Emmy, a strict yet popular teacher in a small town, is assigned to the Board of Election Inspectors for her local precinct. When violence erupts, she runs into the forest with a ballot box containing the last copy of the election results.
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| Balota. (C) GMA Pictures |
Unfortunately, I was not able to see this during its limited Cinemalaya release. This review will focus on the new theatrical cut.
Local politics in the Philippines can be very dirty and dangerous. Balota immediately brings you closer to the action on the ground, with director Kip Oebanda finding numerous ways to make it feel realistic. It is evident that politicians take advantage of people's daily sufferings and basic deficiencies. The system is indeed flawed, and the characters must survive based on what they can obtain.
Marian Rivera shines in this film as teacher Emmy. She was given plenty of material to work with, and she delivered in every scene. Honestly, the entire cast performed well. It truly feels like a town that exists somewhere in the country, full of stories to tell.
However, in its desire to say a lot, the film gets lost in some ways, ironically mirroring the main character's journey. This theatrical cut is said to have improved the pacing, and it moves along well with only a few hiccups. It’s surprisingly comedic—possibly to diffuse the tension from heavy scenes—but it can become distracting, especially when the next scene is another character in a life-and-death situation. Make no mistake, the comedic moments are justified, but the tone could be introduced more effectively.
Maybe it's just me but some characters also speak as if they are in the late 2010s, even though the film is set in 2007. It’s a minor nitpick, but it can occasionally pull you out of the experience, even if you agree with what they’re saying.
Maybe this is what we need sometimes. While everyone already knows the truth, it still needs to be voiced. Balota falls into that category. It calls out the bullshit. It calls for action. The end of the film suggests that small victories are still victories. Having this seen by those who need to see it is also a win. It's a step in the right direction with more to go. That's why it's necessary viewing. 3/5
Balota is now showing in cinemas.
