect. But all that crumbled when I saw the movie. The movie felt like a cash grab and taking advantage of the Haiyan story.
The camera work and the sets were very good.
The dialogue was clunky. They speak unnaturally. Norma's accent is not something people from the city has. The pacing was slow. The plot line was confusing.
The subtitles did not match what the characters were saying. I wasn't reading the sub titles that much because what they were saying was different so it just confused me. So I'm not sure what the non-Waray speakers got but I got a lot of cringe dialogue. The movie was filled with try hard comic relief including their choice in songs.
I understood the absurdity and surrealism but it was too much for my taste.
I found how they portrayed the locals was disrespectful.
Norma felt pretentious. Civilians in the movie were mean and some acted savagely. We weren't like that. We were in a bad situation, but we were civilized. We greeted people with smiles and happiness. We didn't snatch people's relief bags from them. We looted shops mostly out of necessity. We shared what we looted with our neighbors and at night had our own patrol to make sure bad people don't take advantage of the dark or the fact that our police force was still out of commission.
The reason why I felt they took advantage of the Haiyan story was because the premise of the movie could have been done in any disaster scenario, even just a fake one. But they had to choose Haiyan because making a movie around a storm that left almost 10,000 dead and missing would have been a big hit and bring them big bucks and international recognition. It worked though.
The movie being set in post-Haiyan time was one of the biggest reason why it got the attention it did. If you changed Haiyan with some random/made up storm, it would not have gotten the attention it did. Again, taking advantage.
What further ticked me off was when director Carlo Manatad said in an interview with CNN Philippines that they already had a completed screen play for the movie, but only added the Haiyan element when Haiyan happened. Which further led me to believe that adding the Haiyan element was just a cash grab attempt considering it was an after thought.
When the movie came out in Tacloban, a lot of people that saw the movie said "you're better off watching Exorsis, at least that one was funny".
Based on Typhoon Yolanda
denisenicoleopena23 February 2022
The film dwells on the story of how Filipinos from a rural place struggles to survive before and after a typhoon. This may seem like it focuses more on the experiences with typhoon Yolanda back in 2013, but this could also happen in every typhoon that has passed in the Philippines especially as a 3rd world country. Not only did they tackle typhoon problems, but also personal problems as well which makes it a bit more realistic and painful.
I like how the film included traits that Filipinos would do when a typhoon hits the country. An example would be in regards with our faith or how Filipinos would manage to smile especially with the media's presence. In terms of visuals, the film seems to make poverty an aesthetic which would be fine as a film since it could capture the audience's attention and make them feel like they are part of the story. Although in reality, it should not be much glorified for the media and people must actually help these survivors instead. I was kind of sceptical with Daniel Padilla's role in the film at first since it is mostly based on real life situations and it is a heavy topic to ponder upon. His instead has this mainstream image where we only see him as an actor specifically for romantic films. However, he sort of nailed this one along with his Waray language since he did play his part as an actor of his character too.
Overall, it is a great film. This deserves more recognition especially as we live in a country filled with islands which could be greatly affected by typhoons. We must support our own country's films, even if the language being used is not our main language. Imagine it with the same situation as watching Korean series or films without truly understanding the language, but still show our support thanks to subtitles.
I like how the film included traits that Filipinos would do when a typhoon hits the country. An example would be in regards with our faith or how Filipinos would manage to smile especially with the media's presence. In terms of visuals, the film seems to make poverty an aesthetic which would be fine as a film since it could capture the audience's attention and make them feel like they are part of the story. Although in reality, it should not be much glorified for the media and people must actually help these survivors instead. I was kind of sceptical with Daniel Padilla's role in the film at first since it is mostly based on real life situations and it is a heavy topic to ponder upon. His instead has this mainstream image where we only see him as an actor specifically for romantic films. However, he sort of nailed this one along with his Waray language since he did play his part as an actor of his character too.
Overall, it is a great film. This deserves more recognition especially as we live in a country filled with islands which could be greatly affected by typhoons. We must support our own country's films, even if the language being used is not our main language. Imagine it with the same situation as watching Korean series or films without truly understanding the language, but still show our support thanks to subtitles.
I am a survivor
meggileskirbyt18 January 2022
From a survivor's point of view, the movie brings back so many memories of that unfaithful day. The struggles were very much reminiscent of how we Taclobanons behaved days after Super Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the city. Above all, I'm just impressed as to how they genuinely sounded like native Waray people. It amazes me to see a representation of us Warays in the big screen.
