Movie No. 47 (2017): BACONAUA

Baconaua (2017)
Director: Joseph Israel Laban
Cast: Elora Espano, Therese Malvar, Jess Mendoza, Erlinda Villaobos, Bembol Roco
In Tagalog, with English subtitles

Baconaua is sea sea serpent. The title brings some mysticism in a remote island where inhabitants believe that when their neighbors disappeared in the sea during a squall, the sea serpent claim might have claimed them. Focus of the story is three siblings whose father hadn't been found after the squall one fateful night. The siblings are still hopeful their father would return and that they couldn't join their neighbors in the (beautifully shot) funeral rites in the sea for their missing relatives. 

The film is bleak and everywhere seems to dark even in daylight. Cinematography is competent although the movie appears like it's more concerned to make the movie visually stunning that pay attention to the continuity and missteps in the narrative. The appearance of a thousand apples on the shore and beaches is poetic. The subplot that may or may not be a homage to Great Expectations is a welcome flash of genius. But this intrusion into the otherwise bucolic and sometimes mystical island town is somehow contrived. The national anthem played in two different languages on separate occasion is another contrivance. But despite all these complaints, some of the actors are able to give good performances.

Rating: 2.0/4.0

Date seen: August 5, 2017