Boses is an independent Filipino film directed by Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil and was screened last 2008 in the Cinemalaya Festival. It was shown again in cinemas for public consumption last July 31 due to demands for its significance with child abuse in the country.
Boses as literally translated to English means 'voice' parallels well enough to one theme of the story, to find one's voice even when external factors are the cause of one's muteness. The main actor of the story, Onyok, as portrayed by Julian Duque, is a battered child by his father causing him to retreat into his own temporary safe haven every time he is being beaten and stung by cigarette tips. Lucky for him to have a neighbor who cares for him, reports this abuse to the authorities. He was brought to a welfare center where he is taken care of.
In here, he meets another disturbed character. A talented young violinist, Ariel, as portrayed by Coke Bolipata, is pouring his utmost emotions and passion to the one he has left, music, since the love of his life left the face of the earth for reasons I cannot expound. Ariel found that Onyok has a special talent, he's a musical genius. And so he trained the kid day and night to perfect his finger placings and vibratos.
Eventually, Onyok found his voice in playing the violin and it gave him a sense of pride to be doing what he loves the most and utilizing his God-given gifts.
As for the technicalities in the film, I find it disturbing how Meryll Soriano (Ariel's other half) is a virtuoso in playing the violin and was granted a scholarship in Julliard when it was obvious on the screen that the parts she plays the violin are dubbed because of her lack in finger vibrato when the music played has. As a violinist myself, it was simply annoying.
Also, no matter how much a musical genius you are you need to learn the basics of an instrument. I don't like the fact that the people behind the camera overlooked that Onyok seemed to know the technicalities of the violin in regards to finger placement when he doesn't have any prior knowledge. Like for example when Ariel asked Onyok to play A-0, he knew what string it was and finger placement - that was awkward.
On the brighter side, I was happy because I recognized easily the songs played on the movie and wasn't really alienated as I am still not on the expert level of playing the violin.
Overall, I'm giving Boses a 4 out of 5 for a job well done. For foreign viewers, English subtitles are available, I think.
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