As days and the world is getting older–so as people evolve as well. Brillante Ma Mendoza‘s SISID is a film that could reflect what humans have become these days.
Love cannot be love if there is no tolerance. Perhaps that’s what the filmmaker is simply trying to tell today’s audience. Judging on how the approach of the film’s storytelling, it’s not formulaic, but it retains elements that sell to the old or young moviegoers.
It is unfair to [totally] accuse Filipino films of having low quality versus Hollywood franchise films like Marvel-centered superhero flicks. Filipino filmmakers can concoct mind-boggling stories and productions–take the case of MMFF 2021 entry—Kun Maupay Man it Panahon and Big Night, but did these films merit more audiences even after raking awards at the film fest’s ‘Gabi ng Parangal’?
It still didn’t.
Now can filmmakers be blamed for coming up with surefire hits that satisfy the immediate urges of a captive market–like those who subscribed to VivaMax?
Mendoza’s film, completed only in eight shooting days–is not close to the Oscar-winning Korean film Parasite, but still decent enough for entertainment and attempt to disturb the viewers’ minds.
SISID is about a mature married man who got smitten with a soon-to-be father young man.
The married couple, Jason and Abby (Paolo Gumabao and Kylie Versoza) have been trying to have a baby for over five years but to no avail because of the latter’s illness.
During Jason’s assignment as a marine biologist, where he had to lead the rehabilitation and preservation of Pola, Mindoro’s fish sanctuary–he met Dennis (Vince Rillon), his diving assistant.
The two hit it off instantly.
Dennis has a problem of his own—his girlfriend Tanya (Christine Bermas) is pregnant.
As days went by, both Jason and Dennis developed feelings for each other—eventually giving in to their sexual desires. Things got even more complicated when Abby caught Jason and Dennis in the act.
In the end, both men had to part ways.
Its plot is simple. Mendoza made it complex because of his approach to his actors to portray the characters he imagined as two-dimensional.
The silence employed in the film and the scenic underwater cinematography promise its audience an adventure they can experience through the lenses that the international director has captured in his lenses. Moviegoers would feel like diving into the ocean’s bed, together with Jason and Dennis.
The location is a perfect setting to develop the budding relationship of the two male leads. True, the ocean has this kind of pull on Jason, drawing him nearer to the mystery of Dennis’s personality. Mendoza didn’t intend to create a spectacular kind of production design.
The natural beauty of Pola, Mindoro is enough to contrast the couples’ life in Manila. Jason’s exploration of the place is like exploring his newfound fondness toward Dennis.
Kudos to the sensitive acting of its lead stars–Gumabao, Versoza, and Rillon. Mendoza succeeded in encapsulating the emotions of the characters via the actors’ nuanced acting.
J.A. Redmerski’s words in The Edge of Always are reflected in SISID, “I guess sometimes the greatest memories are made in the most unlikely of places, further proof that spontaneity is more rewarding than a meticulously planned life.”
What is admirable about this piece that Mendoza did was his efforts in not exploiting his actors to expose much of their skins. He chose to tease his audience instead. The BL theme that Viva may be trying to capitalize in promoting the film–is not a screaming one. It’s up to the moviegoers if they’d tag it as a BL story.
Attraction to the same sex like man-to-man can be a spontaneous encounter, not necessarily a serendipitous, romantic affair all through and through. In short, Mendoza didn’t force the bond between Jason and Dennis to progress further. It’s up to the audience to interpret its possible continuing story.
Also in the film are Irma Adlawan, Mayton Eugenio, and even Ina Alegre, who made a cameo as the town mayor (the real-life, incumbent mayor of Pola, Mindoro).
SISID is available for streaming on Vivamax starting Wednesday, January 19.