To Endure what Lies Ahead
joaquincliogonzales1 March 2022
Whether the Weather Is Fine is a marvelous representation of surreal experiences meets real life events. In this film we find ourselves scraping at the bottom of the barrel when all has been lost due to the Typhoon, an occurrence almost deemed as anticipated in the Filipino life. Moments of hardship such as finding your loved one among the wreckage, exchanging rations for own personal desires, and finding ways to get off the island. Through this hardship the characters contemplate on future paths they ought to take which brings on the message of the film: having hope despite and in spite of challenges in life.
All messages accompanied with moments of tonal shifts between seriousness and comedy and even an surreal musical number that further implies the spiral down of sanity through these traumatic experiences. The film truly captures the Filipino tenacity but in no way romanticizes the suffering. As a Filipino I can truly relate and empathize with these sentiments however I fear that abroad it may be interpreted as another poverty porn film. For that I strongly advise the proper mindset and framework watching this film and that my fellow countrymen find time to watch this in support or to better grasp what happens to the calamity struck portions of our nation.
All messages accompanied with moments of tonal shifts between seriousness and comedy and even an surreal musical number that further implies the spiral down of sanity through these traumatic experiences. The film truly captures the Filipino tenacity but in no way romanticizes the suffering. As a Filipino I can truly relate and empathize with these sentiments however I fear that abroad it may be interpreted as another poverty porn film. For that I strongly advise the proper mindset and framework watching this film and that my fellow countrymen find time to watch this in support or to better grasp what happens to the calamity struck portions of our nation.
To Represent Truthfully
migsalcantara2 March 2022
This film is uncolored, untethered to any intention of romanticization. It effectively taps into the fear of the unknown which catalyzes the actions of the Filipino people that the film aims to represent - to steal, to cut corners, to burst out into anger, but to also show empathy, dedication to family, and resilience. However, the Filipino concept of "resiliency" is not exploited nor misrepresented, and even provides commentary on films that do tackle that route by presenting restraint (through writing and direction) and then and only then when the context of the entire story has been laid out will it allow complete surrender to the situation. In all of this, the film is still capable of injecting surreal imagery within its hard truths. It expounds to a depth that touches on the nuances of seeking sanity inside and outside an eye of a storm. It is never the fault of those in peril to grasp for every ounce of stillness - stability, security; whether it may be a false sense of the matter or wishful thinking, whether the weather is fine.
A great film with more recognition
gbqpjcs1 March 2022
The film feels mesmerizing and experiencing to watch in general. The movie presents the issues of Filipino in rural areas struggling in the aftermath of natural disasters to survive. It brought into light the struggle of the people of Tacloban; you feel their pain on the screen, and it is something commonality for Filipino people when a natural disaster happens every year in areas with big typhoons or floods. I also love when they show dance scenes because Filipino would do in a situation in a natural disaster. They would deny their pain by showing something positive like a dance, joke, or smile to present a face in the media. The religious aspect of the movie is another Filipino aspect that is accurate since people in the film pray for this pain to be over. A thing that surprised me was Daniel Padilla's performance in the movie. I associate the actor's acting with his rom-com movies, but in the film, he did a good performance in the role. The best part of the film is how it is surliest or magic realism in the movie without spoiling it; both the visual and music incorporating it visualize the central theme about the aftermath.
Overall, I would really recommend this movie; it deserved more recognition and screening for Filipino people and other people interested in general. It shed topic that is close to Filipinos with a breathtaking experience.
Overall, I would really recommend this movie; it deserved more recognition and screening for Filipino people and other people interested in general. It shed topic that is close to Filipinos with a breathtaking experience.
Well presented
ayefps10 March 2022
Carlo Francisco Manatad's Kun Maupay It Panahon (Whether the Weather is Fine) revolves around the aftermath of the super-typhoon Yolanda at Tacloban, Leyte. It is told from the perspective of three people: Miguel (played by Daniel Padilla), Andrea (Rans Rifol), and Norma (Charo Santos). The film presents the struggles that Filipinos experienced in order to survive the devastating effects of the typhoon.
