• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
Film AnalysisIn Art Appreciation
“Crying Ladies”
Submitted by:Don M. Velasquez.Submitted to:Sir Miller DuronFebruary 29, 2009
 
1. Is there a larger theme or cultural worldview inherent in the story?
Yes, it has a large topic. And the subject matter for the movie, Crying Ladies, is that even if there are many struggles in life, we make sure that we must think constructively and have many waysto make our life be better. It has a worldwide inherent in which in the movie, it gives you an idea abouthow the Chinese-Filipino society commemorates a conventional wake and the process that it goeseveryday (to preparations until the day of the burial). Actually, the story revolves around these threeladies who each have their own story to tell, with their own struggles and challenges to face. And tosum it all up, some women cry out of sorrow. Some women cry out of joy. These women cry for money.
2. How is the theme or worldwide view expressed?
In the film, Crying Ladies, the theme was shown and revolve in the behavior and personality of each character as you can see Stella (Sharon Cuneta), Rhoda Rivera (Hilda Koronel), and Choleng(Angel Aquino), that each of them has a very only one of its kind characters or personalities that theyhave each struggles and ambiguity behind their inner self but they make all the possibility toovercome the struggles through realizations, awareness and figuring out the solutions in them. Theworldview is expressed through the formal procedure of the wake itself. You can see the differentcustom, belief, and tradition in a wake for that fact. In a bigger picture, you can see how a Chinesefamily behave during the wake and how they interact with the people especially the Filipino peoplethat is visiting the wake and most especially on how they react about the paid mourners. Furthermore,it was shot or taken on the place of Binondo, Manila wherein the Chinese-Filipino community livesand also it revolves in the Chinese funeral wake.
3. What types of "voices" are used in the film?
The voices that are used in the films are the characters itself. Because you can see in the filmthat the characters try to reach out to us that life are not merely a sweet life and the reality thatFilipinos, which has many difficulties in life, tries to be strong and tries to have a good life somehow.
Is there a match between the speaker who you see the voice associated/ assigned to him/her?
Yes, there is a match between the speaker and the voice because the voice and the speaker are only one. They speak through what they act and what they undergo during the film. As you cansee, you can relate with the characters because in the sense that the character's role really can beseen in each one of us everyday. It just shows that they just illustrate in their behavior a stereotypicalFilipino.
Are voices manipulated - how and for what purpose?
I think it is not manipulated because it flows naturally with the characters and that every scene,it has a direct hit for us and gave us a sense of belongingness. It really shows in the film the empathyof each of the actors to the people who have this kind of living.
4. What genre/type of film is this?
It is an education and yet popular film because this awesome film represents the culture andrelationship between the Chinese-Filipino and the Filipino community. Furthermore, it is popular because it is a unique film offering a different kind of setting, plot, unusual characters with twists. Wellcast and acted by some of the Philippines' foremost stars, and well-enough written and directed topull you along, this is an intriguing, enticing (though probably skin-deep) look into Filipino culture."Crying Ladies" is best appreciated for the winning performances of its trio of stars, who convey their characters' desperation with humor and poignancy. Also it is said to be comedy but somehow it wascategorized under the light drama genre. For the reason that some parts has so-called “ice breaker moments” wherein you will laugh to death with the scene along with some moments that you will crythat will in actuality tear your heart.
 
5. What cinematic strategies are used to reinforce particular themes or messages?
First, in the introduction part, you can see the creative transition in introducing each casts onthe film. These different shot scenes changes creatively and smoothly. It has also a segment that ineach day, a family offered or donated a money for the family who had someone whom passed away(it is like a start of another day and another chapter for the film). What's more it has great audioeffects that really enhance the scenes. You can also observe the creative cinematography whereinthe camera revolves up and down circling around while doing a drama scene.
6. What images or symbols are employed in the film?
The first symbol is the act of crying or mourning of the paid crying ladies. Because theybelieve, Chinese-Filipino people in their Chinese tradition, that if they are many mourners, it was saidthat it is a good feng shui because of the good karma it bring. The one who passed away will becalled “good person” that he/she in return will be raised into heaven and somehow shows that he/sheis loved so much that many people take into account him/her. Second, the Chinese symbols andrituals that is used for the wake. It shows that Chinese really stick to their principles of their oldtraditions that are inherited in China. Third, the karaoke (carry oke) wherein it is used as aninstrument of hope that every time Stella has nothing to do and to gave a stress-free time to herself,she sings with the karaoke and unnoticeably, that karaoke turns her to fame because she became animage model for karaoke videos. Fourth, the money or the “sweldo” wherein it gave the charactersstrong desire to strive to work and to have a good life. Fifth, the Stella and Bong relationship in whichit symbolizes the family ties and family bond. Sixth, the film Darna and the Giants, wherein it showsthat fame exist in each one of us and we must do it well before it ends. Lastly, the white color themeof the funeral was used all throughout the film. That color shows the innocence and purity of thepeople that somehow washes their sins and being apathetic.
7. Is there a narrator?
No, it has no narrator at all in the film because as you can see on the film, it is easilyunderstood by the viewer itself. The scenes ware almost self-explanatory and it adds that it is areality-life based film that can really empathized the viewers not just for Filipino people only but alsoother people of the other culture.
What is the narrator's primary function in the film?
If there is a narrator, its primary purpose for me is that he would somehow discuss andelaborate the feelings of the characters. Furthermore, if there is, it must discuss the inner feelings of each character. But for me, as I saw and observed on the film, each character can be a narrator because of their uniqueness in terms of their personalities. Maybe the narrator speaks to itself through the characters.
8. Are the voices of the narrator and the people filmed on equal par?
No. Because the only voice in the film is the third person limited. A third person limited narrator whose knowlegde is limited to one character, either major or minor, has a limited point of view. It islimited to the one character with whom the story is being told through
To what degree is the intersubjective nature of film/ filmaking apparent in the final product?
The characters were describing through their actions and conduct it. Every character has adifferent story on the film and they all entwine with one specific agenda which is crying in the wake. Itshows that every character really play a part on the film that makes it more appealing andexceptional from the other film because as you can perceive, the characters are somehow familiar buton this film, they make a lot of twists and other bizarre individuality that makes it supplementaryremarkable.
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...