I first was exposed to Rent through The Company's rendition of Seasons of Love. Didn't care about where it was from then but as I slowly discovered its source, I knew it would be something that I wanted to unravel.
I was lucky enough to watch the local production in GSIS theater but I was too fresh to fully understood everything. The main thing that stuck to me was Mark's "The opposite of war isn't peace, it's creation!" It pushed me a bit to want to pursue film but I wasn't thrown over the edge. Bohemia was something I was able to identify as I knew I was on the sideskirts of the norm.
And then the film came. Wasn't able to watch it on theater but caught it on DVD. I was enthralled, of course. This rock opera has been in existence since 1994 but the issues tackled are still relevant today. And these include sexuality, drugs, love, capitalism, fighting for what you want, expressionism, poverty, relationships. There are still some but basically, it's about life.
The last one presentation of Rent that I discovered was well, the last staging of it that was filmed and sold on DVDs. As a stage fan, I knew I would be in for a treat. It turned out to be a great fusion of film and theater! Cinematography allows more emotions to burst out of the characters and from the viewers at the same time. It was a great way to relive something so great. Literally a new perspective that refreshes.
Although the latter was something new, there really just are some things that are better on film and vice versa. Like La Vie Boheme would be greater on film for me since there would be much more color that you could do with a set compared to a stage. But then the scene of the passing of quirkiness was more effective on the stage as more of the characters are on the "frame" and simple props that departs from too much reality gives sublimity.
Probably I'd continue to watch and rewatch. Something so beautiful is so hard to let go.
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