Ang huling palabas ni Maestro at Mariana

• Main Authors: Gaddi, Francheska Marie C.P., Ramos, Abigail T., Valmonte, Juan Paolo Leonardo A.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2019
• Subjects: Feature films; Comedy; Sex crimes
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/7608
• Institution: De La Salle University

Ang huling palabas ni Maestro at Mariana (The maestro and Marianas final show) is a short feature film that revolves around the last few performances of Maestro Ronaldo, a famous ventriloquist and his puppet, Mariana. The dramedy film kicks off with a flashy showcase of the duos fame and popularity, highlighting the comedic and comical nature of their theater stage shows. Throughout the course of the film, the narrative slowly unravels the disturbing and perverted relationship of the two leads. The film tackles subject matters such as abusive relationships, experiences of sexual abuse, and regaining control in a power dynamic. This film aims to tackle sexual abuse considering the alarming rise in cases all around the world (Darkness to light). Most cases of sexual abuse can be considered as part of a cycle, with a high percentage of male victims abused during childhood by female relatives becoming perpetrators of the abuse themselves as they grow up (Glasser, et. al) Shot to look like a recording of the Maestro and Marianas performances, the film will play with its form and format. It will explore the limits of the medium, occasionally pulling away from the standard aspect ratios and treatments we see on screen to serve as windows to our characters motivations.