There are no winners in wars, only casualties. That’s the sad reality. But what’s even more despairing is that the ones who suffer most are the one who have the least to do with these battles: the children.
Iar Lionel Arondaing’s “Musmos Na Sumibol Sa Gubat ng Digma” tells the story of a young Muslim girl, Eshal, who escapes the life-threatening backlash of Rido, or inter-familial dispute. After losing her parents, Eshal is left to care for her baby sibling and must conceal her true identity if she is to stay alive.
Along the way, she encounters a young boy who’s escaped the violent age-old culture and they develop some sort of a bond. Their low-key struggle for survival will take on a differen turn as they soon realize the truths behind their demise.
War movies are always enjoyable to watch because there are so many layers to go through. This is a fun experience for viewers because we get to peel off layers of the movie. From the very beginning, Eshal had this strange hold on us. She’s mysterious, as well as her backstory. We want to know what happens to her now that she has to pretend to be a boy and how will she care for her baby sibling?
People are out to get her. Will she survive in the middle of the jungle, alone? Then this boy comes along, who’s as shady as the trees concealing them. What impact will this boy have on her?
As the movie rolls along, the curiosity builds up. The problem is, it wasn’t satisfied. There was a resolution but it was underwhelming. In fact, I still don’t fully comprehend the entire story behind the relationship between the two. The realization came to me after the movie, but it was a fleeting moment. I guess it’s due in part to the incoherent exposition.
The movie was told mostly in flashbacks. And sometimes, the transition between the present and past is a little cranky. It disorients you a bit. And by the time you realize which time you’re in, the narrative has prodded on, so you’re left with a few questions.
Nevertheless, it didn’t make the movie confusing nor totally unresolved. We were still given the entire picture albeit devoid of some details. But if there was anything that made this movie impressive is its visuals.
From the first few seconds of the movie, the visuals have already taken hold of us. Each frame looked like a well composed photograph. The shots are beautiful. Mark Joseph Cosico has done an amazing job with the cinematography. It’s vivid and searing.
Directed by: Iar Lionel Arondaing
Cast: Junyka Sigrid Santarin, JM Salvado, Star Orjaliza, Jun Salvado Jr., Romerico Jangad, Darril Ampongan & Haide Movero
