An elderly nun witnesses a young construction worker's fatal accident, compelling her to question the ethical principles of the institution she has devoted her life to.
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| (C) Clou Media Productions |
In reality, for some people, an awakening is not abrupt. It takes time and may even require a defining moment. First Light delves into that idea and fascinatingly places religion and institutions front and center in its narrative.
Taking its time as a slow-burn story, the film follows Ruby Ruiz's Sister Yolanda in an almost "day in the life" fashion. Ruiz keeps her performance understated but never unengaging. We also witness the decay slowly creeping into everyone's lives. Ruiz's scenes with Maricel Soriano and Emmanuel Santos are powerful throughout. Writer-director James J. Robinson understands the root of the problem and effectively explores it here. Given the structures in place, telling the story through Sister Yolanda's perspective proves to be a compelling choice.
It would be unfair to describe the film as dragging because, by the end, when the characters find themselves at a crossroads, it has you wrapped around its finger. The film also excels through small details. A water bottle or the simple act of saying "tabi tabi po" communicates so much without requiring a major dramatic scene. Admittedly, some of the conversations can be distracting. Translated into Filipino, it's poetic but not quite. Fortunately, this becomes less of an issue as the film progresses.
Amid its darker themes, First Light is also beautifully shot. Its wide shots showcase the Philippines in a striking way and make you wonder why we do not see this more often in local cinema.
The story of First Light is simple, but it reflects one of the reasons the country remains hindered from fully prospering. At the same time, it offers hope that one day people or perhaps the next generation can finally see the light. Wouldn't it be nice if that day comes? 3.5/5