Right at the beginning, one can already tell that the production design is remarkable. It was able to replicate the horrendous sights; dead bodies lying on the ground, destroyed appliances and furniture scattered around, the children's innocence (personally, I felt scared for them), people fighting, praying, wailing. Combined with the wide-angle compositions, it gives off a sense of immersion for the viewers as to what it could feel like being in those places-rather, in that state. Dir. Manatad focused more on the characters' emotions and thoughts, which made it more intriguing considering that the three main characters had different goals. They also had different perspectives of the reality they are experiencing.
Generally, the film was able to showcase the various impacts of a typhoon (though this film is centered on typhoon Yolanda, it also speaks up for the other typhoons that the Philippines encounter) to people.
Right at the beginning, one can already tell that the production design is remarkable. It was able to replicate the horrendous sights; dead bodies lying on the ground, destroyed appliances and furniture scattered around, the children's innocence (personally, I felt scared for them), people fighting, praying, wailing. Combined with the wide-angle compositions, it gives off a sense of immersion for the viewers as to what it could feel like being in those places-rather, in that state. Dir. Manatad focused more on the characters' emotions and thoughts, which made it more intriguing considering that the three main characters had different goals. They also had different perspectives of the reality they are experiencing.
Generally, the film was able to showcase the various impacts of a typhoon (though this film is centered on typhoon Yolanda, it also speaks up for the other typhoons that the Philippines encounter) to people.
Visually Stunning, Immersive Cinematography, An Eye-opener to All
tyroneluanzon8 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is not your run-of-the-mill Filipino film. Its satirical and surreal elements will have you wondering, but you will be mesmerized by its stunning visuals and realistic production design of the aftermath of a disaster.
Yolanda is a typhoon. But, to be honest, the visual elements carried the film for the most part, as the narrative and direction were a little too slow phased for my liking. Still, from the director's point of view, perhaps the slow-paced narrative and direction were the director's way of relating to the character's experience of what it's like to be in that kind of situation; lost and uncertain, hoping for a miracle as time slowly passes.
The filmmaker's choice of surrealism perfectly captures the almost trance-like state one feels when in the middle of a wreckage as grave as the characters in this film are experiencing. To those who have seen and experienced the devastation caused by typhoons in the Philippines, this wreckage may appear routine or customary, as if it is just a part of their annual routine. However, there are times when this wreckage would go unnoticed. Sometimes things are out of the ordinary; a few moments of youthful energy amidst the rubble, a few seconds of silence as one lights a cigarette, or the occurrence of an unexpected miracle from an unexpected person. For a split second, the characters would be transported away from their tragic reality and into a state of pure confusion, only to be quickly dragged back into reality, more refreshed than a few seconds before.
You will definitely feel the tragedy that Typhoon Yolanda has caused to the people by seeing the dead bodies on the streets, the wreckage it has caused, and the way each character deals with the process of moving on from the tragedy at many points in the film. Although it is a film full of absurdity and elements that may not be for everyone or new to some, it is worth noting that it definitely brought something different that can lead to a new path in Philippine Cinema.
So, if you're looking for something new, different, and possibly even strange, this film is a must-see.
Yolanda is a typhoon. But, to be honest, the visual elements carried the film for the most part, as the narrative and direction were a little too slow phased for my liking. Still, from the director's point of view, perhaps the slow-paced narrative and direction were the director's way of relating to the character's experience of what it's like to be in that kind of situation; lost and uncertain, hoping for a miracle as time slowly passes.
The filmmaker's choice of surrealism perfectly captures the almost trance-like state one feels when in the middle of a wreckage as grave as the characters in this film are experiencing. To those who have seen and experienced the devastation caused by typhoons in the Philippines, this wreckage may appear routine or customary, as if it is just a part of their annual routine. However, there are times when this wreckage would go unnoticed. Sometimes things are out of the ordinary; a few moments of youthful energy amidst the rubble, a few seconds of silence as one lights a cigarette, or the occurrence of an unexpected miracle from an unexpected person. For a split second, the characters would be transported away from their tragic reality and into a state of pure confusion, only to be quickly dragged back into reality, more refreshed than a few seconds before.
You will definitely feel the tragedy that Typhoon Yolanda has caused to the people by seeing the dead bodies on the streets, the wreckage it has caused, and the way each character deals with the process of moving on from the tragedy at many points in the film. Although it is a film full of absurdity and elements that may not be for everyone or new to some, it is worth noting that it definitely brought something different that can lead to a new path in Philippine Cinema.
So, if you're looking for something new, different, and possibly even strange, this film is a must-see.
