Why John Denver Trending is a Modern Masterpiece
If you haven’t already heard about this Cinemalaya film, it’s high time you do.
John Denver Trending is a modern masterpiece.
Now, it’s not easy to throw around the word masterpiece. But this humble Filipino movie deserves the very distinction.
Fresh from last year’s Cinemalaya, John Denver Trending is a story about the power of social media, how we use it as a weapon, and how primitive we still are even though we are wielding its sophistication.
Our main character, John Denver Cabungcal is a 9th-grade barrio lad from Antique. From the outset, we are introduced to this timid young boy who is more than the surface. He lives with his mother, Marites Cabungcal, a single parent who weaves bags and other items just to make ends meet and his two equally aloof siblings. And their world is about to change because of a single click.
THE CHARACTERS
John Denver Trending is as its core, a character-driven story as everyone that graced the screen contributed to what had unfolded. Jansen Magpusao, a neophyte thespian who won the coveted Best Actor Award in the festival, plays John Denver with such restraint and gravitas that you feel naturally connected to him. When he cries, you cry. When he smiles, you smile.
John Denver as a character is written well, a vital factor that was needed to be accomplished as we must be invested in what’s happening to him throughout the struggle against a scandal.
There’s a fine line between loving and hating a character in this kind of situation but the writing and the acting blended well that we understand why John Denver acted and was acting a certain way in the movie.
Marites, who is played by Meryll Soriano, also offered much-needed intensity and gentleness to the tug-of-war events in the film. A mother and a son fending against the world is a universal story and Meryll’s character acted as a human being which made her addition completely effective and affective. She is angry, she is loving, she is determined, she is confused, and all of her actions, are supported by an underlying backstory that while not fleshed out is ample enough to satiate.
The rest of the characters are too real that it’s scary. These are authentic people, not overwritten heroes or villains. Human beings who can do something more damaging than what a supervillain could ever do. A mighty feat since they were all played by non-actors. They all deserve a standing ovation.
THE CINEMATOGRAPHY
I shouldn’t expect less from Filipino movies today, especially indies, as they understand that cinematography is essential to the viewing experience. But what surprised me with the camerawork, framing, and colors of John Denver Trending is that they’re subtle and it will just suddenly hit you that a certain shot had happened. The province of Antique is a beautiful place, it had managed to remain its archaic scenery of establishments and its sprawling fields intact. Yes, the story could have happened in every other province but the province chosen has a certain quaint, old-time feeling that makes every shot classical.
The night scenes are breathtaking as well. There is a certain part in the film where John Denver is navigating a dark road and he passes by a burning patch of field. The coals whiffing past him is such a visual treat that also served as a narrative development to the film. John Denver is walking through fire and he had nothing but his version of the truth.
Of course, this section wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention the camerawork in the end. The climax had us in a dizzying lengthy shaky cam shot. But never did I once feel annoyed as it felt right to what’s happening. It’s chaotic, it’s relentless, it felt like the end of the world. And I appreciated that this was both a creative choice and maybe because the filmmakers couldn’t use or afford a dolly.
THE SOUND
Sound design is far more important than visuals, that, I learned from a film subject back in college. I believe that sounds go straight from your ears to your heart. John Denver Trending is mostly silent and it tells the story through ambient noises, sounds of wind dancing in the fields, geckos clicking, and a family of four eating Cloud 9 chocolate bars under a clear night.
It’s a quiet odyssey that is loudest on its message.
THE LAYERS
There’s a lot to unpack of John Denver Trending and I would have to spoil the movie to tell you all about it. But I wouldn’t do that, you need to experience this film without knowing anything.
Now, if you already have an idea about the film, yes, I can tell you that it’s about social media and the injustice it could create. With social media, we only get snippets, vignettes of real-life but we judge as if we are seeing the entire picture. This is what John Denver Trending is painting throughout the film.
It’s disturbing how we weaponize social media and use it to destroy a person. What makes this factor in the film truly ringing is it is currently happening. We are quick to judge, quick to speak, quick to anger. Social media is truly a reflection of our society and that reflection shows how behind we are despite the advanced technology we are relishing in.
And what I liked about most is that the film used this subject matter to open up more issues about the Philippines from police brutality, fake news, criminalizing children, judging people offline and the film does it seamlessly, without being preachy, without being corny. It doesn’t impose its messages right on your face, rather it’s a slow-burn, and it challenges you to think of what it is raising to fully understand its heart.
I’ll say it again, John Denver Trending is a modern masterpiece. It’s a game-changer. Yes, there could be other movies that had tackled the effects of social media but never a film was this bold and written, cast, acted, and made well and Arden Rod Condez is primarily responsible for these.
More than a film, this is an advocacy and definite proof that you don’t need extravagant acting, eye-popping effects, or even indie pretentiousness to make a film touch and change the lives of people. Raw magnetism and an honest message are enough. This is a film that everyone needs to see, not only because it is good but also because it is important.
