Ang Babae Sa Septik Tank

GALLO, Audrey Nicole R. October 2, 2014
IV-BACOMM

Last Saturday, we watched “Ang Babae Sa Septik Tank” during Introduction To Film class. It is a movie that follows two aspiring filmmakers, Bingbong (played by JM De Guzman) and Rainier (played by Kean Cipriano), as they venture into making a film that would gain them international recognition. The two discusses over matters that would help them achieve their goal like what the title of the movie should be, who should be in it, and what treatment is most suited for their film. “Ang Babae Sa Septik Tank” easily caught my attention starting with the opening scene. The scene was taken in a slums area. I can say they did a good job filming this part because the shots did captivate me and I was able to sympathize with the characters present in the scenes. I liked the way it focused on certain people like the kid eating noodles and the little girl whose poop got smelled by the cat. I also liked the dolly shot which followed a teenage boy wherein you could see what sorts of lifestyles are present in a slums area. The first shot wherein Mila, the mother in the film Rainier and Bingbong was making, was dark. I think it symbolized the hardships Mila was encountering. It also showed that most of the houses in a slums area do not have electricity. In terms of costume, I really like what Mila was wearing. Just a loose, faded, blue t-shirt and a pair of leggings; her hair was messy; I think the wardrobe did a good job in this. As this is something close to reality and you could expect a mother from the class D or E wearing such outfit in a normal morning in her abode. I think that the hair also suited the mood Mila was in that scene- disorganized and problematic. Mila did a nice job in her acting and I could really sense the tension present in her. This was proven more during the scene wherein she was bathing her child through her hand gestures and facial expression. In the shots taken inside the café, the menu was shot and was held for a minute or two and then Jocelyn, the PA, and Bingbong’s face was taken. Their facial expressions of the two showed that money was hard for the production team. However, Rainier being who he’s character is, did not feel this and proceeded to just ordering. I did not like the actress in the scene especially when she said “meron.” It sounded slang and made an impression that she is conyo hence she is not tailored for the role. While the production team was inside the café, Bingbong and Rainier were discussing on how they could better their film. The cut, where in Bingbong and Rainier was seen in an alternating manner, made it seem like the two were really discussing a serious matter. You know that they really are confused on what to do. During the argument of Rainier and Bingbong, the latter said that he prefers the film to be a docu-drama wherein the casts would be real people. This treatment was very different compared to how it was first presented. It was heavier and for some reason I felt scared. I guess it is because the Mila in this treatment was harsher compared to the first and her voice was cold. However, I did not like the part where the security guard shot the cameraman using his gun. It was an overly acting and did not seem close to reality. After that, it was back to Bingbong and Rainier who this time time were meeting Arthur Poongbato. The way it seemed to me Arthur is the two’s successful rival as he has been awarded internationally. I like his costume as it seemed something a social climber, artsy-fartsy person would wear. His acting was nice and you could sense his arrogance. In this part, Jocelyn said “hi” without any voice coming out from her. I think it was really weird. While Arthur was talking about his success, Rainier said “nice” in a very cold voice and then it was cut and Rainier and Jocelyn was shown. Rainier’s cold voice and the two’s facial expression showed that Rainier did not like Arthur and was either intimidated by his stories or he just did not care. In the part wherein Arthur was sipping coffee his face was closed-up and you could feel that he was about to make a comment which he did. He said “expresso” instead of “espresso” which gave his character a more trying-hard vibe. The next scene was inside Bingbong’s car. Rainier and Bingbong were commenting about Arthur. Their lines, the way they throwed, plus the musical scoring made that scene funny. Inside the car, they had a brilliant idea which is to make their film into a musical. The way they sang plus the dance was funny. However, I did not like that there was a student in that scene wearing a Miriam College uniform. It was not right to put a student from such prestigious school in that scene since that scene was supposed to represent the social strata classes D and E. I am not being anti-poor but since I know that the tuition fee in the said school is expensive, the student was not supposed to be there because it is rare to find these classes in the Miriam College environment. In the next scene, Rainier and Bingbong went to Eugene Domingo’s house. I really loved her house and it was like something you would expect the rich and famous to live in. The house was really beautiful. And the fact that she had so many staffs showed that her character was really living the life of the rich and famous. While Rainier and Bingbong were standing in front of the gate, the cameraman of the “Ang Babae Septik Tank” did an eagle’s eye view. I think that this showed that the house for Rainier, Bingbong, and Jocelyn is intimidating. I also like Eugene Domingo’s acting as this showed what type of actress she really is. She is very versatile because she was able to portray a mother, a millionaire, and an actress. Inside the house of Eugene Domingo, another idea evolved. It was what if the “Walang-Wala”, the movie being produced by Rainier and Bingbong, was commercialized. Eugene Domingo this time was wearing make-up and it seemed like it really was a commercial. The lines were something we could expect to hear and see in a mainstream television show or movie. After going to Eugene Domingo’s house, the production team made an ocular visit to the slums area they would be shooting at. The trio were acting like it really was their first time to go into location. The scene’s fun and vibrant vibe, was more evidenced through the music playing in the background. However, regarding the part where Bingbong’s car was robbed was not good enough for me. Instead of being able to symphatize with the trio I found comedic. I didn’t like JM de Guzman’s acting. The scene became weirder when Jocelyn let out a loud cry. Since that was the first time she let out her voice in the movie it seemed funny. The directors of “Ang Babae Sa Septik Tank” could have not added this. If they wanted a silent PA, they could have continued it until the end of the movie. In the end of the movie, I think that the reason why the Rainier and Bingbong’s film is entitled “Walang Wala” because everything was to be taken away from them. However, it is possible that it is not since Eugene fell into the septic tank which she really did not want. Over-all I give “Ang Babae Sa Septik Tank” a 4. Yes, I liked it but if there is still room for improvement with this movie, most importantly regarding the title. Naming it as such did not give justice to Rainier and Bingbong’s character since they are the real lead of the movie and Eugene Domingo’s role was only secondary. Come to think of it, may be this is why Jocelyn did not speak because it was intended for Eugene Domigo’s role to be portrayed as the lead female.