Philippines
Foster Child
Review by Zandro Salvo
The second offering from Filipino director Brillante Mendoza is an unrelenting look at surviving the 'third world'. Shot in a documentary style, Foster Child examines how impoverished families gain income by rearing these children. Mendoza’s style paints a portrait of stability amidst the chaos as we see a Manila family keep their responsibilities to each other and their temporary charge John-John. The family seems almost desensitized to their surroundings, using the foster child as a focal point for their labour and attention. Herein lies the problem using a documentary style - Mendoza rarely offers character development, as each member is detached from everyone except John-John. There is one glimpse in act 1 in which the father matter-of-factly states that it’s difficult to let the child go after 3 years. After that moment, everyone smiles and tends to John-John until finally Thelma the foster mother must let him go and her true emotions finally surface. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too late; the viewer is already detached. Lead actress Cherry Pie Picache plucks the same emotional string, never waning until the end, and no other perspective is explored. Though Foster Child offers a look at the poverty that forces these families to make such an emotional commitment, Mendoza does not fully explore the effects of such a large investment.
Foster Child
Brilliante Mendoza | Philippines | 2007 | 98min
Sun. Sept. 30 | 6:30pm | Empire Granville Theatre
Mon. Oct. 1 | 12:00pm | Empire Granville Theatre