Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank: A Movie Review

July 17, 2011. A Sunday afternoon was the scheduled date for the viewing of the film, “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (The Woman in the Septic Tank)”. This movie is one of the films in the competition category. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank is not like the usual indie film that everyone used to know. It showcases another side of the indie films; the truth for every film’s success.

The movie is visually appealing to the audience. Like any other indie films, there is the element of shaky shots which is not new, for indie films are known for that quality. And as for the quality of the film, it is not like the older kinds of indie films that are dark and the resolution differs. The way Ang Babae sa Septic Tank was filmed, the quality is as close to the mainstream movies now. When I saw some scenes at the beginning, I uttered “Ang ganda ng quality, parang mainstream.”

The characters acted well in the movie, and they way they deliver their lines are for real; a small hint of acting is good enough to support the acting that was for real. It was like they were just normal people having a chat with their old friend. Aside from that, the setting shows a deeper meaning to film. The setting matched what the character’s wanted to show in the film they are making.

The most important part of the movie is the story itself. The “movie within movie” theme is very interesting. Starting off with how the characters play their role and how the setting gives effect to it, the movie presents shows another side of the indie film. Though it seemed like the movie is filled with humorous scenes, which was evident through Eugene Domingo’s acting as well as other lead roles, there are times that such scenes would really struck to reality about films. An example would be when the Rainier (Kean Cipriano) said to Bong (JM de Guzman), “The shakier the scenes shots are the better.” This line is really true for indie films; it is one of the distinct characters of indie films that differentiate it with mainstream movies.

The Cast (L-R: Kean Cipriano, Cai Cortez, Eugene Domingo, and JM De Guzman)

This film presents many realities about indie films; the truth and lies behind it. There were several scenes that would really make you realize the current status of Filipino movies. In my opinion, indie films can already replace mainstream. However, people do not get tired of love stories with happy endings, etc. For a movie to get recognition here and abroad, it has to be with substance. Indie films have been popular nowadays for the different stories that they present.

Lastly, the realization that an Indie film can get attraction from many people is that you have to present the reality alone. As the story wants to show, the poorer the situation is the better and the poorer the life of the characters is, the better. This is one realization that really hits me. I don’t get why people have to put on a show like that just for hundreds of people to appreciate it.

People who believe in the power of mainstream movies are stuck into the reality that life is just about happy ending; there is more in it that is yet to be revealed through Independent films.

written by: Annie Mae Dela Cruz