Cuchera with Ma. Regina Isabel V. Patindol

         
         The film was very much filled with obscene scenes and language but I just had to grow up and be open minded. It owes its life from the news, from stories of Filipino drug couriers abroad, about people who are trapped in a labyrinth in which trouble lurks at every exit.

       This year’s Cinemalaya showcased different films that everyone will surely love.  As for me, my film of choice was ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK. Even before choosing, the title itself made me draw my attention on this movie. The title is catchy and when I saw the synopsis, I was enthralled. I wish to be a director someday. Seeing that the synopsis is a totally different story, I want to watch right away. It speaks about my dream, and on how would I get there. Plus, this was a comedy film so that is a double blessing to me. True enough, the film proved to me its brilliance. It was the first film I’ve watched who gave information inside film industry. It has a story, a theme and imbued in me some values which I often neglect, the value of being contented and thankful with what I have without giving up what I wanted to achieve.

        The language of the film is entirely different than others.  For an average mind set of a person, no one would actually think that a depressing issue like that of the people living in slum areas and oftentimes force to give up on the uncertainties of life could be presented in a light way. I believe, from what I have seen, they’ve touched different realities on this movie.

        First is the reality of life projected in the life of Mila and her children. In a light manner as it could be, they tried to instil in us the reality that, this is life, outside your safe box, these people truly exits. And this scene is constantly repeating on the entire movie so that we will remember. Second, it speaks about the reality in media and film industry. Producing a film is never an easy feat. Every detail in a film must be intact, must be given enough attention. Considerations are always part of creating a big project, and by the means of consideration, I mean the choosy and inconsiderate mainstream lead. They also show the reality that, after achieving  something, there are people, who thinks highly of themselves already, like that of the forever annoying director who cannot even straighten out his grammar. Not just that, it also shows a deep meaning on Jocelyn’s character, who did not speak on the entire film. Her character speaks for the marginalized people, for those who are not given the chance to rise out their voices. On the other side, she also speaks about the unspoken dreams of each person, on how most people behave upon reaching their dreams. Their dreams are serene, almost unheard, until, because of difficulties in life, forgotten.

    

   The elements of the story are present in this film as well. It is like you are reading a novel slash music score in a film manner. The story speaks for itself the entire film and the characters, composed of Kean Cipriano, Cai Cortez, Eugene Domingo, JM de Guzman, are defined. The exact location and transition of events are present as well. I see conflicts as well highly focusing on a character vs. self aspect. But the thing about this film is that, it gives broader scope on its theme and its plot is not like any other.

       The Title of the film is Ang Babae sa Septic Tank. But does it say anything about a woman’s live circulating in a septic tank? No. Does it narrate a story of a woman who works or lives inside a septic tank? No. Does it speak of a woman whose lives changed because of direct involvement in Septic Tank? No. However, when I saw the end of the film wherein Eugene is trying to avoid the septic tank accidentally slipped inside it, I was opened to this realization: Mila, who was trying to live a plain and simple life, was drowned in the contagious poverty and eventually forced to give up on her life’s cruel fate. 

        Its Plot on another angle is a different story. Inside the story, there is another story. Inside, the story is very distinct, every sequence, defining its proper scene. But the exterior line of story, the major one, is a bit jumbled up or more like overlapping each other. This film follows a pattern that is close to surreal movies. Every scene leads you to another, but when you started to think that everything was settled already, it surprises you by putting another nerve wrecking scene at the end. 

        Its Cinematography is nice overall. When I first saw the film, I thought that it was mainstream movie. The quality of the video is close to excellent already. So, you won’t have to worry about watching bad quality indies.

        With all the elements of the whole film present in this entry of DIRECTORS, I must say, this film deserves its slot today on the mainstream.