A Boy's Journey of Discovery and Friendship in Dose (Twelve)

Dose Twelve Indie Film: A Review

Dose Twelve Indie Film is a 2008 Filipino drama film written and directed by Senedy Que. It tells the story of a 12-year-old boy named Edy (Yul Servo) who develops an unlikely friendship with a lonely gardener named Pogi (Emilio Garcia). The film explores the themes of age, gender, sexuality, and innocence in a controversial and poignant way.

Dose Twelve Indie Film

The Plot

The film begins with Edy celebrating his 12th birthday with his family and friends. He seems to have a normal and happy life, except for his distant relationship with his father (Ray An Dulay) who works as a security guard. Edy's curiosity leads him to explore the neighborhood and meet Pogi, a 40-year-old gardener who works for a wealthy family. Pogi is kind and gentle to Edy, and they soon bond over their shared love of plants and animals. Edy finds in Pogi a father figure and a friend, while Pogi finds in Edy a source of joy and companionship.

However, their friendship takes a darker turn when Pogi starts to develop sexual feelings for Edy. He tries to suppress them, but he can't help but show his affection for the boy. Edy is confused and scared by Pogi's advances, but he also feels flattered and curious. He doesn't know how to react or what to do. He wants to keep Pogi as a friend, but he also wants to please him. He is torn between his innocence and his awakening sexuality.

The Cast

The film features two remarkable performances by Yul Servo and Emilio Garcia as Edy and Pogi, respectively. Servo delivers a nuanced and convincing portrayal of a boy who is caught between childhood and adolescence, innocence and experience. He captures Edy's curiosity, confusion, fear, and longing with subtlety and sensitivity. Garcia gives a complex and sympathetic performance as Pogi, a man who is lonely, depressed, and desperate for love. He makes Pogi's character believable and human, despite his immoral actions. He shows Pogi's kindness, vulnerability, guilt, and obsession with realism and emotion.

The supporting cast includes Irma Adlawan as Edy's mother, Ray An Dulay as Edy's father, Madeleine Nicolas as Pogi's employer, Tony Mabesa as Pogi's friend, and Mercedes Cabral as Edy's classmate. They all give solid performances that complement the main characters.

The Style

The film is shot in a realistic and minimalist style that suits the tone and theme of the story. The cinematography by Albert Banzon creates a contrast between the bright and colorful scenes of Edy's birthday party and the dark and gloomy scenes of Pogi's house. The editing by Charliebebs Gohetia creates a smooth and coherent narrative that builds up the tension and suspense. The music by Teresa Barrozo adds to the mood and atmosphere of the film.

The film also uses symbolism and imagery to convey the message and meaning of the story. For example, the plants and animals that Edy and Pogi care for represent their innocence and purity, while the scissors that Pogi uses to cut them represent his sexual desire and violence. The film also uses metaphors and allegories to illustrate the relationship between Edy and Pogi. For example, the story of Adam and Eve that Edy reads in school parallels their loss of innocence.

The Verdict

Dose Twelve Indie Film is a brave and bold film that tackles a sensitive and taboo topic with honesty and artistry. It challenges the viewers to think about the issues of age, gender, sexuality, and innocence in a different and provocative way. It is not an easy film to watch, but it is a film that deserves to be seen.

The Reception

Dose Twelve Indie Film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Some praised the film for its boldness and originality, while others criticized it for its disturbing and exploitative content. The film was rated X by the Philippine censors, which limited its distribution and exhibition. The film also faced controversy and backlash from various groups who condemned it for promoting pedophilia and child abuse. The film's director, Senedy Que, defended his work as a personal and artistic expression that aimed to challenge the viewers' perception and morality.

The Impact

Dose Twelve Indie Film is considered as one of the most controversial and influential films in Philippine cinema history. It sparked a debate and a dialogue about the issues of age, gender, sexuality, and innocence in the society. It also inspired other filmmakers to explore similar themes and topics in their works. The film also gained recognition and appreciation from international film festivals and critics, who hailed it as a brave and bold masterpiece of indie film.

The Conclusion

Dose Twelve Indie Film is a film that will not leave anyone indifferent. It is a film that will make you think, feel, question, and reflect. It is a film that will challenge your views and values. It is a film that will stay with you long after you watch it. It is a film that deserves your attention and respect.

The Background

Dose Twelve Indie Film is a product of the Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival, a project of the cable channel Cinema One that aims to support and showcase independent filmmakers in the Philippines. The film was one of the ten finalists of the 2008 edition of the festival, which had the theme of "Beyond Ratings". The film was given a budget of one million pesos and a creative freedom to make a film that would push the boundaries of cinema.

The Director

Dose Twelve Indie Film is the debut feature film of Senedy Que, a Filipino filmmaker who graduated from the University of the Philippines Film Institute. He has also directed several short films, such as "Ang Kapalaran ni Virgin Mario" (The Fate of Virgin Mario), "Ang Huling Araw ng Linggo" (The Last Day of the Week), and "Ang Lihim ni Antonio" (Antonio's Secret). He is known for his daring and provocative style of filmmaking that explores the themes of sexuality, identity, and morality.

The Awards

Dose Twelve Indie Film won several awards and nominations from various local and international film festivals and organizations. It won the Best Actor award for Yul Servo and the Best Editing award for Charliebebs Gohetia at the Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival. It also won the Best Director award for Senedy Que and the Best Screenplay award for Que and Archie del Mundo at the Gawad Urian Awards. It was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Editing, Best Music, and Best Sound at the FAMAS Awards. It was also selected to compete at the Rotterdam International Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, and the Montreal World Film Festival.

The Analysis

Dose Twelve Indie Film is a film that raises many questions and issues about the nature and morality of human relationships. It challenges the conventional notions of age, gender, sexuality, and innocence that are often imposed by the society and the culture. It explores the complex and ambiguous dynamics between Edy and Pogi, who are both victims and perpetrators of their own circumstances. It also examines the psychological and emotional effects of their friendship on themselves and on others.

The film does not offer any easy answers or judgments, but rather invites the viewers to reflect and empathize with the characters. It does not condone or condemn their actions, but rather exposes their motivations and consequences. It does not sensationalize or exploit their situation, but rather portrays it with realism and sensitivity. It does not manipulate or shock the viewers, but rather engages and challenges them.

The Comparison

Dose Twelve Indie Film is a film that can be compared and contrasted with other films that deal with similar themes and topics. For example, it can be compared with "Lolita" (1962), a film by Stanley Kubrick that adapts the novel by Vladimir Nabokov about a middle-aged man who becomes obsessed with a 12-year-old girl. It can also be compared with "The Reader" (2008), a film by Stephen Daldry that adapts the novel by Bernhard Schlink about a teenage boy who has an affair with an older woman who is later revealed to be a former Nazi guard. It can also be compared with "Moonlight" (2016), a film by Barry Jenkins that follows the life of a young black man who struggles with his identity and sexuality.

These films share some similarities and differences with Dose Twelve Indie Film in terms of their plot, characters, style, and message. They all explore the themes of age, gender, sexuality, and innocence in different ways and contexts. They all feature controversial and complex relationships that challenge the norms and expectations of the society. They all use different cinematic techniques and devices to tell their stories and convey their meanings. They all have different impacts and receptions from the critics and audiences.

The Recommendation

Dose Twelve Indie Film is a film that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in watching a different and daring kind of cinema. It is a film that will make you think, feel, question, and reflect. It is a film that will challenge your views and values. It is a film that will stay with you long after you watch it. It is a film that deserves your attention and respect. ca3e7ad8fd