‘Thy Womb’ seemed
to have Mother Nature included in its production payroll as the sun, the rain,
a rainbow, a butanding (whale shark)
all appear or disappear as if on cue from the film’s director, Brillante Ma.
Mendoza.
Call it divine intervention, if you will, because these
incidents allowed Direk Brillante to make full use of Tawi-Tawi’s
picture-perfect nature shots to convey the film’s unsentimental approach to the
ordinariness of extraordinary situations.
Panoramic vistas of the turquoise blue sea in the opening
sequences will leave a lasting impression upon viewers. There are aerial shots
of the houses built on stilts and breathtaking underwater shots of a huge butanding. Scenes of a floating market
may give the impression that these were shot in Thailand but the setting is
actually in Sitangkai. This remote fishing village in Tawi-Tawi is known as the
"Venice of the Philippines" due to the predominance of boats as transportation.
Vibrant hues are used to the hilt in a Muslim wedding scene, which also
features a multitude of colorful vintas. These stunning visuals make ‘Thy Womb’ a lyrical ode to Tawi-Tawi.
‘Thy Womb’ is
included in the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival and is the only movie among the
eight official entries to be released internationally prior to its local
screening. ‘Thy Womb’ was in
competition for the 69th Venice International Film Festival.
Nora Aunor plays Shaleha, a Badjao midwife who is unable to
bear a child for her husband Bangas-An, played by Bembol Roco. Shaleha is
unwavering in her quest to find a suitable “second wife” for her husband,
specifically one who would bear him a child. Lovi Poe as Mersila is the young
woman who agrees to the set-up—a practice that is accepted in Badjao culture. Written by Henry Burgos, ‘Thy
Womb’ is the only non-mainstream film included in this year’s MMFF.
It would be best for audiences to keep an open mind when
watching 'Thy Womb'. There are no dramatic confrontation scenes between the wife
and the would-be “other woman”. There are sporadic acts of violence in this
otherwise tranquil place. The process of acquiring a new wife is business-like
as negotiations between the bride and groom’s parties are simple and straightforward.
‘Thy Womb’ challenges
viewers to drop—for at least 90 minutes—their long-held beliefs, both personal
and cultural.
It is an eye-opener about life in the southernmost part of
Mindanao as it presents little-known customs, rituals and day-to-day realities
of Tawi-Tawi’s seaside community.
The film’s unflinching authenticity is
impressive. The genuine real-time birth scene, the actual beheading of a cow,
the six languages spoken by various characters throughout the movie—all speak
of the effort and attention to detail put in by the entire cast and crew.
According to a linguist invited to the film’s screening in
Davao City, languages spoken in ‘Thy Womb’
include Tagalog, mostly uttered by the main stars Nora Aunor, Bembol Roco, Lovi
Poe and Mercedes Cabral; English, Arabic (for the Muslim prayers and
greetings), Tausug (spoken by Mersila’s family), Central Sinama and Southern
Sinama spoken by the children, vendors and extras in the background.
As Nora Aunor’s comeback movie, ‘Thy Womb’ is a fitting vehicle to display the Superstar’s acting
prowess on the big screen. Her piercing melancholic eyes convey more emotion
than words ever could.
Trapped between his need to have a child of his own and the
rules of the betrothal arrangement, Bembol Roco’s performance effectively
arouses both sympathy and resentment.
Lovi Poe’s beguiling innocence beneath her cold practicality
is convincing.
In one fell swoop, Mendoza weaves the personal (one’s notion
of selfless love, joy, sadness,) with the cultural (how one’s actions, choices,
thoughts are dictated by the society one is in) and the national (Tawi-Tawi’s
socio-political setting). His sweeping execution is subtle yet emotions
are felt intensely and particular beliefs are known without being preached.
If you are open to having your view of Mindanao challenged,
if you are up to the idea of watching a movie that puts you out of your comfort
zone, if you are willing to question your own judgments and preconceived
notions—this film is a must-see. If you want to witness Nora Aunor’s long-anticipated
comeback on the big screen, this movie is worth the wait.
‘Thy Womb’ will
move you with its heartbreaking ending and the sensation, not just the memory,
lingers long after you’ve left the theater.
‘Thy Womb’ is one of the entries competing in the 38th MMFF that
will run from December 25, 2012 until January 8, 2013.
(
JENNIFER DUGENA and
JOCELYN DIMACULANGAN, Philippine Entertainment Portal)
