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LitoZulueta
Reviews
Tatarin (2001)
Familiar territory
FAMILIAR TERRITORY by Lito B. Zulueta, Published in Philippine Daily Inquirer, January 7, 2002
Some of the currency of public affairs journalism that flavors "Hubog" and "Bagong Buwan" is used to some ironic effect in the period drama "Tatarin," Tikoy Aguiluz's filmization of Nick Joaquin's short story "Summer Solstice" and play of the same title. Aguiluz really returns to familiar territory here: he achieved renown in the 1970s when his short film on the Mt. Banahaw rituals won an international prize. In fact, "Tatarin" achieves a mesmerizing effect in the mountain ritual parts that provide the viewers the special feel of religion with their strange brew of mysticism and pre-literate hysteria.
Aguiluz's documentary flair is used to remarkable effect here. If he's guilty of embellishment and sensationalism, as in the sex scenes, he can be forgiven because he portrays the battle of the sexes, resurgent matriarchy, male insecurity, the clash between the old and modernity-interweaving themes in Joaquin's fiction and drama-with the detachment of a scientist or even a journalist. Among the films of the Metro Manila Film Festival 2001, "Tatarin" is really the most realized, without even a mere tokenism to global cinema. It is the movie that is most faithful to its material and vision.