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As children, many of us were raised on various kinds of legends and fables; some were meant to scare, while some were meant to give hope. Some were meant to usher in a good night’s sleep, while others were meant to warn about dangers that lie ahead. At the helm of these tales usually were the first storytellers of our lives: our parents (or parent figures) shining the light our young eyes needed to see our path, and even in times of grief, we still hold on to these stories.
A tale told in two timelines, Firefly sees Tonton Alvaro (played by 49th MMFF Best Child Performer Euwenn Mikaell as a child and by Dingdong Dantes as an adult), a best-selling children’s book author who he claims his childhood directly inspired all of his work, including tales told to him by this mother (Alessandra de Rossi). An interviewer (Max Collins) sets out to debunk the notion that this is true. The more Tonton tells his story, the more the interviewer refuses to believe him. Soon, the interviewer will know that the truth is sometimes stranger (and more beautiful) than fiction.
Philippine Cinema isn’t new to the concept of using childlike wonder to illustrate a tale of grief. Earlier this year, we were treated to the Cinemalaya Best Picture award-winning film Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing), a tale that used the imagery of aliens and spaceships to tell a story of one’s journey toward healing from abuse. Here, Angeli Atienza’s MMFF Best Screenplay Award-winning script goes a similar route and instead focuses on using a mother’s bedtime story as the roadmap for the journey undertaken by young Tonton.
For those like us who grew up reading Adarna Books, it instantly brings to mind the wonder that these books inspired: the many endless nights just imagining what it would be like to be a kid with all the shoes or to be a kid who just wanted to eat siopao all day.
That same child-like wonder is seen in the film’s use of an utterly mesmerizing art style, sometimes blending scenes of live-action takes with a backdrop of CGI or hand-drawn fantastical imagery.
All this is in service of lovingly calling back to the fables and legends told to us as children, basically playing out as a storybook comes to life.
Euwenn Mikaell, as the child version of Tonton, is remarkable, carrying the entirety of the story on his back. Any other child performer with lesser acting skill would’ve folded under the weight of the responsibility given to them, but he admirably steps up to the level of his adult co-stars, who in turn give him all the support he needs. Lead amongst these supporting actors is de Rossi as Tonton’s mother, Elay. She absolutely shines as the beacon of hope in this young nomad’s life, giving him the heart and resolve needed to carry on the difficult journey ahead of him. Together, their tender chemistry as mother and son lends this film its sweet, beating heart. Though her screen time is short, the movie soars thanks to the indelible mark she leaves.
Director Zig Dulay uses that very simple premise to bring to life a very beautiful tale of a mother’s love found family, and innocence as it goes through intense personal upheaval. Be prepared for the waterworks to flow; don’t watch this movie without a box of tissues on hand. Trust us, you’re going to need it.
Firefly is one of the films showcased during the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival. It won Best Picture, Best Child Performer for Euwenn Mikaell, and Best Screenplay for Angeli Atienza.
Cinegeeks rating : A
Watch the trailer here:
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