“xxx Thy Womb (Sinapupunan, 2012) tells the story of a midwife, Shaleha (Nora Aunor), who cannot have children. The film follows her and her husband Bangas An (Bembol Rocco) on their search for a second wife to provide them with the family they crave.
“Set in the seaweed-producing island province of Tawi-Tawi, Thy Womb juxtaposes the great poverty of its inhabitants, many of whom live in shacks perching perilously on stilts above the sea, with the breathtakingly beautiful seascape. The poverty of the island dwellers is also countered by their immense capacity for generosity. Lavish wedding celebrations are organised, money is readily given or lent and hospitality is part of the culture.
(video-trailer produced by Centerstage Productions, uploaded by pinoymovies in YouTube, used here non-commercially for review purposes)
“This is not to say that Mendoza paints an idyllic picture of these people. Pirates steal boats and belongings, whilst soldiers and gunfire are so ubiquitous as to be humdrum. When Shaleha is knocked down by a group of soldiers in the market, she doesn’t even think to mention it to her husband. Yet Mendoza chooses not to dwell on the political and social aspects of the Philippines.
“There is no need for hyperbole when the poverty and potential for violence is so apparent. Instead, the director focuses on the relationship between husband and wife. Other than being childless, Shaleha and Bangas An seem to have the perfect marriage: love, respect, humour and mutual understanding. Yet this lack of a child is viewed as a lack of divine grace and they need a child to make their marriage whole. Thus begins the quest from island to island, down the Indonesian archipelago.
“Eventually, they find a suitable girl at a decent price and the couple are relieved and happy. But there’s a catch: the girl wants Shaleha out of the picture once the first child is born. Bangas An is left with a choice: the child he so desperately craves versus the woman he has created a life with. Thy Womb is a moving and visually captivating movie with two commanding yet understated central performances. Mendoza’s film deserves an accolade at Venezia 69.xxx”
( can’t blog. finished checking all media law exam papers… 4 days b4 deadline. R will decode: they’re given in blind, i.e., no examinees’ names, just student numbers.)
where are the movie lines? betcha prefer reading movie lines picked for this month’s can’t-blog series:
Way back before she was voted worst actress by Razzies for the Twilight series (but highest paid by Forbes), Kristen Stewart starred in the critically acclaimed indie film “Speak”, about a “selective mute” teen-ager who enters high school:
(Text and all photos rightclicked from imdb.com used here non-commercially for academic purposes)
Melinda Sordino
(played by Kristen Stewart): [voiceover] We’re studying American history for the ninth time in nine years. Every year they say we’re gonna get right up to the present but we always get stuck in the industrial revolution.
Mr. Neck (played by Robert John Burke): My family has been in this country for over 200 years. We built this place. We fought in every war, from the first one to the last one, paid our taxes and voted. So tell me WHY my son can’t get a job?
(a number of students raise their hand but he ignores them)
Mr. Neck: Reverse discrimination. He wanted to be a firefighter. Went up for the job but he didn’t get it. What I’m suggesting here is maybe if we had closed our borders in 1900 then real americans would get the jobs they deserved.
(the Native American student raises his hand but the teacher points to Heather)
Mr. Neck: Young lady.
Heather (played by Allison Siko): Um, I think that we’re all foreigners and should just give the country back to the native americans.
Mr. Neck: Now we have a debate, don’t we? “Native Americans”?
African-American student: Maybe your son didn’t get the job because he wasn’t good enough. Or maybe he’s lazy. Or maybe the other guy was just better than him.
Mr. Neck: Watch your mouth, mister. That’s my son you’re talking about. You know what? That’s enough debate. Everybody take out your book.
(Dave stands up to speak)
Mr. Neck: Mr. Petrakis, please take your seat.
David Petrakis(played by Michael Angarano): If the class is debating then each student has the right to say what’s on his mind.
Mr. Neck: I decide who talks in here, Mr. Petrakis.
David Petrakis: You opened a debate, you can’t close it just because it’s not going your way.
Mr. Neck: Watch me! Take your seat, Mr. Petrakis!
David Petrakis: The Constitution does not recognize different levels of citizenship based upon the time spent in the country. As a citizen and a student I’m protesting the tone of this lesson as racist, intolerant, and zenophobic.
Mr. Neck: Sit your butt in that chair, Mr Petrakis, and watch your mouth! I try to get this debate going and you people turn it into a “race” thing. Sit down, Mr. Petrakis, or you’re gonna go down to the principal’s office.
(Dave walks out of the room)
Melinda Sordino: (voiceover) Dave Petrakis is my new hero.
Mr. Neck (played by Robert John Burke): My family has been in this country for over 200 years. We built this place. We fought in every war, from the first one to the last one, paid our taxes and voted. So tell me WHY my son can’t get a job?
(played by Allison Siko): Um, I think that we’re all foreigners and should just give the country back to the native americans.
