‘GomBurZa’ Review: Masterfully crafted historical film that’s still relevant 150 years after

GOMBURZA (2023) Review
Directed by Pepe Diokno

I guess the main question on why historical films are still being made today is: Is it still relevant?

Honestly, it’s hard for me to embrace historical films because of how serious its themes are. Nation building of a country that’s heavily run by corrupt politicians and generations of unfair treatment not just by foreign countries but also from our fellow Filipinos. It’s kind of depressing.

But that’s the thing. We need to talk about these things. We need to tackle these issues. And the easiest way to do that is thru platforms that can interpret these stories in at least entertaining way.

What made GomBurZa worth watching is how it paints a bigger picture of just three priests being executed by garrote because of some issues with Spanish priests. But there’s actually more to their story. And surprisingly, we can still relate to what they have gone through even if their story happened more than 150 years ago.

GomBurZa is an eye-opening film. This historical drama movie will leave you with a lot of emotions – anger, sadness, the urge to find the truth, but above all hopeful. GomBurZa is masterfully crafted from direction, production design, cinematography and acting. Deserves to be seen by Filipinos not just in the Philippines but all over the world.

The film’s technical aspects overshadows the films’ issues which are minor. Erickson Navarro’s production design travels us back to the 1870s and how Carlo Mendoza captures every frame gives us the best angle to witness its story.

How you absorb the film comes down to how interested or invested you are with history. The first part can be dragging with the character and story building but being a movie that’s based on history, these character and world buildings are essential not only to the film but also to its viewers. Everything in the movie is essential to what we are now.

While the production and the direction of Diokno really are applaudable, you can’t dismiss how the cast, led by Cedrick Juan, is impressive in the film. From their gestures to their language, some of the cast spoke Latin and Spanish like they are their native languages.

One of the things I was worried about before watching the film is can Cedrick Juan carry the film as the main character? Short answer is yes. He is Jose Burgos by heart. He knows the character like he experienced everything that made Padre Burgos who he is before and during the duration of the story of GomBurZa. The dedication of Juan and the rest of the cast especially Dante Rivero and Enchong Dee are felt in the movie.

GomBurZa might not be most people’s first choice in the Metro Manila Film Festival. But you do choose to see it, you won’t be disappointed and you get your money’s worth.

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

‘Gomburza’ opens in cinemas December 25, 2023 from JesCom Films, MQuest Ventures and CMB Film Services. Rated PG by the MTRCB.