Whether the Weather is Fine - or not.
giulssaaveds1 March 2022
For someone who experienced being hit by a chaotic disaster myself, I went inside the cinema expecting this critically-acclaimed film to be a medium to explore a story of family and drama while facing a catastrophic event that once filled all the headlines and brought in an international attention. But upon seeing the first few shots, accompanied by a very bizarre music compared to the visuals, I already felt what the film is trying to achieve.
Kun Maupay It Panahon (Whether the Weather is Fine) - a debut film of Carlo Francisco Manatad - is a tale about three people; Miguel (Daniel Padilla), Norma (Charo Santos), and Andrea (Rans Rifol); while they cruise through the ruins of Tacloban, Leyte after the devastating supertyphoon Yolanda.
The film's composition of wide shots and very detailed production design gives a sense of immersiveness to the viewers to feel with the main characters. The ambiguity of the characters while they interact with the surroundings blends well with how they slowly walk towards their own different goals. And it's very evident how the treatment of Manatad plays not with the outward interaction of the characters with their environment, but with their inner emotions and perception of their current reality. I also like the film's satirical critique of the Filipino resiliency and the subtlety of how they tried to show it.
Overall, the absurdism of the film worked really well on portraying the stories of the characters. It's a storytelling that gives a firm social voice on how things usually unfolds on casastrophes outside and within ourselves. And it's truly devastating, whether the weather is fine - or not.
Kun Maupay It Panahon (Whether the Weather is Fine) - a debut film of Carlo Francisco Manatad - is a tale about three people; Miguel (Daniel Padilla), Norma (Charo Santos), and Andrea (Rans Rifol); while they cruise through the ruins of Tacloban, Leyte after the devastating supertyphoon Yolanda.
The film's composition of wide shots and very detailed production design gives a sense of immersiveness to the viewers to feel with the main characters. The ambiguity of the characters while they interact with the surroundings blends well with how they slowly walk towards their own different goals. And it's very evident how the treatment of Manatad plays not with the outward interaction of the characters with their environment, but with their inner emotions and perception of their current reality. I also like the film's satirical critique of the Filipino resiliency and the subtlety of how they tried to show it.
Overall, the absurdism of the film worked really well on portraying the stories of the characters. It's a storytelling that gives a firm social voice on how things usually unfolds on casastrophes outside and within ourselves. And it's truly devastating, whether the weather is fine - or not.
Carlo Manatad was insane for this
jhunelamonterde9 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Starting the film with a bird's eye view, seeing the destruction, countless deaths, wrecked buildings and houses, I remember one peaceful afternoon inside our home in 2013, classes suspended and I was scrolling through my old facebook account. I saw a post from one of my friends saying that he would rather wake up early in time for school, rather than seeing our kababayans struggle and literally fight for their lives because of the destruction that was caused by the supertyphoon Yolanda. Back then it got me thinking, if people like us who are thousands of miles away from them feel this sadness, what more are the people that were directly affected?
Kun Maupay Man It Panahon, the debut film of the director Carlo Francisco Manatad. Manatad is surely brave for producing this film and going back to his roots. The film stars Norma (Charo Santos), Miguel (Daniel Padilla), and Andrea (Rans Rifol). It is a film that tackles how our Kababayans back then were able to face the feeling of losing everything- portrayed in absurd yet understandable or insane-like ways of storytelling. The film had a large scale production design that was insanely good, I commend Whammy Alcazaren for it. The cinematography of Teck Siang Lim was also too good to not mention. The film portrayed properly with the help of these aspects that helped in improving the visual storytelling of the narrative.
Grief is such a powerful emotion. One you can not help but feel deeply, one that makes you lose reality. This is what the film was able to show us. The fairytale-like appearance of the carabao with a beautiful-made bahay kubo at his back, in absurd ways like this the film tells us how devastating one must feel to be able to envision a picture like this. Losing someone is one thing, but losing literally everything is too much, just too much.
I remember being 13 and grieving for them, but the people of Tacloban remember 2013 and god knows what they think and feel. The film was a good watch, it makes you realize and feel the sense of loss, lost and losing. It will make you remember how nature is such a beautiful thing, but when it stands up and makes us pay for our dues, we will all be fighting a losing battle.
