The
training for these post-war Filipino priests is almost like a spiritual Fear Factor. For seven days, they will
be sequestered in a remote villa to confront their inner and outer demons. The
latter are very real to these novices. As if the sink-or-swim practice were not
problematic enough, a young girl considered either a healer or a false prophet
has been remanded to the manse for her protection. Unfortunately, nobody can
protect the novices from the temptation and torment that follows in Erik Matti’s
Seklusyon (trailer here), which screens
during the annual New Filipino Cinema series at the Yerba Buena Arts Center.
Miguel
is a deacon about to start the seven days of isolated contemplation that will
proceed his ordination. He still feels guilty over something from his previous
life, but he will not reveal it to his confessor. All four novices harbor
secret sins that the evil agency in question will exploit.
Meanwhile,
Padre Ricardo has been dispatched to investigate the young Anghela Sta. Ana,
whom many revere as a living saint. Her healing powers sure look genuine, but
something about her arouses the suspicions of the jaded war veteran. When Sta.
Ana’s parents are violently murdered (odd that she couldn’t heal them, right?),
the good Father will have to shift his focus to Sister Cecilia, her mysterious
protector. In what seems like a spectacularly bad decision, regardless of what
you might believe, the Bishop sends Sta. Ana and Sister Cecilia to the
seclusion villa for safe keeping.
Needless to say, their presence is quite the distraction.
While
it is initially unclear whether Sta. Ana is a savior or demon, the novices are
still in for it either way, because this is a horror movie. Even though it is
set in the post-war Philippines, Nathaniel Hawthorne could have sniffed out the
sulfuric evil one right away. Indeed, this slow-burning tale of guilt and sin
shares a distant kinship with his more sinister tales, particularly “Young
Goodman Brown,” in which the infernal masquerades as the innocent.
Matti
skillfully creates a mood of mounting dread and masterfully sets the ominous mise-en-scene.
However, the atmospheric moodiness can be too much of a good thing, enveloping
the cast like a fog. Although they are played by some highly recognizable
Philippine actors, it is a bit of a challenge to keep all four novices
straight. In contrast, Padre Ricardo and Sister Cecilia are highly compelling
characters, thanks to their intriguing backstories and the rigorously disciplined
performances of Neil Ryan Sese and Phoebe Walker. Likewise, young Rhed
Bustamante is pretty incredible as Anghela Sta. Ana, or whoever she might be.
When
Seklusyon really gets deep into the
brimstone, its unsettling imagery recalls The
Omen franchise and Jerzy Kawalerowicz’s Mother Joan of the Angels, which is high praise indeed. It is the sort of film
whose ending makes everything that came before seem creepier in retrospect.
(For those who see it, this Marist Brother’s insightful analysis will further
your appreciation, but it is filled with spoilers.) Ultimately, it is quite refreshing
to see a horror film that prioritizes symbolism over special effects.
Recommended for fans of religious-themed supernatural horror, Seklusyon screens this Friday (8/18) and
Thursday the 31st, as part of New Filipino Cinema 2017 at the YBCA. Those
in San Francisco might consider checking out the sunny but angsty Apocalypse Child this Friday, as well.
