The Metro Manila Film Festival has been hit and miss for a lot of people. Personally, the best year they’ve had so far that I remember was when they had “indie films” like Saving Sally and Seklusyon in their lineup. When I talked to a few of my friends and acquaintances, they said the same thing.
This year’s lineup has been out for a while and in two days, they’ll be premiering in cinemas nationwide. One film that’s caught my eye after watching its trailer is Rainbow’s Sunset by director Joel Lamangan, which stars veteran actors Eddie Garcia, Gloria Romero, and Tony Mabesa.
Rainbow’s Sunset is about a grandpa (Eddie Garcia) who comes out to his family as gay and takes care of his ailing best friend and the love of his life (Tony Mabesa). Based on the trailer, what happens in the duration of that is their kids (Tirso Cruz III, Sunshine Dizon, and Aiko Melendez) trying to accept the fact their dad isn’t who they thought. It’s pretty emotional, especially when you see his wife (Gloria Diaz) begging him to come back.
First off, I want to say that I’m stoked to see the film, especially after finding out it was Graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board. (The only other film in MMFF 2018 with that rating is Jack em Popoy.) If you think about it, it’s a huge deal since it talks about a side of the LGBTQ community that we don’t often see. Sure, we’re used to movies with adolescents struggling with their identities—but there’s not much mainstream material that tackles the elders’ experiences.
Additionally, I’m a sucker for slice-of-life movies that tell relatable stories. I haven’t seen Rainbow’s Sunset but trailer already gives a glimpse of just how #real the dialog is going to be. “This is a big scandal for the family. What a shame!” Aiko’s character would exclaim. There’s also a scene wherein one of the grandkids would get in a fight because he’s being teased that his lolo is gay.
During a premiere preview, Radyo Inquirer reported that the LGBTQ community praised the film and there were no dry eyes in the cinema. It just makes me even more intrigued to see how Joel Lamangan portrayed the lives of these characters, as well as the issues embedded in the film. I’m also hopeful that Rainbow’s Sunset will give more perspective and awareness to lessen discrimination.
Art by Marian Hukom
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