Chanel Latorre is the sexy Lani. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

(Note: Rindido will be shown on January 26, 2011 in Robinson’s Galleria, Gotesco Grand Central, Commowealth and also in Cebu)

Efren (Noriel Jarito) chases Carlos (Vic Tiro) after catching him with is wife inside their apartment. Efren nearly falls down a flight of stairs to tackle Carlos. Two of Carlos’ drinking buddies grab him and start punching and kicking him. Almost jarringly, a cross cut of a sex scene between Efren and Lani (Chanel Latorre) invades the conflict. Frames of naked bodies intercut with Efren bleeding and getting hurt.

Lani’s moans of pleasure are a direct contrast to the violence of the previous scene. Sex is an antidote to the pain and frustrations for Efren at least for a little while.

Noriel Jarito plays the enraged OFW Efren. He is also the writer, director and producer of Rindido. Photo by Jude Bautista

The film title ‘Rindido’ translates from the Filipino word for rage. From the storyline there is a strong parallelism with “Falling Down” by Joel Shumacher starring Michael Douglas. Both movies deal with the frustrations of the common man: losing a job, a deteriorating family life and the rage that manifests itself in the violence that eventually unfolds.

The visuals, setting and cultural context, however, is entirely different. Grainy images, shaky camera movement reflects the main character’s (Efren) chaotic state of mind. Some of the fight sequences may appear to be campy or awkward. Instead of complicated action scenes, a simpler directorial treatment with one master shot would have done the job. Other than that weakness, the film is able to capture the pains and travails of an OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) coming home. And there are many.

Vic Tiro is bad guy Carlo. Photo by Jude Bautista

Our current headlines show that criminals often prey on the OFW. Showing that truth on screen is one of the strengths of Noriel Jarito as a film maker. He plays main character Efren and is also the writer/director and producer. This is his first full feature which also premiered during the Metro Manila Film Festival last December. Rindido is one of five that debuted in the new MMFF Independent film category. The other titles include: “Presa” by Adolf Alix Jr., “Nasaan Si Hefte?” by Jonah Lim “Slow Fade” by Rommel Sales and “Senior Year” by Jerrold Tarog.

Rindido cast from left: director Noriel Jarito, QC Mayor Herbert Bautista, Chanel La Torre and Vic Tiro. Photo by Jude Bautista

Jarito is able to show the problems of society by using actual footage from real, everyday scenes. He recently won second place at the 1^st CCC (Climate Change Commission) Short Film competition. Popo Diaz won that contest for “Walag Hanggang Paghihintay.” Brillante Mendoza’s controversial music video entitled “Ayos Ka” was also screened during the fest, out of competition. Jarito has also won 2^nd prize in Gawad CCP for Alternative Film and video for another short, “BINGO.” He is a regular at the Cinema Rehiyon Film Festival which features films from around the Philippines. One of the most important achievements for Noriel is his establishment of a film fest in his province of Samar, Pambujan Pelikula Para sa Publiko Short Film fest.

The cast for “Rindido” includes Chanel Latorre who plays the youthful and seductive wife Lani. She is tall, fair skinned, very leggy with full lips not unlike Angelina Jolie or Julia Roberts. Latorre, however, is quite young and has sex appeal oozing in the same way those actress had in their earlier roles. Seeing her on screen is definitely worth the price of admission. Vic Tiro is bad guy Carlos the neighborhood toughie who is capable of anything from drug dealing to assault and even rape.

Rindido cast from left: Vic Tiro, director Noriel Jarito, Chanel La Torre, Banjo Romero, Glenn Openiano, Lot lot Bernardo and Marlon Jarito. Photo by Jude Bautista

Banjo Romero is the good cop trying to do his job in keeping the peace. Romero has a little bit of the smoldering looks of Robin Padilla and has often been cast in a multitude of action films because of this. Banjo has a lot of experience as a stuntman. The band Away for the Day provided their songs for the gritty action packed film.

Banjo Romero as Pulis. Photo by Jude Bautista

‘Rindido’ shows the painful truth that OFWs face everyday, the disintegration of their families, crime, abuse from their employers and the loss of job opportunities. All of these contribute to the festering rage that boils within. This is what can happen when we don’t address these problems.