Adolfo Alix Jr.’s three-faced god in ‘Kalayaan’
"Kalayaan" ("Wildlife") is Adolfo Alix Jr.'s 20th film since "Donsol" in 2006. It was during the latter film's screening at the Bangkok international Film Festival that Adolf met Ananda Everingham and decided that they should make a film together.
Six years later, "Kalayaan" is now screening at the 8th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.
The synopsis says the film is premised on a lonely soldier's (Ananda) descent to madness.
The opening scene shows a soldier's naked behind, as he walks into the darker side of the island.
It pretty much captures what the entire film depicts: severe loneliness, darkness, naked men in combat boots and a certain mythical creature.
That soldier is Julian, who is stationed in one of the Spratly Islands during the downfall of former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada's administration.
The first act is a day in Julian's life. Upon waking up, he goes out of his hut, brushes his teeth, spears fish for food, plays with his pet turtle and relieves his boredom by watching Japanese porn.
Symbolisms
Here you see the director's symbolisms: an image of the three-faced god, the mermaid, the elusive Spratly oil and day and night as polar opposites.
Set against the backdrop of a failing administration and consequently, our history's second EDSA Revolution, "Kalayaan" underlines how isolation removes a person from reality and takes him to the most basic, most primal realms of perception, and how null one's duty becomes next to the dreadful yet irresistible expanse of the unknown.
The characters of Zanjoe Marudo and Luis Alandy enter the story, marking the beginning of the second act and the promise of a significant plot point. They do not disappoint.
Zanjoe's quips provide a break from the weight of their loneliness. But he was the narrative's literal transition, unnecessarily relating some of the back stories—because at some point, the images were enough.
While the narrative is not for everyone, "Kalayaan" as a whole is well-made and seamless. Perhaps Adolf knows the word "precious" need not come out of everyone's mouth for him to know that he did just the right thing.
Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this blog.
