Background information:
The irrational tyranny of a retired policeman over his abject wife and family emerges as a powerful force in this story of incest, abuse, and pervasive, internalized fear -- apparently based on a true case history. The ex-policeman's daughter Mila (Charo Santos), two months pregnant, is allowed to marry her boyfriend Noel (Jay Ilagan), a mild young man of chubby proportions -- but Mila's father does everything he can to make the wedding difficult. When the mother (Charito Solis) hears that her husband has given his permission for Mila to marry, she is shocked and preoccupied. Just after the wedding, she pretends to be sick, forcing the newlyweds to spend the night in her -- and her husband's -- house. It quickly becomes clear that the father is not going to let his daughter leave the house again -- and his ruthless dominance is unbalanced enough to indicate that a showdown will be inevitable. Meanwhile, flashbacks and dream sequences provide some clues as to who fathered Mila's baby -- an injustice in itself that merits some sort of retribution. by Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
Characters:
Tatang/Dado - Vic Silayan
Nanang - Charito Solis
Mila - Charo Santos
Noel - Jay Ilagan
Overall assessment of the
story/cinematorgraphy/actors:
The story and how it was presented was very simple. But, the
simplicity it has, made it a very interesting movie. There were not much of
variations in the sounds, only the striking sound where you know there is
something happening subtly within the characters and something unpleasant is
about to happen. The countdown-feel of the constant date and day reminder of every
scene plus the almost always dark lighting of the movie added a sly feel all
throughout.
Though, the story of having incest is a cliché topic to
tackle, the film will make you hooked to it because the film does not talk too much,
it has a lot of long takes and only natural sounds scenes. Plus, the actors
showed more on actions and expressions and it makes you more curious and to
hold to every scene.
As I said, the actors really did great on their facial expressions
and it says a lot. I made a lot of inferences and questions all throughout while
watching the film because of the shots where it’s only their actions and
expressions are presented. You also have to read between the lines with some of
the actors’ statements. That could also be a nice point of the movie, where you
do your part as an audience because as how our professor has said, film
creators should not always spoon feed everything in a movie, show more and talk
less. It could be boring somehow if everything is so obvious.
How it affected me/How I can I relate
to it?
It affected me with the thought of if ever I had that kind of
father. It somehow made me feel Mila’s situation and I know it would be very
hard and a life full of fear. I somehow felt also the pain and guilt when Mila
was telling Tatang that she is pregnant. Though, it just reminded me the time
when I really did something very wrong and my parents were very disappointed of
me. Vic Silayan really exudes the terror of being a daunting father.
Philippine culture and society:
The movie pointed out several cultures. One is the dote (dowry), where the groom’s family
should give a gift to the bride’s family. Though, in the movie Tatang seemed to
abuse Noel’s family by the amount he requested them to give and Mila almost
refused it.
The manner of having a curfew. Tatang has imposed a curfew in
their house and there were instances where it seemed a little inappropriate
already. One time, Noel just had a drink with his friend in a restaurant he
returned home a little late and nobody opened up for him so he decided to go to
his friend’s house. Though, he saw that the lights were still turned on in the
room of Tatang’s but immediately went out when he rang the doorbell. It seemed
that Tatang really did not opened up for Noel on purpose.
Bubog (shattered glass) of the characters:
First, I
will define “Bubog” (99% of all commercial films & independent films
characters have) as how sir Rahyan defined it for us:
"Bubog are physical, mental and emotional
wounds that never heal. These are wounds that will remain wounds forever and as
you age it becomes your identity as a person, like a scar in the cheek or birth
mark in the ear. It is a dialogue between what the environment has implanted
deep within you and what you want to reveal about yourself to others."
The character in this film who has a very clear bubog is Mila.
She seemed to be very reserved and restrained with her actions toward the
people in the film. She always looked scared and seems to evade Tatang. Her bubog
is that, she has always been harassed by Tatang. She has been suffering by
Tatang’s demands and requests to her, and to the point that her life has been a
hell. This was revealed at the scene where Mila and Nanang had the conversation
downstairs while Tatang was already asleep. Her lines were not that specific
but it could be referred to as her harassed/raped by Tatang.
“Nang, wala ho akong
kasalanan. Hindi ko ginusto ang nangyari. Pinilit niya ko. Maniwala kayo hindi
ko ginusto ang nangyari. Ayokong mangyari ulit yon”
When it was already near at the end, it could be seen that
she is already trying to fight off Tatang’s restraints. She tried to answer
Tatang back when he is trying to decide for her again. Then finally, she ran
away from their house and eloped with Noel in Laguna.
Even, Nanang has her own share of Bubog which is also caused by Tatang. She revealed it also to Mila.
Even before she has given birth of Mila, she tried to escape from Tatang but
she failed doing so. Since then, she has decided to spend her life with Tatang.
It seemed like she has decided her fate to be in prison within Tatang’s rules.
It was very visible that Nanang’s actions really differ a lot
from the usual housewife that we have an idea of. She seemed very aloof and
scared of Tatang.
My rating:
10/10
Note:
If you are interested to watch the film, you can watch it here: CLICK!
