Of Sinners and Saints

I think this film could have been a better film if the director, who is also the lead actor, had left directing to someone else. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that Soriquez is not a good director, but I feel I put more energy in acting than in directing this film. I loved his performance as Leonardo Rossellini, but I cannot say the same directing wise. Maybe the film is too slow, maybe it could have been trimmed out a little bit more. But ending though is lovely and the final scene reminds me of the great Sergio Leone. Those close ups while the tensions builds up helped by a good score, is simply great. I am waiting for his next film to be released.

This hidden gem is both inspiring and entertaining. The story is not that original but the way it is treated is really good also thanks to the good cinematic sensibility and good eye of the director. The film starts slow and ends fast paced and exciting with an excellent orchestral music the scores a unexpected ending. The acting is excellent as well. It's an inspiring film about faith, sacrifice and redemption without the intention of indoctrination.

This film is a very rare example of a Filipino Independent film done with less than 200,000 USD but with an International appeal and standard of execution. The plot is well engineered and fills the gaps of a screenplay that could have been better. There is great acting in this film, starting from the actor/director Ruben Maria Soriquez that delivers a very good performance and ending with Raymond Bagatsing that gives prove of an uncommon intensity portraying Father Carlos, the head priest of a poor area in Manila. The music is superb, composed by the talented Italian musician Franco Eco as well as the cinematography by the upcoming cinematographer Apollo Anao. The film is full of pathos but not the cheap one found in tons of soap opera in the Philippine TV. It's not declared with tears and screams but subtle and whispered. Thumbs up for this film.

I came across this film on Amazon and since I travel yearly to the Philippines I decided to start watching. 100 minutes of my time well spent. Well shot by the good eyes of the director, this film is quite engaging even for those who are neither religious nor catholic. Faith is one of the major "character" of this film. Faith with its issues and difficulties. This film has a great deal of depth and social issues are dealt with great sensitivity. All the actors gave justice to their roles, mostly the lead actor who is the director himself. Good cinematography and production design, great music. I recommend it.

Well crafted independent film. Usually in the Philippines low budget indie are shaky camera, bad photography, not enough character development. This film is different. The camera is steady, sometimes almost too steady where I could have appreciated a good hand held one. The music is exceptional even though sometimes is too "Hans Zimmer like". I would have appreciated a much more minimalist score in some introspective scenes. As far as the content is concerned, I was really touched, as a woman, by how it deals with violence against women. It really makes you hate the"contrabida" (the tagalog word for "antagonist") Polo Ravales for how he treats women. Usually he plays macho and gwapo roles in pinoy movies and TV and I was really impressed seeing him as the bad guy. Regarding Soriquez, director and lead actor, what to say...good job! But if he wants to direct and act as a lead he has to make sure he has really good camera operator and DOP backing him. Just my thoughts....