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Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria (Eleuteria’s Dream)” – Written and directed by Remton Zuasola, ito ang most inventive entry for us at siyang may true indie sensibility in terms of structure and being adventurous in the sense that all its stars are unknowns. Ang buong pelikula ay kinunan ng tuhog in one long take. No cuts, no editing whatsoever. Tungkol ito kay Terya (Donna Gimeno), a poor barrio lass na pinilit ng kanyang inang maging mail order bride at magpunta sa Germany pakasal sa isang German named Hans para matulungan ang pamilya nilang lugmok sa kahirapan. Nagsimula itong nakita ng mga magulang niya si Terya na gustong magpakalunod sa ilog gayong paalis na siya para sumakay ng pumpboat na simula ng biyahe niya patungong Germany. Nakatira sila sa isla ng Olanggo off Cebu. Sinundan ng camera si Terya, her parents and younger sister habang naglalakad sila patungo sa piyer. Sa daan, they meet other characters: Merle, pinsan ni Terya na galing na sa Germany at winawarningan siyang mahirap ang buhay roon; Carlito, the village idiot; the revellers in the local fiesta called Baliw-Baliw; Nesto, ang boyfriend ni Terya na pinipilit siyang magtanan na lang sila; isang dating classmate who’s now pregnant; at si Susie, the recruiter na nag-match sa kanya kay Hans at sinasabing magiging mabuti ang buhay niya rito. The acting is very good, mula kay Terya who’s shown being transformed in the course of her walking trip to the pier, hanggang sa mga nagsiganap as Merle, Susie, and especially the father, Carding. Ang nakasira lang ay ang village idiot, who is totally unnecessary at alam mong umaakting lang. Sa palagay naming, this is the film that should have won best picture. Ito lang ang entry that succeeded to touch us. The final shot where Terya’s little sister cries, habang nakatalikod sa camera, and continues to wave at her as her boat gets further and further away in the horizon, is heartrending. The digital cinematography is splendid and the musical score is superb. Sigurado kaming this film will do well in the international filmfest circuits.
