A Short Film about the Indio Nacional

This is not the first – and hopefully will not be the last – modern film shot in black & white, but the film is however unusual in its authentic feel for black & white. A Short Film About the Indio Nacional makes it clear that black & white can provide a subtle and versatile view. Raya Martin bases his work – without plagiarism – on the earliest forms of film making. In fact, he reinvents silent film. The film is set in the 1890s – the era when film was born. In the Philippines, a bloody rebellion was being fought against the Spanish colonial rulers. The film tells three different stories about Indios, ordinary local men in the colonial period. A young kid, an adolescent and an adult are followed separately as their lives are changed drastically by war. The threat and horror of war gradually become increasingly unavoidable. The separate parts are linked by a frame story. One sleepless night, a woman allows her husband to talk about his traumatic childhood memories. In just a short while, Raya Martin has developed into one of the most renowned young film makers in the Philippines. For those who still wondered whether he would realise the promise of his talent, this self-assured and original film should be evidence enough to dispel any doubts. (GjZ)

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