Kun Maupay Man It Panahon, the debut film of the director Carlo Francisco Manatad. Manatad is surely brave for producing this film and going back to his roots. The film stars Norma (Charo Santos), Miguel (Daniel Padilla), and Andrea (Rans Rifol). It is a film that tackles how our Kababayans back then were able to face the feeling of losing everything- portrayed in absurd yet understandable or insane-like ways of storytelling. The film had a large scale production design that was insanely good, I commend Whammy Alcazaren for it. The cinematography of Teck Siang Lim was also too good to not mention. The film portrayed properly with the help of these aspects that helped in improving the visual storytelling of the narrative.
Grief is such a powerful emotion. One you can not help but feel deeply, one that makes you lose reality. This is what the film was able to show us. The fairytale-like appearance of the carabao with a beautiful-made bahay kubo at his back, in absurd ways like this the film tells us how devastating one must feel to be able to envision a picture like this. Losing someone is one thing, but losing literally everything is too much, just too much.
I remember being 13 and grieving for them, but the people of Tacloban remember 2013 and god knows what they think and feel. The film was a good watch, it makes you realize and feel the sense of loss, lost and losing. It will make you remember how nature is such a beautiful thing, but when it stands up and makes us pay for our dues, we will all be fighting a losing battle.
Resiliency
darlajaninedajose2 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Kun Maupay Man It Panahon or Whether the Weather is Fine is a Philippine film produced in 2021, directed by Carlo Francisco Manatad with its main cast Daniel Padilla as Miguel and Charo Santos-Concio as Norma. The film revolved around Miguel looking for her mom, Norma. It started with a full shot of Miguel laying down in the middle of the mess that the typhoon left with them which was really powerful because it explained a lot about the emotions and decisions of the characters. The shots were well thought of and I noticed that there were a lot of dolly and wide shots. The wide shots explained how the characters were still in shock after what had happened to them and the dolly shots brought the audience to the characters' emotions as if they were being put in the same position as the characters. For the wide shots they used it a lot to show what has happened to the character because with production design and the use of shot size explain a lot to the audience. Their use of shot size determined up to how big the production design would be. The production design and cinematography were major factors in this film.
Because of these, the title explains that in Philippine culture, no matter how badly we have been hit by typhoons, we are always expected to be resilient in our own little ways may it be our faith in God, or surviving on our own just like how they showed it in this film that people were getting aggressive already because they didn't know how to survive anymore and that indeed they need help instead of expecting them to just be resilient. The most important scenes were the first one, when Norma asked Miguel to hit him just so she could see his father, and then the last scene because these scenes explained so much about survival in times of need.
The film was different from other generations' films because in this one, even though they discussed such a heavy topic, they used a different approach in terms of the scoring. The scoring was just light and as if I was just in a dream which could probably explain some scenes wherein people would dance and scenes wherein Norma was sort of hallucinating. This factor could relay the message as to how typhoon victims (represented by Miguel and Norma) feel that they don't know how to differentiate dreams from reality anymore because if everything was just a dream maybe they still have their houses and they could still have the lives that were lost.
Overall, with the dolly shots and scoring, this film made me closer to the characters' emotions. The film made me feel even more devastated for the typhoon victims and how they're expected to just be resilient and survive on their own. The film's story, production design, cinematography, directing, acting and scoring collectively worked together to be able to produce a good film like this.
Because of these, the title explains that in Philippine culture, no matter how badly we have been hit by typhoons, we are always expected to be resilient in our own little ways may it be our faith in God, or surviving on our own just like how they showed it in this film that people were getting aggressive already because they didn't know how to survive anymore and that indeed they need help instead of expecting them to just be resilient. The most important scenes were the first one, when Norma asked Miguel to hit him just so she could see his father, and then the last scene because these scenes explained so much about survival in times of need.
The film was different from other generations' films because in this one, even though they discussed such a heavy topic, they used a different approach in terms of the scoring. The scoring was just light and as if I was just in a dream which could probably explain some scenes wherein people would dance and scenes wherein Norma was sort of hallucinating. This factor could relay the message as to how typhoon victims (represented by Miguel and Norma) feel that they don't know how to differentiate dreams from reality anymore because if everything was just a dream maybe they still have their houses and they could still have the lives that were lost.
Overall, with the dolly shots and scoring, this film made me closer to the characters' emotions. The film made me feel even more devastated for the typhoon victims and how they're expected to just be resilient and survive on their own. The film's story, production design, cinematography, directing, acting and scoring collectively worked together to be able to produce a good film like this.
