As an addendum to the previous post, I just want to reiterate that I don’t have anything against “downer” films or literature per se (I do, after all, own copies of Pan’s Labyrinth and The Prestige among others), or films that explore the hidden complexities and, yes, darkness that exists in us (Wong Kar-Wai’s Fallen Angels, anyone?).
I just dislike torture-porn, poverty-porn, and the like; films that exist to glorify and revel in these things under the guise of seeking profundity. The kind of message films I like are subtle in their approach and deliberate in their execution, cautionary tales of what could go wrong with either society, technology, or humanity if something is not done.
Those films done well usually have the harsh lessons balanced by some sort of innate hope under the surface, hope that either the characters will succeed in learning their lessons and proceeding with life, or we will.
I have seen too many films of the other kind, the kind that bash you on the head for shock value and then claiming a message.
As I have not seen Kinatay, I cannot say if it offers hope.
But by all accounts, it is brutal and tasteless. Subtle, it is not.
As a caveat, if I seem overly harsh as well, is is because I am probably knee-jerk reacting to the godawful pinoy trolls on Ebert’s blog.
