The Onion Cellar’s Sounds by Southeast Film Festival is screening this week in Hanoi, to coincide with ASEAN Pride 2015. Festival curator Trần Duy Hưng introduces the films, and explains why they are so worth watching.
First up, a Filipino road-movie that goes in search of the disappearing art of the traditional romantic serenade.
Words by Trần Duy Hưng
Possibly amongst my favourite road-trip films, this is one for the hopeless romantics. Harana refers to the practice of courtship, where a man – often backed by other musicians – stands outside the house of the lady of his dreams and sings beautiful love-induced songs declaring his devotion.
In Harana, a documentary of the same name, US-based Filipino classical-guitar artist Florante Aguilar decides to seek out the last practitioners of this fast-disappearing tradition. He returns to his home country following the death of his father, where he rediscovers his fascination with Harana and learns of its demise. He is introduced to three ‘haranistas’, and together they go on a journey around the country meeting fellow performers, from countryside streets to prestigious concert halls. Their recordings ultimately bring this music to many young Filipinos for the first time. One senses that the three haranistas have been waiting for this journey their whole life: the bittersweetness of old men in their twilight years finally realising their dreams, the melancholy of the returning son reconnecting with his roots.
Surrounded by charming Filipino countryside landscapes and utterly enchanting music and lyrics, Harana is a nostalgic ode to times long gone. One would be hard pressed to find a more worthy love letter to the Philippines.
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Coinciding with ASEAN Pride 2015, The Onion Cellar is putting on a film festival celebrating the sounds of Southeast Asia by showcasing an array of great music documentaries.
Film Festival Program
10. June Harana – Cinematheque
17. June Yangon Calling – Cama ATK
19. June Y/our Music – Cama ATK
