National Film Festival: Kanana Kanu

Fanna, the warrior

Manila; “Kanana Kanu,” – Jocelyn Banasan-Kapuno, Kalinga.

Kanana Kanu depicts two parallel stories which tells John’s experience and his cultural travelogue. The other story revolves around the oral narratives of the I-Kalingas. This particular mythology embodies the true essence of the I-Kalingas’ core cultural values.

John a young man, half- American and half- Kalinga travels for a vacation in his mother’s birthplace at the village named Magobya. Unknowingly, he immerses himself in the culture of his mom’s place- living in a simple, practical and natural lifestyle. Through his village experiences he learns how to do things he never actualize in the U.S.

When the story is chanted by bard singers new experience is open to John as though he journeys to another dimension of time and space. John see vividly the story unfolds when the ever outstanding beauty of Lagunnawa meet the heroic warrior named Fanna. His immersion and cultural re-rooting helps him to know more about himself and his true cultural identity.

 Source: http://entertainment.inquirer.net/45501/davao-city-hosts-sineng-pambansa-film-festival

The film was tolerable. I appreciate how the actors really tried in portraying their roles but there were just some scenes that made me think otherwise. When Lagunnawa danced during their wedding, she had this expression on her face that she feels awkward in what she’s doing and that she’s not comfortable in all of it. You know that expression right? I’ve experienced that kind of feeling so I know when I see one and that was what I saw in her at that particular scene. That was just one scene among others that seemed to be half-baked. For a serious film, they should have considered the choice for their effects and props for it looked like a comedy film for the viewers like us.

However, let’s give it to the film for successfully conveying the culture of the I-Kalingas. Though it’s confusing how they present the past and the present scenes, it was still understandable and relatable. And though being a warrior could mean killing some people, it’s still amazes me how easy they can solve a crisis between tribes by just merely talking and exchanging tokens as a sign for their agreement.

I am not a film/movie expert or what have you. I just shared what I have observed and experienced and that was it.