Verdict: Proceed with Caution
Pinoy Rebyu Score: 2.60 (5 ratings)
Genre: Drama
Writer/Director: Kip Oebanda
Cast: Kokoy de Santos, Kean Cipriano, Teri Malvar, Ronnie Lazaro, Dominic Roco, Star Orjaliza, Kerbie Zamora, Jaclyn Jose, Shamaine Buencamino, Ron Cieno
Synopsis: Carlo (Kokoy de Santos) and his younger cousin Jea (Teri Malvar) work inside a sardine factory. They spend their days under inhumane conditions stuffing sardines into cans, tearing up their hands on the sharp edges of the containers, and sleeping every night in a tiny locked room with all the other workers. They were recruited into this line of work under false pretenses, tricked into joining the work force with promise of a scholarship in Manila. While the rest of the workers in the factory are resigned to this life, Carlo dreams of escape. (Click the City)
MTRCB rating: PG
Running time: 110 mins
Trailer:
Reviews:
3.5 Dicot Alvarado (Letterboxd)
“It doesn’t quite reach the emotional heights needed for its characters, but when it comes to the presenting a picture of the dark place where these characters are trapped in, it can get it extremely well, which makes the film terribly engaging.” (Read full review)
3.0 Nood.ph
“There are some magical moments in cinematography in this movie. It is also full of cinematic devices that they tell you about in film class: strong opening and closing shots that are linked together, parallelism and contrast between reality and fantasy, shots that foreshadow later events, strong use of lighting to set the mood, motifs.” (Read full review)
2.5 Philbert Dy (Click the City)
“The film settles for what’s obvious and what’s righteous. While that makes the movie correct, it doesn’t make it compelling.” (Read full review)
2.0 Oggs Cruz (Rappler)
“If relevance is the only barometer for quality, then Oebanda’s debut work has it in the can. The truth of the matter is that the both the film’s excesses and deficiencies make it less compelling than the advocacy it proudly champions.” (Read full review)
2.0 Cathy Peña (Make Me Blush)
“Tumbang Preso is well intentioned, but it is hobbled by so many shortcomings, both narrative and technical, you eventually end up with a lot less sympathy.” (Read full review)
