Putot (Shorts B)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Independent

POVERTY


Poverty, without question, is a major dilemma up to now for the country. And with Jeck Cogama’s written and directed short flick Putot, poverty was once again mirrored and delivered for awareness.

The struggle of a pre-teenaged boy (Carl Patrick Taylan) about his everyday life in a squatter’s area is the story of Cogama’s creation.

Half realistic, half unlikely, Putot’s story was a combination of two. Realistic, for it depicted well the true nature of living in a squatted area, where people worry about their everyday food and the possibility of expulsion from their so-called claimed area. Unlikely, for the story incorporated an insane father and a love affair with a young girl. But the build up of the story was quite commendable, for the character developed into a boy who would fight for his life and his loved one’s. Though the young lover’s attempt of retreating to another island was the conclusion for the film, it still did not made impact and will not be that memorable for the audience. The attack and technique did not go well on this short movie.

Like Parang Pelikula, the flick also reflected realistic scenes which added an impression of reality to the viewers. It captured the very heart of a squatter’s life. The transition and editing, on the other hand, was also an added asset for the flick. It helped in maintaining the idea of poverty through out the rough ups and downs of the story. The sounds also helped creating the ambience more realistic as well.

Cogama’s Putot showcased the real drama of life in a squatter’s area. And though poverty is a common theme for films nowadays, it still served as a refresher for the audience because of its unlikely sides on the story.