Watch it. Challenge yourself. Let it make you uncomfortable and leave the theater with its weight still on your mind.
Some films make viewers work for their entertainment and do not allow them to relax. Green Bones, which is this year’s MMFF Best Picture and directed by Zig Dulay, is one of those films. This isn’t a film that wants to simply share a story—it reaches out, grips you and doesn’t let go. It doesn’t entertain in a normal way; it shocks, irritates, and leaves you thinking long after you’ve left the theater.
The sun-scorched backdrop of San Fabian Penal Farm, which is inspired by real-life Philippine colonies, is more than a setting, it’s a mirror reflecting the fractured lives of its characters. The film explores justice and redemption through Xavier Gonzaga (Ruru Madrid), a rookie prison guard haunted by the brutal murder of his sister. Fueled by revenge, Gonzaga begins his job with a clear sense of purpose. But as the days unfold, the rigid lines of Gonzaga’s black-and-white morality begin to blur, forcing him to confront questions he’s not ready to answer.
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A poignant metaphor
The title, Green Bones, is as stark and complex as the story itself. Scientifically, it refers to a discoloration in cremated remains. In folklore, it’s tied to virtue, a symbol of a life lived with goodness. The dual meaning lingers throughout the film, posing a difficult question: What do our choices say about the lives we’ve led? What would your bones reveal?
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Unforgettable performances
Dennis Trillo’s portrayal of Dom is masterful (no wonder he bagged the Best Actor Award). As a mute inmate communicating through sign language, his silence is deafening, filled with pain, regret, and a desperate yearning for redemption. Trillo doesn’t just play the role, he lives it, pulling the audience into Dom’s tortured soul.
This film challenges you to sit with your discomfort, to ask yourself hard questions, and maybe, just maybe, to look at your own life through a sharper lens.
Opposite him, Ruru Madrid steps into the shoes of Xavier Gonzaga with a performance that’s all fire and heartbreak. Gonzaga is a man driven by grief and anger, and Madrid brings a raw intensity that makes his journey deeply personal. Their performances carry the emotional weight of the film, their tension simmering in every interaction.
A cinematic experience
Neil Daza’s cinematography transforms the penal farm into a paradoxical setting: The contrast between the scenic environment of the farm and the depressing feel of being imprisoned depicts the psychological drama of the characters. The screenplay by National Artist Ricky Lee and MMFF 2023 Best Screenplay winner Anj Atienza avoids clichés, opting instead for a nuanced, unflinching look at its characters and their choices. The story is jagged, unresolved, and deeply human.
The contrast between the scenic environment of the farm and the depressing feel of being imprisoned depicts the psychological drama of the characters.
Lee and Atienza’s screenplay does not fall into melodramatic situations or preachy sermons. Rather, it explores the facets of the characters making no attempt at simplifying the themes. It is presented in a non-linear manner, showing the complexity of the characters’ personalities on screen. The scenes are fairly passive, which only serves to make the pauses as important as the dialogue.
Why you need to see it
Green Bones isn’t here to entertain you, it’s here to make you feel. It’s about justice, forgiveness, and the messy, complicated space in between. This film challenges you to sit with your discomfort, to ask yourself hard questions, and maybe, just maybe, to look at your own life through a sharper lens. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. The characters’ rawness and imperfections are exactly what make the film so impactful.
Watch it. Challenge yourself. Let it make you uncomfortable and leave the theater with its weight still on your mind.
