FILM REVIEW: Triptiko

"Children will always be afraid of the dark, and men with minds sensitive to hereditary impulse will always tremble at the thought of the hidden and fathomless worlds of strange life which may pulsate in the gulfs beyond the stars, or press hideously upon our own globe in unholy dimensions which only the dead and the moonstruck can glimpse." - H.P. Lovecraft

Like how each episode of the film Triptiko (Triptych) by Miguel Franco Michelena starts, I decided to begin with a quote. Do not let the trailer fool you. The film is neither in the romance, comedy, or "slice of life" genre. In fact, it can be classified more of a horror or a thriller. This is actually what Shake Rattle and Roll should aspire to be.

The first episode Swerte stars Albie Casiño as Jake, a young man off to Binangonan, Rizal to visit a friend after a wild night with a certain Suzy, who left him something to remember her by. However, some people can be at the wrong place at the wrong time, which would prove lucky for one, and unlucky for another, as the film progresses. What made this work was not his acting, which was still a little rough around the edges, but the narrative which makes you just want to go along for the ride and cheer fand gasp with the protagonist, as more misadventures follow. Jerald Napols' known for his comic antics in Sunday Pinasaya as well as in some films of popular "indie to mainstream" directors like Antoinette Jadaone, wears a different face here that might actually haunt you in your sleep.

The second episode, Hinog, revolves around the story of a vain model named Jason, played by Joseph Marco. A few minutes into the story, we discover he has a little problem which is why he regularly goes to the dermatologist Aivee (a real-life formidable rival of Belo), so that it wouldn't affect his job. However, his problem suddenly escalates and a nurse from the clinic offers him help in the person of Art Acuña. This episode reminds one of the film Thinner, with the best ensemble performance of all three episodes. This is Art's most unconventional and intense role to date. 

The third episode, Musikerong John, plays a completely different tune. Unlike the other two, the pacing is rather slow and relaxed  almost all throughout the film. The story is about John, a struggling musician, who comes back to his old haunt to play some songs for the nostalgia of his romance with Anne. Thhe music chronicles the major points of her change and his reaction to it. However, the multiple close-up shots of the protagonist John played by Kean Cipriano and Kylie Padilla as Anne, is the intelligent direction that makes the chemistry between the two lovers stand out even more and make the pain after lingering. This episode dares us to ask ourselves the question, how far would we go for love? What is the most painful event which can come between us and our loved one?

The film combines fresh ideas with inspired camera angles and also a superb sound design and musical scoring. It may be acquired taste for some because the situations in the stories are very improbable but that's what makes the film charming and uniquely weird.