Adela

  • 90'
  • Philippines
  • 2008
It's almost a genre in itself: a sensitive ageing woman tries to maintain her dignity in a Filipino slum district. The power of every genre film is dependent on the question of whether the story is worked out with craft and creativity. And that is certainly the case here. Of course, Adela is not really a genre film. It's a film with a personal and sensitive story - the story of an old disappointed woman, but also the story of a special and fragile actress. The film revolves around the actress Anita Linda and the character she plays, the Adela from the title. Adela was once a well-known radio personality, but now she's turning 80, lives in poverty and her children tend to forget about her. Anita Linda herself has been a famous actress in Filipino cinema since the 1940s, and famous actresses can also be forgotten when they approach eighty. In reality she has passed eighty but who would want to underline that?
Adela may live in poverty and anonymity, but she has maintained great dignity and with her wisdom and self-sufficiency has an important role within her social surroundings. The film follows her with suppleness and determination, in the knowledge that this fragile and charismatic woman can carry the film. She does so with ease, I should point out. (GjZ)

  • 90'
  • Philippines
  • 2008
Director
Adolfo Alix Jr.
Premiere
European premiere
Country of production
Philippines
Year
2008
Festival Edition
IFFR 2009
Length
90'
Medium
Betacam Digi PAL
Language
Filipino
Producer
Arleen Cuevas
Production Company
Phoenix Features
Sales
Visit Films
Screenplay
Adolfo Alix Jr., Nick Olanka
Cinematography
Albert Banzon
Editor
Aleks Castañeda
Production Design
Adolfo Alix Jr., Jerome Zamora
Sound Design
Ditoy Aguila
Cast
Anita Linda, Joem Bascon
Website
http://visitfilms.com/film.asp?movieID=1389
Director
Adolfo Alix Jr.
Premiere
European premiere
Country of production
Philippines
Year
2008
Festival Edition
IFFR 2009
Length
90'
Medium
Betacam Digi PAL
Language
Filipino
Producer
Arleen Cuevas
Production Company
Phoenix Features
Sales
Visit Films
Screenplay
Adolfo Alix Jr., Nick Olanka
Cinematography
Albert Banzon
Editor
Aleks Castañeda
Production Design
Adolfo Alix Jr., Jerome Zamora
Sound Design
Ditoy Aguila
Cast
Anita Linda, Joem Bascon
Website
http://visitfilms.com/film.asp?movieID=1389