Indie, indie why art thou?

(Film Review)

What makes an independent film like one?  Is it the product of a ‘small’ filmmaker’s egotistical creativity?

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank does not answer the questions but attempts to go into the psyche of those who veer away from making mainstream or glossy commercial movies.  It is a funny satire of the dynamic interplay among stars, director, producer, scriptwriter, production staff --- and  an audience waiting and wanting to see the difference --- and eventually be awed by its uniqueness, if at all.

Septic is unique in many ways.  It is a movie within a movie.  The last time a movie like this came along was the critically acclaimed Tuhog by Jeff Jeturian.  But this Eugene Domingo starrer is funny and serious at the same time.  The in-your-face characters are believable that make one say, ‘that is how they do it!'.

Consider these.  For self-proclaimed critics, film buffs and Pinoy regular moviegoers who shun regular movies because they’re formulaic will realize that there is after all a formula to  making an indie film.  The jittery camera shots, rustic cinematography, the grit that one can almost smell, poverty that comes alive that will put to shame any 3D flick, some actors playing minor roles whose names are hard to recall, one or two mainstream artists with restrained acting, and finally a director who goes hopping from one international film festival to another --- all make an interesting tapestry of an overrated and underrated indie film.  Never mind the low production cost and dismal result at the box office that are usual characteristics. 

But who cares about the gross receipts.  A so-called international adulation by snooty film elites and being featured in movie festivals abroad, now a dime and a dozen, seem enough for some independent moviemakers to harp about their artistic pieces in an otherwise unfamiliar territory.  “Ibigay natin ang gusto ng mga international festivals.”  This line in the move still rings a bell.  And sure it will go places.  Beat this.  “Kapag indie filmmaker ka pala, para ka ring jetsetter.”  Says an obvious ego tripper whose first film made it to the Venice Film Festival.

At one point in the movie, one will ask:  is there a dearth of recognition for indie films in the country?  Or better yet, are local moviegoers too shallow or bombarded with commercialism that makes it difficult to understand the profundity of a small film that uses at least only two cameras, the reason why shots are few and scenes are dragging.

When you look at it, Septic attempts to go commercial.  Or gives one an idea that an indie producer does after all think about financial gains out of a meager budget.  It capitalizes on the tested comedic antics of Ms. Domingo who after all is what makes the movie refreshing to see.  Even the choice of an actor to play the major role is now a paramount consideration.  “Mas bagay yata kay Cherrie Pie Picache or di kaya kay Mercedes Cabral.”  The producer and the director would debate on the actor to play the lead role.  Of course, they ended up getting ‘it’ comedienne Eugene.  It is now considered the highest earning indie film to date raking in 20 million pesos on its first week.

After all, the only thing that makes it independent is that it is not produced by the big movie companies that operate on star system that supposedly helps make a killing at the box office.

“Check lahat, Direk. Pati frontal nudity.  Huwag mo lang akong palusungin sa totoong septic tank.”  Playing herself in the movie, Ms. Domingo rattles off a kilometric line while supposedly shooting her movie ‘Walang Wala’ and eventually falls into a septic tank.

That makes for a realistic indie film. So real that you can almost eat it.  But aren’t all movies supposed to be: real, for real, realistic.  Really, now!