Press
“To his credit, Diokno never stoops to caricature or cliché as he highlights the differences between young and old, city and country, modernity and tradition. Instead, he unceasingly celebrates the ravishing beauty of the rural Philippines. Shot at Mount Pulag National Park on the island of Luzon, Above the Clouds provides stunning settings for both Andy and the grandfather to release and resolve their internal turmoil. Carlo Mendoza’s camerawork provides a stirring survey of the landscape, while deftly highlighting the characters’ relationship to all this nature.” – THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
“As we wait on the platform to board the train back to Warsaw, I find myself standing next to the charming and extremely talented Filipino cinematographer Carlo Mendoza, whose work includes Above The Clouds, Boy Golden and Bwakaw. His latest film, Jun Robles Lana’s Shadow Behind The Moon, screened twice at the festival; an impressively taut, claustrophobic drama starring just three actors in and around a tiny wooden lodge, shot as a one take.” – EASTERN KICKS
“Lana fills the screen with aesthetics rippling with authenticity, spanning larger-than-life pageantry, bleak moments in grimy rooms, and everything in between. The end result is vivid but delicate, as assisted by the clear-eyed glow imparted by cinematographer Carlo Mendoza, Richard Gonzales’ never over-wrought score, and editor Benjamin Gonzales Tolentino’s astute timing, with all three creatives reteaming with their director.” – SCREEN DAILY
“On the other hand, Gino Santos’ #Y (Hashtag Y) shows the not-so-fascinating lives of today’s golden middle-class teens dealing with “western” (American) problems like sex, alcohol, drugs and potential suicides. Visually compelling (thanks to Carlo Mendoza’s cinematography), the film successfully avoids the cliches attached to this kind of milieu. ” – Max Tessier for NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema)
“While action and humor are definitely one of the film’s many highlights, Roño and cinematographer Carlo Mendoza gamble on an aesthetic that pays off in spades. The film’s overtly flamboyant colors are as alarming as the violence on screen, and only help with the film’s cartoon-like appeal.” – Zig Marasigan for Rappler
“Carlo Mendoza’s cinematography sweeps over hills and mountains but bring us back to the claustrophobia of a community. With coloration diminished to restraint hue, the film evokes nostalgia and tenderness.” – Tito Valiente for the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP) (Society of Respected Film Critics)