Colma, directed by first time director, Richard Wong (who was in the house on Friday), tells the story of Rodal, Billy and Maribel as they grow-up in the graveyard town that is Colma (just outside of San Francisco).
It is a musical coming-of-age story: fresh, funny, tender and worth whatever effort you may have to make to see it. There is love and partying and sex and struggle; the struggle being the central focus. Billy struggles to deal with the feelings he still has for his ex; Rodel struggles with his poetic voice and his homosexuality; Maribel struggles with her constant desire for sex and partying and keeping the two best friends, friends.
H.P. Mendoza, who plays Rodel, wrote the music and the screenplay, and, if this first effort is any indication, should go far. Well done mate. The direction is spot on, fresh (split screen use is great); funny (cartwheeling extras appear in one song; the beerhall inspired scene and song are fantastic); and tender (the song where Maribel and Rodel walk through the graveyard as 'ghosts' dance is so utterly tragic). You can sample some of the music here.
My rating 10 out 10.
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