The unachievable calm after the chaos
jehnamalinis2 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Not unknown to many, the Philippines, due to its geographical location, is prone to tropical typhoons, facing roughly 20 each year leaving thousands of homes in destruction and families in great devastation.
Set in 2013, Carlo Francisco Manatad's directorial debut film, Kun Maupay Man it Panahon or Whether the Weather is Fine dives into the social realities of the aftermath of the strongest tropical cyclone to ever hit the country, Typhoon Yolanda or more known as "Haiyan", and the mainly-hit, Tacloban City.
The film stars veteran actress, Charo Santos, one of today's heartthrobs, Daniel Padilla, and a fresh face in film, Rans Rifol, a casting combination made perfect to entice enough viewers yet give the performance needed to give justice to the story. With a great range in special appearances by actors such as Francis Magundayao, Nico Antonio, and veteran actor, Rolando Inocencio and child actress, Miel Espinosa.
The film begins with Padilla, who plays the main protagonist, Miguel, waking up after the chaos of the storm, he then meets his fierce and fearless girlfriend, Andrea, played by Rifol, who helps him find his mother, Norma, played by Santos who is in dire search for her husband before she would allow themselves to take off the island. The story centers around their plight in the midst of all the chaos after the storm, a destroyed community and the fight for survival. Might be seemingly rash, the film aims to confront its viewers on the harsh reality of what it feels like to be lost, desperate, afraid, and hurt.
An outstanding production design, the film recreates the world of what its like after the chaos. All things owned now scrap, dead bodies lying everywhere, and people who are either stealing or fighting to be able to survive, and praying, crying out of desperation to see their loved ones, not knowing if they are still alive. The film shows that in times when all is gone, the most vulnerable people become, making big the hope they had thought was lost, as seen near the end when Andrea suddenly becomes a saint who 'heals'.
Hand-in-hand with the production design and the visual effects, the film also delivered great cinematography, giving the final detail to make it immersive, the best that would describe it. Each shot is carefully crafted with delicate details that add to the story.
Overall, the film is a must watch. Masterfully created to the brink. In today's industry filled with stories from the built worlds comes a story from the real world-retold, in such a way that wants to slap its viewers with the harsh realities of victims of the yearly calamities but at the same time, with subtle details of surrealism by the end, just enough to give its makers creative freedom and pique imagination.
Set in 2013, Carlo Francisco Manatad's directorial debut film, Kun Maupay Man it Panahon or Whether the Weather is Fine dives into the social realities of the aftermath of the strongest tropical cyclone to ever hit the country, Typhoon Yolanda or more known as "Haiyan", and the mainly-hit, Tacloban City.
The film stars veteran actress, Charo Santos, one of today's heartthrobs, Daniel Padilla, and a fresh face in film, Rans Rifol, a casting combination made perfect to entice enough viewers yet give the performance needed to give justice to the story. With a great range in special appearances by actors such as Francis Magundayao, Nico Antonio, and veteran actor, Rolando Inocencio and child actress, Miel Espinosa.
The film begins with Padilla, who plays the main protagonist, Miguel, waking up after the chaos of the storm, he then meets his fierce and fearless girlfriend, Andrea, played by Rifol, who helps him find his mother, Norma, played by Santos who is in dire search for her husband before she would allow themselves to take off the island. The story centers around their plight in the midst of all the chaos after the storm, a destroyed community and the fight for survival. Might be seemingly rash, the film aims to confront its viewers on the harsh reality of what it feels like to be lost, desperate, afraid, and hurt.
An outstanding production design, the film recreates the world of what its like after the chaos. All things owned now scrap, dead bodies lying everywhere, and people who are either stealing or fighting to be able to survive, and praying, crying out of desperation to see their loved ones, not knowing if they are still alive. The film shows that in times when all is gone, the most vulnerable people become, making big the hope they had thought was lost, as seen near the end when Andrea suddenly becomes a saint who 'heals'.
Hand-in-hand with the production design and the visual effects, the film also delivered great cinematography, giving the final detail to make it immersive, the best that would describe it. Each shot is carefully crafted with delicate details that add to the story.
Overall, the film is a must watch. Masterfully created to the brink. In today's industry filled with stories from the built worlds comes a story from the real world-retold, in such a way that wants to slap its viewers with the harsh realities of victims of the yearly calamities but at the same time, with subtle details of surrealism by the end, just enough to give its makers creative freedom and pique imagination.
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