[Confession] Seklusyon (Official MMFF 2016 entry)
I prayed to God this holiday season to give me the strength (and the money) to watch all MMFF 2016 entries this year since its 180° reboot on its qualifications and standards made me more eager to watch and thank the people who prioritize true arts over mainstream (and nonsensical) films because quality always beats quantity. Allow me to start my review with this passage from the bible:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves."
Matthew 7:15
Seklusyon (Seclusion), Directed by an acclaimed Director Erik Matti, once again proves that horror doesn't always need to rely on jump scares and bloodshed because what makes it horrifying is the story itself.
Seklusyon sets itself after the war in 1947 in which those aspiring to be priest, are sent to a remote convent to live in seclusion (Seklusyon) on the last day of their training. The purpose is to shield them from evil of the world. The plot thickens when a mysterious young girl comes to the convent but the question is whether she is really sent by God or by the Evil. This is the challenge awaits the candidates.
This chill-rising film comes into my attention after watching the trailer before its release. The cinematography was so well-made along with its atmosphere that it transports you back to 1940s setting and I knew then that I had to watch this first in the cinemas.
The film actually tackles the chilling nature of evil - where people are desperate and follows what they believe in, folk religiosity and false prophets. The movie tests the inner faith and convictions of its characters that also makes its viewers question how deep their faith is to the Lord. While Anghela (a young faith healer) were showered with love and admiration from its followers, the deacons of the seclusion were haunted by their own personal demons - not by uncertainties - but by the ghosts of their shadowed pasts that reminds them of the sins they committed before they chose their holy lives.
The thing that scares me the most is how it was associated with our Catholic religion. We have tons of pictures and statues in our houses that makes us feel safe whatsoever, we also pray hard when we're struggling and scared. But what if the things we rely on to keep us safe are the things that haunts us? Real scare.
The ensemble casts acted very well in this movie except for Miguel played by Ronnie Alonte, in my humble opinion. Miguel is that character who figures out the mystery but his acting doesn't suffice the important role. He's too quiet and private that his role wasn't justified by his actions. Anghela was the foundation of fear and her character was delivered straightforwardly by an aspiring child actress Rhed Bustamante also the mysterious Sister Cecilia played by Phoebe Walker. The remaining casts were the ladder relative to its audience.
Seklusyon highlights that people may see themselves doing what is for the love of good but actually does what is convenient for them, which I can say resonates in today's society. And taken metaphorically, it tells us to be wary of wolves disguised in sheep’s clothing which may very well dominate every sector of society, from religious orders to the leaders of our nation.
We may think that our faith lies with God - but just how strong is that faith to remain untainted?
My Rating:
Plot: 9.0/10
Acting: 8.7/10
Cinematography: 9.2/10
Characters: 9.3/10
Uniqueness: 9.5/10
OVERALL RATING: 9.1