A Thousand Forests (2024)
Directed by: Hanz Florentino
Around 438 Filipino full-length films were released in the last 5 years, and almost none of them focused on protecting the environment as its main plot. With the ever-increasing threats of climate change, a film that aims to save the Earth shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Having that perspective, 𝘈 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴 is already a hero.
Throughout its 2-hour running time, the film is consistent in reminding everyone the importance of planting trees. Children being the lead actors helped in spreading that message. Their energy and enthusiasm didn’t falter.
The Arbor Law was mentioned—a law requiring all Filipinos aged 12 years old and above in tree-planting activities once a year. Many other environmental facts are also shared.
All these information are appreciated. If you’re in a classroom setting, this could be part of an audio-visual presentation. But if you’re inside the cinema, it’s not that powerful and effective.
Both the storytelling and the script are weak. Most characters felt like professors because of the nonstop lectures they’re giving in every other scene. The dialogues are not conversational.
Some scenes can stand on their own. But when they’re put together, it’s not seamless. There’s no journey you can follow. The story of each character is being cut short. As a result, you’re not fully connected to them.
The continuity and editing are not smooth. The color grading and cinematography are inconsistent. What you see abruptly changes, and it affects your movie experience.
The kids and their musical numbers brought amusement. The most impressive element of this film is the visual effects that will feast your eyes and imagination.
Mas nakakadala ang VFX kaysa sa istorya.
The story provides little tension towards a problem that requires urgency. The film is more entertaining than alarming. The spoonfeeding of information didn’t help in amplifying the cry for call to action.
A thousand words have been said by this film. And perhaps, it’s not enough to take action. Nonetheless, being aware is definitely a good start.
So let it be known that there’s a Filipino film that focuses on protecting the environment through
𝘈 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴.
Ipaalam natin sa iba
na may ganitong klaseng pelikula.
𝗔 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦 🌱
Rating: 2/5
Cast: Santino Juan Santiago, Ramjean Entera, Dennah Bautista, James Mavie Estrella, Venice Bismonte, Prince España, Chai Fonacier, Dominic Ochoa
Story & Compositions by: Jenie Chan
Screenplay by: Jeffrey Ocampo
Visual Effects Supervisor: Joeric Navalatan
Presented by: I.Syoot Multimedia Production, University of the Philippines Los Baños
A Movie Review by: Goldwin Reviews
Storytelling: 0.5
Emotions: 1.5
Screenplay: 0.5
Technical: 2.5
Message: 2.5
AVERAGE SCORE: 1.5
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