'Green Bones': 3 valuable life lessons from Zig Dulay's latest masterpiece

Tears flooded SM City North Edsa’s Cinema 3 as “Green Bones” held its premiere night on Friday, ahead of its Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 release.

The star-studded event, headed by lead stars Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid, was a night of shared emotions, where the film’s themes set against a backdrop of crime and ambition transcended the screen, leaving an indelible mark on all who witnessed it.

Ahead of the premiere night, the Kapuso film already garnered positive reviews from film critics after a special preview.

Film critic Phil Dy said that “Green Bones” is a “good, solid, and well-produced drama.”

Influencer account Lakwatsera Lovers also gave the movie an 11/10, praising the way it was written, the cast, and director Zig Dulay.

Beyond its compelling plot, the film offers a series of valuable life lessons that can inspire and guide viewers through various aspects of their own lives.

Here are three of the many key lessons from “Green Bones”:

Never let anyone take your hope

The line mentioned in the film is one of the most powerful messages in “Green Bones,” which is portrayed in many of its scenes, including one at the beginning of the story.

Before he got his first assignment as a prison guard, Xavier Gonzaga (Ruru) continued to finish his criminology course despite stretching his academic journey beyond five years. Regardless of the delay and setback, Xavier did not abandon his dream career.

Xavier’s perseverance teaches us that success is not always immediate and that it lies in the ability to continue despite challenges.

His journey is a great reminder that dreams are worth fighting for, no matter how long it takes to achieve them.

Love goes beyond words

“Green Bones” portrayed love not just through spoken words but also through actions, gestures, and unspoken yet deep connections. The film made use of sign language, emphasizing that love is not limited to verbal communication and that it transcends all forms of expression.

This reminds us that love isn’t just something we say. Instead, it is a consistent and unwavering force that transcends words, as it is demonstrated in the sacrifices and the loyalty people exhibit to one another, no matter the circumstances.

Good deeds don’t go unnoticed

“Green Bones” also underscores the principle that good deeds, even when they seem small or unrecognized at the time, never go unnoticed.

This lesson reminds us that the positive actions we take, whether big or small, often ripple out in ways we might never see. In a world that can sometimes feel indifferent, “Green Bones” encourages us to continue doing good, knowing that our efforts contribute to a larger, more compassionate world.

“Green Bones” is based on an original story by JC Rubio, senior documentary manager of GMA Public Affairs, with its screenplay written by National Artist Ricky Lee and MMFF 2023 Best Screenplay winner Anj Atienza.

It follows a prisoner named Domingo Zamora, who is infamous for the murder of his sister and her daughter. Already up for parole, newly assigned prison guard Xavier takes a personal interest in making sure that he remains behind bars no matter what it takes.

Aside from Dennis and Ruru, veteran actor Michael De Mesa also stars in the film, alongside Alessandra De Rossi, Ronnie Lazaro, Mikoy Morales, Gerhard Acao, Iza Calzado, Sofia Pablo, and more.

The film will premiere at this year’s MMFF on December 25. —JCB, GMA Integrated News