Butas (2024): A Cinematic Understanding of Love, Identity, and Filipino Culture
Discussions about Filipino cinema emerged with the premiere of Not A Love Story or Butas in August 2024. Directed by Dado C. Lumibao, this new film tackles the intricacies of modern relationships, the formation of identity, and the search for meaning in an ever-evolving world. Academic discourse often centers on textual analysis, but in this case, the lived experiences and struggles contributed by the film’s cast and crew should also be considered.
A Glimpse into the Story
Focusing on Mayette (Angela Morena), Kayla (Angelica Hart), Noel (Albie Casiño), and Benjie (JD Aguas), the film explores 4 different people and the different folds of their personal relationships and the identities in their complexities. The film attempts to tackle love and self-discovery in the challenges of contemporary Filipino society. As with the Butas (Not A Love Story) discourse, the film explores the realization of the social values and pressures in the decisions exercised by the self.
The Cast and the Real Struggles
Reflecting the struggles of many, Alexandra Maria Lagmay, known to many by her first name Angela, and the Mayette character, adds complexity to the already multi-dimensional character as Mayette in Butas. Angela’s choice of her Mayette character resonates with her own struggles as an actress wherein she is committed to taking on roles that push the boundaries of societal norms.
Angelica Hart, playing the role of Kayla, adds complexity to the film’s treatment of love and identity. Having worked in the field for a number of years, Hart has become a seasoned boundary-pusher. In Butas, the character’s Hart plays almost exactly describes Hart’s persona of a social deviator and a truth seeker.
Having been recognized for his dynamic performances, Albie Casiño imbues the character of Noel with great complexity. Casiño’s depiction of a man forced to reconcile personal ambitions with social demands deepens the film’s narrative. His industry experiences, which are both successful and problematic, are perhaps the motivation to his crafted work.
JD Aguas, who plays Benjie, enriches the film with realism. Being new to the field, Aguas exemplifies a novel approach to his character. His representation of a character who struggles with contemporary relationship issues, and modern romance, with empathy, will resonate with, and is important for, a younger audience looking for authentic representation in media.
Dado C. Lumibao, Director of Butas, sought to achieve a balance between entertainment and discourse. From his experience in various genres, Butas Director Lumibao crafted the themes of the film with care. Under his direction, the film handled complex themes with such sensitivity that the cast was able to capture the spirit of their roles.
Butas faced the challenges of location shooting and the corresponding logistical coordination. Butas production team stayed faithful to the characters, and captured the scenes with the lived realities of the characters in mind. The challenges to the production team and cast were of a different nature and were related to their dedication.
Butas tapped into the thematic realities of social relationships that are central to the discourse around love, identity and societal norms. The film was received well in the Philippines and abroad, generating discourse around the traversing of desire, the consolidation of identity, and the need for representation relative to the modern discourse returning to the complexities of relationships.
The film garnered a positive reception for its unvarnished representation of modern-day life in the Philippines. Reviewers have commended the cast’s performances for the depth and realism they provided in their portrayals of the character’s hardships and victories. The film’s treatment of thematics related to self-exploration and prevailing norms of the society had a profound impact on the audience and was a worthy addition to Philippine cinema.
Previously Unaddressed Themes and Facts
The film Butas has also drawn appreciation for elements that have not been unofficially publicized to the same degree as the performance and the production elements. To illustrate, the film’s score was produced by young Filipino talent and provides an artistic framing to the narrative, considering the score was designed in accordance with the thematic narrative of the film, which reinforces the emotional articulation of the character’s progression throughout the film.
Moreover, the film’s beautifully executed cinematography serves as a testament to the character’s progression, and the choice of the locales and composition of the frames reinforce the film’s narrative on exploration of the character’s self and the concept of belonging in the society.
A Film That Reflects Society
Butas is not just a film; it is a reflection of today’s Filipino society. It explores love and identity, and the complexities associated with it, within the characters and the journeys they take. Dado C. Lumibao’s direction, coupled with the narratives, create a film that is engaging yet raises important issues that one should think about.
In an era where conversations about love and identity are becoming increasingly fearless, Butas is a powerful reminder of the magnitude of storytelling and the necessity of representation. It is an important addition to Filipino cinema, as it calls the audience to examine their beliefs and perceptions.
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