Staff Review/ Metro Manila

Cornerhouse Digital Reporter Miranda Wade reviews Metro Manila

A striking match creates sound like a blade, or gunfire – a fitting prelude to writer and director Sean Ellis’ high drama, Metro Manila. The film leads with a simple premise, fable-like, of the young working family who abandon a peaceful existence in the rice fields of Benguet to behold their fortune in the Philippine capital.

These aren’t money-hungry folk, either. Mai knows her baby is hungry, and Oscar wants to mend his daughter’s toothache. Perhaps there is a better future for their children in the city, but ultimately they have no other option.

In the face of setbacks mounting in severity, the couple pray. They appear and remain oblivious to their already tragic situation. Clichés are plentiful in both plot and dialogue; Oscar’s first glimpse of downtown Manila is a bikini-clad model on a billboard selling herself, and possibly the swimwear.

When things get serious, however, the action is deftly compelling and the characters entirely themselves. Handheld cameras make for convincing moments of documentary, and Ellis’ shows a sensitivity for small, momentary stories. A cat standing guard over her newborn kittens, aspirational and helpless like lovers Mai and Oscar.

Water, too, is a symbol used to great effect in Metro Manila. When the couple are made tenants of a house with running water, we can immediately appreciate their revel in taking a shower together, possibly the first in their lives. When Oscar’s boss snarls “Don’t speak. You have no voice in this world,” the statement cuts because we recognise its truth.

Faith, corruption, danger, betrayal – for such hefty subject matter, there is humour to be had here, albeit chiefly ironic. I’d never seen a film set in the Philippines until now, and am sad to say I expected less. Ellis presents a sensual, hopeful story that manages to inform as well as to entertain. Much like the chicken lunch Oscar plans to save until dinner, you’re perhaps best off eating now – see this while you can.

Our BAFTA preview of Metro Manila takes place at Cornerhouse this Wed 4 Sept at 18:00. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Sean Ellis and actor Jake Macapagal. Watch the trailer here and book your tickets by calling 0161 200 1500.