Ekstra (2013)

Pretty Good

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Blistering performances.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

I thought this was going to be another rom-com melodrama (metaphorically: more cheap food fare) typical of Mexico, Philippine, Thai, Indonesia, New York, some Hollywood and certainly Bollywood film studios. Pleasantly surprised by the writing, acting and unique storyline of what it's like (at least in some cases) to be those extra faces in a film. The background of putting up with director whims and idiosyncrasies, intolerable assistants, uncertain logistics, competing for choice roles and, of course, the weather. Surprisingly realistic elements of disappointment as those rare opportunities of having a speaking role can be so quickly lost.

In "Ekstra"/The Bit Player viewers get a chance to understand the complicated world of television through cinema. The film is authentic to the core as coming from television background has helped its director Jeffrey Jeturian to make a film about extras of a popular TV show. One can sense a lot of authenticity as Jeffrey Jeturian has already experienced what he has portrayed in his film. For viewers who have a little idea about Filipino film industry, it needs to be stated that this film's star attraction Ms.Vilma Santos acts in one of the most deglamorized roles of her career. In many ways, this enables her to have a direct experience of the problems faced by junior actors who use all their energy to land a small role. Most laughs in "The bit player" are generated when viewers get a chance to watch what really happens during the shooting of a TV serial. Director Jeffrey Jeturian takes viewers on a hilarious behind the scenes ride where one watches with dismay how junior artists are lodged, kind of food they are provided, conditions in which they work and how weather can sometimes spoil all good plans. At the end of this ride, it is made clear that television is not a joke and a lot of hard work needs to be put both by actors as well as technicians in order to create shows which are loved by millions in a country. Lastly, it is said that ideas are important when there is shortage of finance. This assertion has been proved true with the inclusion of an ordinary cake to represent a large cake.

She has never failed to deliver a stellar performance in her movies but what makes this movie more special and touching is seeing her perform in this project. You see, being one of the brightest stars that she is, to see her recognize and play the role of the often unrecognized yet indispensable persons that make a movie/series, namely the bit players or "extras", is very humbling.A depiction of how bit players struggle to earn minutes/seconds of screen time, this movie shows what goes behind the final results we see on TV/theaters. With realistic performances from the supporting actors, the movie's lead actress cements the inspiring concept of the film. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time that anyone has ever come up with such a concept of showcasing the lives, or a life, of bit players who aspire to grab a role for a talent fee which doesn't even comprise an eight of the main characters' talent fee.This movie succeeded in showing reality..the reality of what bit players experience off-camera, the reality of what they had to endure to earn that unseen role, the reality that there is so much more than what we see on TV. 10/10

The title "Ekstra" seems to indicate that it's about a person who has an inspiring story of her years of being the extra role in every television show. The actual film is somehow different. While the main character do learns through her experience, the film mostly plays as a comedy for satirizing what's going on behind the scenes. It's ironically an entertaining cynical view towards filmmakers who make television episodes without any ambition except the income they would receive. With slick direction and great performances, Ekstra is an absorbing cinematic trip.The first act introduces Loida as a humble person who looks like there's a destiny ahead of her, but following the dreams of becoming a big star is not the only story we get to see here. It also gives a look to how the shows are being filmed, and that's not all, the filmmakers are usually depicted as selfish and heartless, while the bit players are only tagging along trying to transcend their career. That side of the plot is gloriously ridiculous, showing that the job is really all about money: the producer barely does anything, the production is managed by cheapskates, we can understand the director's pressure, but what's crueler than his rants is the gross decision for product placements. They're presented to be amused and it is a witty satire.The film seems to be aware that our local TV hits are interchangeably generic since the director's, Jeffrey Jeturian, current running one is a total contrary to those. It's amazing to see that someone's sick of the clichés; like family relation twists and endings with kidnappings and guns. Now this movie made them look stupid, which is true. But the substance of their stories isn't supposed to be the point of the film. Again, it's Loida's story, though she is more of an example. All of the bit players have the same ambitions and same luck. The film just picks Loida as the underdog because she's the most talented among the extras. But that's it, she's just taking all the bitterness of reality despite of her skills, since that's probably the point of the film.Vilma Santos is the attraction here anyway and she definitely did what she does best, even if her role is supposed to be humble. Her amazing glow keeps the character feel down-to-earth inspiring. The direction is decent enough for whatever an independent film would ask, skillfully placing the cameras in crafty ways.Ekstra is not a character study, but it is an absolutely enjoyable commentary about today's mainstream entertainment and its creators who lack passion in their work. It's also a fun speculation for really noticing and poking fun of the awful clichés of our modern soap operas, but I think the plot has something better to say. It just didn't got the chance because it was too busy expressing its cynical portrayal of local filmmaking. Nothing can fault its artful storytelling, besides that's actually the best way of telling stories. I think we should merit for being totally honest in its own perspective. Ekstra is already a great movie anyway, and the performance by Vilma Santos makes it even better.