REVIEW | Water Lemon (2015)


Lem Lorca's poignant film centers on the Aspergian, self-titled hydrologist Filemon (Jun-Jun Quintana), who stresses over Mauban's water levels—and his frustration towards a community that is indifferent to his great environmental concern.

Filemon might be special (his dialogue like a Science jargon online-generator, or PAGASA updates), but he's no different from the folks of his small coastal town, who all suffer from a collective sense of despair and loneliness. Abandoned, trapped in a parochial life, gazing over the seawall and into the horizon, they wonder what lies for them beyond Mauban, beyond the passive waters of the bay. Their only portal to the outside world, their sanctuary, is the town's sole Internet rental shop.


We watch Filemon and his dynamics with the other small-town main characters: his loving but grieving mother, Pina (Tessie Tomas); the Electrochat Internet shop manager, Maritess (Alessandra de Rossi) and her Lolo Ume (Lou Veloso); his obsessive, eccentric admirer, Bertha (Meryll Soriano); and his foreign chatmate from Seychelles, all within the poetic water milieu.

Tessie Tomas is a pure joy to watch; her deadpan humor is hilarious; Quintana as Filemon is convincing, his performance profound and heartbreaking.

Water Lemon may have its share of corny humor, but the film will win your heart for its earnest, unpretentious and character-driven story. It's a bittersweet, often funny, and intimate examination of painful truths and the human condition of loneliness, lack of contentment, and selfishness. A smart, moving, refreshing narrative that evokes a strong sense of place and deep empathy for the characters, that you'll leave the cinemas carrying Mauban, the sea, and the characters with you.






2015 QCinema Film Festival entry
Catch the last two screening dates:
October 29, Trinoma, 7:50 p.m.
October 31, Gateway, 1:00 p.m.


UPDATE:
Water Lemon took home three (3) awards at the recently concluded QCinema Awarding Ceremony:
-Best Screenplay (Lilit Reyes)

-Best Actress (Tessie Tomas)
-Best Supporting Actor (Lou Veloso)

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