Kisapmata 1981

Synopsis:

Kisapmata is a 1981 film of the brilliant mike de leon. It is about a girl named Mila (Charo Santos) who works at a local bank and eventually had fallen in love with her co worker Noel (Jay Ilagan). After getting pregnant, the couple finally decides to tell Mila's parents that they will be getting married. The first meet together became the start of a relationship bound by fear and anxiety as the ex-policeman (Vic Silayan) do everything to make the wedding difficult. When the mother (Charito Solis) hears that her husband has given his permission for Mila to marry, she is shocked and preoccupied. Just after the wedding, she pretends to be sick, forcing the newlyweds to spend the night in her -- and her husband's -- house. It quickly becomes clear that the father is not going to let his daughter leave the house again -- and his ruthless dominance is unbalanced enough to indicate that Noel cannot take Mila as his wife. Meanwhile, flashbacks and dream sequences provide some clues as to who fathered Mila's baby -- an injustice in itself that merits some sort of retribution. The irrational tyranny of a retired policeman over his abject wife and family emerges as a powerful force in this story of incest, abuse, and pervasive, internalized fear -- apparently based on a true case history.

What I actually like about the film:

Director: Mike de Leon

I was slightly familiar with some of the films directed by Mike de Leon like Sister Stella L., since I already took film appreciation when I was second year. And based from what I had observed, he will really gave the actors and actresses equal rights to unleash their acting prowess in every scenes of the film. He will make sure that every lines will give a full distinction of the character by more exposures. I guess he really wanted to establish the mood or the feeling of the audience once they have seen the movie in order to convince them that its not just about how to entertain an audience whose hungry about movies but also to imply culture and values to create moral lessons for them. Since he bloomed from the time where Ferdinand Marcos is on power, no wonder his films has diverse topics on social realism and pain from different social issues that time.

So let's see how Mike de Leon handled the film. As I mentioned awhile ago, de Leon never forgets to give chance to his characters to shine in their own rights. Although we know that the main characters are Mila and his dad, he made it to a point that the audience will feel also the other remaining character. Compare to the films we are making right now, I guess the difference is that films today often give the limelight to the protagonist alone, the common structure the "bida" strived, hurt and comes back again with revenge and ends up happy. That's what I hate about our films today. The film makers always focuses the story on the protagonist, so much that they already forgot that they casted so many good talents but unequal amount of exposure had hinder that from them. And its like the story has lesser twists and the plot is so shallow. Unlike de Leon's film, he established the characters so well that it gave you chills whenever Vic Silayan is on the scene or pity Charito Solis for being a helpless "under-the-husband" mother. He also amazed me by the way he showed the backstories and dreams of Mila. Well, its really weird and erry for me, and he managed to create that feeling through good lights and cinematography (Rody Lacap). The editing (Jess Navarro) and the music (Lorrie Ilustre) were also good considering the fact that they are deprived of editing softwares that we are using now.

I think I can compare his works to Lino Brocka though Brocka is really a legend. I like de Leon's movies as much as I like Brocka's. This is the reason why I wanted to live on their era where films are highly respected not only as profession but as a documentary of our real life that says this is the our way of life, accept it and create change to make our country a better place to live.

Writers: Mike de Leon, Nick Joaquin, Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr. and Raquel Villavicencio

The film was based on the story of Nick Joaquin's the House on Zapote Street. It was a case of multiple murder by Cabading

I salute these script writers because they had able to make a concise story out of their inspiration and make it more dramatic. They also created so many twists which makes the story more interesting to watch. You know that they had work hand in hand and they really dedicated their time and efforts to make the film at its best. No wonder the film is a success because of their brilliant minds.

Actors and Actresses:

Charo Santos (Mila)

Mila is the main character of the story. Fragile and the "daddy's little girl" until she met Noel (Jay Ilagan) and this changed her life forever. She really proved that she deserves to be in this role because of her great acting skills. My favorite one is when she confessed that she wants to escape her hell life and tried convincing her mother to go with her but her mother rejects the idea. Talk about complete darkness and great cinematography and lighting there.

Jay Ilagan (Noel)
I'm not really a fan of this guy but because of his subtle acting I guess it paved way for Mila and Dadong to shine. :)

Vic Silayan (Dadong)
Man, he's freaking scary like on the nth level! I was really afraid of all his scenes with matching eerie music. But the acting was way way too good for not be commended. Applause for you sir vic silayan! :))

Charito Solis (Dely)
Her acting is really good. I don't really know how to describe her as an actress but she is really really good.

Favorite scenes

Mila's dad used to drive her on her way to office (that sucks!)

Noel visited Mila's dad to seek confirmation and approval of their wedding and instead his dad showed his disagreement by holding worms (which is by the way their business) and explaining that life would be rough on them.

The awkward dinner of the two families where they discussed about the date of the wedding and the "dote" to be given by Noel. The part where Dely had the courage to say her suggestion leads the audience to think that she is under her husband's spell because when Dadong shut her up, she never talked again and the pressure around the table is really devious.