The Cinema of ‘Cinemartyrs’
The Cinema of ‘Cinemartyrs’
SINEGANG.ph published this press release shared by Kino Arts. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
A young filmmaker stated on their social media post upon seeing the teaser for the latest film directed by Sari Dalena, it’s like “the Avengers: Endgame of PH Alternative Cinema.” That may not be far from the truth as within fifteen seconds, luminaries such as auteur Lav Diaz and National Artist Kidlat Tahimik have their moment on screen.
Cinemartyrs is a fictional film loosely based on Dalena’s own experience on her first feature length documentary “Memories of a Forgotten War” – trials she faced included the dismissive misogynistic attitude of all-male committees that dared her to film in war-torn locales. Her accepting the challenge meant she had to delicately navigate government institutions, the military, wary locals, all while circumventing active armed bandits.
Those challenges were formidable enough but what was completely unforeseen was a spiritual dimension that was unleashed upon her cast and crew. That traumatic experience has taken her two decades to process. The result is the film that is amongst the ten features comprising this year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival entries.
Cinemartyrs is set in the late 90s, when the filmic medium itself was in transition from celluloid, specifically 16mm for independent filmmakers, to the video formats of Hi-8 and Digital Video. Dalena articulates the use of “guerrilla filmmaking methods” to achieve their ambitions on a shoestring, indie budget.
In order to accurately channel the vibe, Dalena re-teamed with cinematographers Neil Daza and Kiri Dalena, both who worked on her short 16mm films during the era Cinemartyrs is set in. This has led to a unique visual texture for the film, using the inherent qualities of film grain and early video technology. Both Daza and the younger Dalena won cinematography plumes for Sari Dalena’s first fictional feature Ka Oryang.
In front of the camera, Dalena was able to get her dream cast. Beyond the luminaries already mentioned, young actors led by Nour Hooshmand, who is having an amazing year with films screening in lauded international festivals, Cedrick Juan (whose first film performance was also for a Dalena film, Dahling Nick), Iana Bernardez, Yian Gabriel, Kobe Sanchez (son of the late filmmaker Sigfried Barros-Sanchez), Victor Medina, and Shane Bernabe, grand winner of “The Voice Kids” and is making her film debut. Indie acting mainstays like Bong Cabrera, Nor Domingo, and Soliman Cruz are also in the cast alongside mainstream actress Angel Aquino.
One key role is played by veteran actress Raquel Villavicencio. Villavicencio plays a historian having her own journey, but instead of unearthing forgotten historical massacres, she is unearthing forgotten Philippine cinema. Villavicencio served as the nexus for various cinematic layers in real life as she worked with filmmakers like Mike De Leon who sadly passed away during the post-production of Cinemartyrs. De Leon was instrumental in giving permission to include clips from many LVN classic films in the film.
For authenticity, Dalena made sure to have Tausug actors in the cast as well as act as consultants. Gawad-Urian Best Actress awardee Laila Ulao plays a crucial role. Nelson Dino, who was a young actor in “Memories of a Forgotten War”, is now a professor at Mindanao State University. He plays dual roles for the film as both cultural consultant and actor. Pangalay dancer and educator Ligaya Amilbangsa and her dancers also have integral parts in the film.
With the layers of interconnection both within the film, history, and Philippine Cinema in general, could it be this film functions on a “meta” level? Dalena gives a knowing smile in response, “The film isn’t a grim, serious, documentary,” she says. “It also captures the naivety, excitement, and absurdities of being a young filmmaker. Looking at it from a distance, some of the things we went through early on are hilarious – even if the subject we were exploring carries much weight.”
The premiere for Cinemartyrs is set for Saturday, October 4, 2025 at EDSA Shangri-La’s Red Carpet Cinemas. As of this writing, both screenings on that date are sold out. There is a talkback scheduled with the cast and filmmakers on Monday, October 6 at EDSA Shangri-La. Other cinemas include Ayala Malls Cinemas and Gateway Cinemas. Tickets are now on sale.
