#filmcrew

2023, Saint-Petersburg

Printed in Saint-Petersburg

Roll 03 | MOMENTS BETWEEN TAKES

Most of filmmaking isn't "action."

It's waiting on lights, checking focus, testing shots, quiet conversations at the bar, musicians soundchecking, crew pacing the room before anyone notices the work.

The moments between the moments usually tell the better story.

Minolta 7s | 35mm BTS

L Will Forever Be My Favorite, It Became A Standard

disclaimer: I do not assure the readers that this is a spoiler-free review because it is not. I'm sorry.

L - Posible nga Lata. Posible nga si Lucy. Posible nga Alas Tres

(L - Possible Can. Possibly Lucy. Possible 3 o'clock.)

(film poster retrieved from the Official Facebook Page of the film L(2021))

CREW:

Directed by John Lesther Alonsagay and Co-directed by Avery Clyde Dimasuhid Written by Avery Clyde Dimasuhid, Philip John Wapaño, and Miguel Urquico Cinematography by John Lesther Alonsagay Edited by Ernest Vonn Claude Tolete, Hazel Cataquiz, and Alyssa DiabakidOriginal Composition by Philip John Wapaño

CAST:

Giancarlo Ezekiel Ratilla as Kokoy Key Marie Alutaya as Lucy Connie Jay Gargalicano as Pipay Philip John Wapaño as Host

The first student short film that I’ve ever watched inspired me and affected my whole life. This short film is directed by John Lesther Alonsagay and Avery Clyde Dimasuhid. It is a story about a young boy named Kokoy, wondering about the change of environment because of the pandemic. He finds it hard to understand the circumstances as a youngster, which also affects his mother. Curious as he is, he finds answers by talking to his neighbor, Lucy.

This film won the Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best poster, Best Film, and Special Award for Non-ADDU Performer in the Cineatenista '21 hosted by the Ateneo Filmmakers Society. They are also in the Mindanao Film Festival and Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition and have been nominated for Best Actor in Cinemugat 1st Tagum City Short Film Festival.

From the cinematography to the soundtrack, it is *a chef’s kiss*. The film is very heartwarming and wholesome in a way you could see the innocence of a child. It depicts life in quarantine in the eyes of Kokoy. The story is simple but unique, with the right amount of everything. As the film goes on, you’ll notice that Lucy is the neighbor’s name, 3 o’clock is shaped like a letter L, and “can” in Bisaya is “lata.” These could be the things that make the film “L” its title. I love how the characters are natural as if you are living inside the film and how true to life those situations are depicted: how they portrayed a child searching for ways to cure his boredom by making a makeshift telephone using cans and yarns. The older sister reprimanding her younger brother may seem harsh, but as the story progresses, you can see that she is caring for her brother. The neighbor acts as a second older sister by entertaining Kokoy by answering his curiosity while his sister is busy taking care of their mother, who was quarantined. I could say that they had a great casting choice, especially for the leading child actor, since they all have brought the characters to life and given them justice in the film.

(photos and movie still retrieved from the Official Facebook Page and Film of L(2021))

The makeshift telephone is a witty idea. Knowing that this film was made during a pandemic (with a lot of restrictions and for safety precautions,) using the makeshift telephone is a great way to achieve seamless shots as if they were filmed in the exact location. 

What I love the most about this film is that we get to see a glimpse of what children see, as they view the world differently from us teenagers and adults, most of the time we cannot force them to view things as we see them. In conclusion, “L” is one of the greatest student short films I’ve ever watched, it is well-written and light. It may have its flaws, but it is unnoticeable by the audience’s eye.

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2023, Saint-Petersburg

Printed in Saint-Petersburg