'Small Voices' a gentle whisper

By Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times

Alessandra de Rossi is Melinda, a teacher who tries to inspire her students despite the impoverished condition of her rural Philippines school, in "Small Voices." 'Small Voices' Not rated; some scenes may be too intense for youngsters In Tagalog, with English subtitles 105 minutes

"Small Voices" is a leisurely, understated film reminiscent of any number of Japanese counterparts featuring quietly heroic rural teachers. It is easy to label the film as slow, old-fashioned and sentimental, which it certainly is, but it has the tenacity of its heroine, the pretty and intelligent Melinda (Alessandra de Rossi), a recent University of Manila graduate.

Melinda is dismayed by the apathy of the principal, Mrs. Pantalan (Dexter Doria), and the two other teachers. The school is meagerly funded, there is a shortage of books and materials, and one burned-out classroom has never been repaired. Parents routinely take their children out of classes to help with the harvests and in general place a low priority on education, especially for girls.

Melinda, however, refuses to be overwhelmed by what she's up against in trying to make a difference. She resolves to make the best of her situation, starting with listening to her pupils so that they might be inspired to listen to her. When she learns of a school district singing competition she digs in, determined that Malawig Elementary will participate.

As the film unfolds, Portes' strengths come into play. Melinda may become dismayed and frustrated by her colleagues, but Portes judges no one, instead allowing us to understand the people of Malawig.

And while Portes milks the climactic sequence of the singing competition and events surrounding it for all they're worth, he has been careful to make the point that the thought of the school's entering the competition at all is more important than whether or not it wins. He also cleverly structures his finish for maximum impact.

"Small Voices" emerges as an affecting film that is also quite critical of the resignation that seems to permeate Philippine society, underlined by corruption and violence. Yet by the time the film draws to a close, it suggests that the implacable determination represented by Melinda offers the possibility that an individual can effect at least a modicum of change, and that such an effort, no matter how modest, is reason for hope.