What’s great about Cinemalaya is that it allows filmmakers to talk about society’s maladies without filters.

By being uncensored, these films give us a clearer picture of what’s going on around us. And they can do that unapologetically.

Louie Ignacio’s “School Service” is one good example. Just like “Liway” and “The Lookout” the Ai Ai Delas Alas starrer looked pretty promising in the trailers. I actually thought Delas Alas looked really good from the trailers and that’s the main reason why I wanted to see it.

And she didn’t disappoint.

Delas Alas plays Rita, a hustler who kidnaps kids and makes them beg for money in the streets. They are cramped inside their mobile home, a school service van.

The movie depicts what we commonly see on the streets: young kids knocking on car windows for coins, sniffing rugby, young girls offering sex for money, and “disabled” elders appealing to people’s pity.

But what jolted me was the movie’s rawness. The kids were literally cursing as easily as they breathe. They mutter obscenity and profanity that I was scared for the kids in real life. It’s like they’re scarred for life after filming because of all the profanity and physical abuse they were subjected to.

And because I felt that way, that could mean the movie is that effective.

The movie is straightforward, which is nice. Although it doesn’t offer anything earth-shattering, you can commend it for being raw and authentic. Not to mention the impressive performances of its cast from Delas Alas to Joel Lamangan to Therese Malvar and Celine Juan.

If there’s any takeaway from this movie, it’s great acting.

Directed by: Louie Ignacio

Cast: Ai-Ai delas Alas, Joel Lamangan, Celine Juan, Therese Malvar, Felixia Dizon, Joe Gruta, Kenken Nuyad, Kevin Sagra, Santino Oquendo & Ace Café