Magnifico

Colour, 35 mm
Philippines, 2003, 123 min
Section: Official selection

Synopsis

Magnifico is a nine-year-old boy who tries to live up to his name, however, deep inside his soul, he is ashamed of it. All the attributes and expectations his father invested in naming his second son – “brilliant, magnificent, admirable, excellent” etc. – acquire absurd dimensions in their humble environment of poverty, sickness and suffering. Magnifico is the bright light in a family in which each member represents a different kind of torment. Magnifico tries to soothe their woes with his child-like good nature, while his father tries resignedly to solve his Rubik’s cube. His older brother, in whom his parents have high hopes, loses his scholarship. His youngest sister Helen is afflicted with cerebral palsy, and the expense of medicines or possibly even a funeral for his seriously ill gran jeopardises the family budget. Magnifico promises Helen, who can’t walk, that he’ll take her to the carnival. He hopes to earn some money to buy a wheelchair from a rich neighbour but, in the end, he has to carry her on his back in order to fulfil his promise. He also begins fondly making a coffin for his gran which, however, awaits a different occupant…

About the director

Maryo J. de los Reyes (b. 1952, Manila, Philippines) dreamed of becoming a director when he was still a child. He graduated from the Institute of Mass Communications at the University of the Philippines. While still at school he began working with PETA, a leading theatre company in the 1970s. He wrote the screenplay for the film Disco Fever, then became artistic director of Agrix Films, where he directed his debut High School Circa 65 (1979). In 1965-75 he attended seminars and workshops, and in 1975 was selected to take part in the UNESCO International Women’s Day in Mexico City. After going back to the Philippines he worked for the Institute and began writing for television. He has made over 56 films and won a number of awards. Selected filmography: Diosa (The Godess, 1985), My Other Woman (1990), Sa Paraiso ni Efren (1999), Red Diaries (2001), Bedtime Stories (2002), Laman (2002), Magnifico (2002).