SEKLUSYON: A rare find in Philippine cinema!

Ace film director Erik Matti never fails to impress me every Metro Manila Film Festival.  Since 2012, I have always been amazed with his creativity and brilliance as a film director.  This year’s film fest is no exemption. Matti again proves his excellence as film maker.

Set in 1947, the movie begins with Padre Ricardo (Neil Ryan Sese) investigating the miraculous healing power of Anghela Sta. Ana (Rhed Bustamante). Padre Ricardo is a bit suspicious about Anghela  and Sister Cecilia (Phoebe Walker).  Meanwhile, Miguel (Ronnie Alonte) arrives at the secluded church and meets Sandoval (Lou Veloso), a former priest who has been excommunicated by the bishop. Miguel is there for a week- long seclusion where deacons are sent in a secluded area before they will be ordained as priests. Miguel meets fellow deacons, Carlo (JR Versales), Fabian (Dominic Roque) and Marco (John Vic De Guzman) who are on the same objective as Miguel.  While the four deacons are struggling to tussle their own personal demons in the secluded place, Anghela and Sister Cecilia were sent by the bishop to the same area after Anghela’s parents were massacred.  As days go by, abominable truths are unmasked.

The story itself is risqué! Screen writer Anton Santamaria has the audacity to depict the shady system in Catholic church, the belief on faith healing and false prophet and the deception of humans from evil. It’s also commendable on how he uses the back stories of the deacons to establish the frailties of each.   

The technical aspect of the film is unmatched. Cinematographer Neil Bion effectively plays with light and shadow to set the tone and mood in each scene. It heightens the horror. Musical scoring is forceful to intensify the dread. Production design is successful in setting up a look of a post World War II era in the Philippines as the movie's backdrop.

Direk Matti is a genius in gradually creating the phase to shock the audience in the climax.The film's visuals are crisp and polished.

If the film aesthetics is first-rate, the acting of the lead actor (Ronnie Alonte) is a mediocre. I know for a fact that Alonte is a nouveau in the industry but the actor did not deliver as expected to  portray the role of an integral character in the movie. This is stark contrast to child actress Bustamante’s delineation of the cunning              Anghela.  Bustamante is very raw and honest.

In its entirety, I can say that SEKLUSYON is a rare find in Philippine cinema’s horror genre. It’s a finish product that definitely be considered a classic in the years to come.

My rating: 9/10

photo credits to Reality Entertainment.