The Hearing

The Hearing is a standout and strong contender for Best Picture for me at Cinemalaya 2024. It is a detailed character study, authentic storytelling and insightful cinematography. (5/5)

Best film sa pitong Cinemalaya titles na napanood ko. (Super Ganda)

Nakakaiyak sa sakit at sa ganda ang huling mga eksena. Nanunusok ito sa puso at sa mata. (4/5)

Armed with a masterful screenplay by director Lawrence Fajardo and co-writer Honee Alipio and stunning performances by Mylene Dizon and Enzo Osorio, The Hearing is a powerfully haunting film that paints a stark picture of the pursuit of justice in the midst of hopelessness. (A)

Nakakatrigger ang pelikulang ito, masakit, Ilang beses akong naluha sa kalagayan ni Lucas at the same time humanga sa pinamalas nyang tapang! (4/5)

Fajardo's style of storytelling immersed us in the silent world Lucas lived in, seeing people and things in his 12 year-old point of view. (8/10)

For the most part, The Hearing builds upon the easy ironies and parallels of its premise to create an immersive legal drama that prioritizes victims of abuse and sexual assault above everything else.

...the movie builds something substantial around its main issue, and delivers in the way that Cinemalaya movies can. (3.5/5)

[...] much of the film, especially during crucial parts of dialogue, are filmed in Lucas' perspective, as if to make us feel his confusion and anxiety. (3.5/5)

If the flow of this film feels rough, it’s because the characters’ experiences are that way, making this a difficult film to sit through, albeit for good reason.

An uncomfortable watch, but one that is necessary. Definitely not to be missed. (3.5/5)

The courtroom drama has clunky dialogue — seemingly rushed and lazy. But all the film’s flaws are redeemed by its powerful story and the equally powerful performance of Osorio. I shed a tear quite a few times. (3.5/5)

[...] this is a solid addition to the found story movies championed by Bing Lao and Brillante Mendoza. (3.5/5)