by Contributor,
Aug. 25, 2013
After winning five awards in the
recently held Cinemalaya Awards and now our official
participant in this year’s Toronto International Film Festival,
Ekstra (The Bit Player) is one of the most buzzed local films of
the year. It is a socio-realist drama-comedy that follows a
seemingly usual day in the life of Loida Malabanan (played by Vilma
Santos) as she embarks on yet another shooting day of a soap
opera as an extra or bit player. As the shoot goes on, we get a glimpse of the
reality in the ruling system of the production as well as the exploitation of
the marginalized laborers like her.
There was a line in the movie that if
you feel that you can’t do the role, you should learn to say no. I’m glad Vilma
Santos didn’t say no to this indie film. Winning Best Actress in this year’s
Cinemalaya for her role here, Vilma Santos gives undeniable warmth in her
scenes. She delivers her lines with the right emotions to affect you. She takes
you along with her character Loida’s journey. If she has to be funny, you’ll
laugh at her and if it’s time to be serious, you’ll feel her pain. Well, she’s
the Star for all Seasons after all. Supporting her is Rosario
“Tart” Carlos who shined to fame as the maid Doris in Be
Careful With My Heart. Tart Carlos fits her role and is very
effective in it so is Ruby Ruiz who won Best
Supporting Actress as she portrayed the casting director. Actually, all the
experienced female bit players in the film are good. I remember there was this
scene in the van where they talked and shared. It was an interesting
conversation to hear. Having all these performances make it easier for the
audience to sympathize with them as we get transported to a day of their lives.
It’s not an easy job as it looks. You don’t just stand in the background and
earn. There are troubles and hurtful remarks included in the job’s description.
There’s a harsh reality into it.
Set in the entertainment industry, the
film also offers a chance for some big stars to participate. We see Cherry
Pie Picache and Richard Yap in the
opening. For the mock teleserye, there’s Marian Rivera and Piolo
Pascual as the main leads, Cherie Gil
as the villain, Tom Rodriguez as the
third wheel of the love triangle, a glimpse of Eula Valdez
and the presence of Pilar Pilapil as Cherie
Gil’s sister. What I liked in some of these performances is that they were able
to mock the usual stereotype their roles have to do. I particularly find both
Marian Rivera and Cherie Gil amusing in their candid and filming personalities.
Besides the life of the bit players, this is another side of the film focused
on – the difficulty on production and the clichés that has to go with it like
the importance of product placements. It got to show the ugly and dirty side of
making a teleserye – the cheapening of the budget, the latecomers, the long
hours and the backstabbing comments. One might not wish to be part of a
production like this. It was a satirical take and I enjoyed it.
Overall, I like this film. It didn’t
feel dragging. It’s a very energetic film with a hilariously written script.
The ending may feel abrupt as I felt that too. But after thinking about it for
creative reasons, I think it’s the most fitting way to end the day of a bit
player. Loida’s emotion alone in that scene summarizes it all.
Verdict:
With Vilma Santos and her lively
supporting cast, you might find Ekstra something worthwhile to see.
Produced by Quantum
Films and distributed by Star Cinema, Ekstra is
still showing in limited theaters!
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