Promise and Unrest reviews
Review by on 24 Sep 2010
Told mostly through a series of letters between a Philippine woman living and working in Dublin, and her sister and daughter in the Philippines, PROMISE AND UNREST tells the tale of a family split between continents. Only returning once a year, she must support her family from afar, eventually asking her daughter to live with her.
While making it possible to understand their struggle, the film sets no firm goal or direction from the outset, which often leaves it floundering at a slow pace, with the more political elements introduced only towards the end. The parallel lives between the countries are constructed very well, but there is something lacking in the way sympathy is built for the subjects. Often, the film even seems to step away from emotion, taking an objective view. That is not to say that the people are disinteresting, and the film is certainly engaging in an observatory way; watching them live and interact despite being oceans apart.
Beautifully shot, the comparisons between the two countries, and how each is represented is very apparent. Both locations play a vital role, and the laid-back, warm and bright Philippines is a sharp contrast to the dark, mostly night-time and indoors Ireland. The two countries are not judged equally, and the clashing atmospheres help to underline the worlds between which these people are caught.
A story worth being told, but perhaps with more energy and purpose; to better create a sense of narrative to enhance the drama of the overall piece.
Mike Boyd
While making it possible to understand their struggle, the film sets no firm goal or direction from the outset, which often leaves it floundering at a slow pace, with the more political elements introduced only towards the end. The parallel lives between the countries are constructed very well, but there is something lacking in the way sympathy is built for the subjects. Often, the film even seems to step away from emotion, taking an objective view. That is not to say that the people are disinteresting, and the film is certainly engaging in an observatory way; watching them live and interact despite being oceans apart.
Beautifully shot, the comparisons between the two countries, and how each is represented is very apparent. Both locations play a vital role, and the laid-back, warm and bright Philippines is a sharp contrast to the dark, mostly night-time and indoors Ireland. The two countries are not judged equally, and the clashing atmospheres help to underline the worlds between which these people are caught.
A story worth being told, but perhaps with more energy and purpose; to better create a sense of narrative to enhance the drama of the overall piece.
Mike Boyd
Film details
Promise and Unrest
DOCUMENTARIES
Ireland/Philippines, 2010.
95 mins. English/Tagalog with English subtitles.
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