Pa-siyam

I was just expecting some average horror film that would come out in my monitor. But as I had the video rolling it had hooked me in a very fashionable and stylized movie; a rare feat for most of the Filipino directors we have in this movie industry. These movie as I can consider is a neo-classical gem of a movie. I have watched many horror movies both foreign and local. But honestly I didn't like most of the local movies especially Sukob (which I find at the least boring), and Feng Shui, with the clichéd long black-hair-covered-faced-woman. But this movie can stand on it's own.

The story starts at the wake of the main character's mother. He (Roderick Paulate)had decided with his 4 siblings that they should stay for their mother's Pasiyam. But during the Pasiyam rites they start experiencing horrid manifestations that occur while they are asleep. With the help of the strange lady they uncovered the truth on what really is happening.

The movie is dark, and entertaining. It really got me smiling at the ending. Though I was sad about Ruth (I found Aubrey cute for the first time). A nice film to add in the pantheon of Asian movies. A must see.

The scares are repetitive, not because the filmmakers ran out of tricks to dish out, but because they are coming from a nagging ghost-mom, trying to make her children aware of their wrongdoing. At first, it's just a few pieces of poo, a puddle of urine, a pack of Pancit Canton. The next time, it's a bucketful of poo, overflowing urine, and more Pancit Canton to feed a squatter colony. She's obviously nagging them, but the children are headstrong on their innocence, insisting that they're guilt-free of their mom's suffering.

Pa-Siyam is a truly rare Filipino horror film that can compare well to the other well known and copied Asian horror counterparts. While many horror films copy the usual Ringu, Ju-On, and Dark Water trio, Pa-Siyam draws upon local superstition as a source. The film builds up the tension and atmosphere to deliver scares that are not cheap. Special kudos to Paulate who is tremendous and is able to break out of the usual fare he was involved in. The rest of the cast did good as well. Despite the small budget, the film delivers the goods in a more efficient and effective manner than some of the bland and big budget copies of successful horror trends. Note, I didn't use the subtitle so I can't comment on it.

Pa-Siyam is a about the gathering of a recently deceased woman's sons and daughters for the funeral and to carry out the traditional 9 days of prayer. In that time, a haunting begins to take place and deep family secrets are unburied.

This is Erik Matti's first effort in the horror genre and I was brought to it after watching his short films, Vesuvius and I is for Invincible, and feature length movie, Seklusyon. All of which I consider not only some of the best horror movies but also some of the best productions in Philippine Cinema. What the three have in common are: They have relentlessly terrifying sound designs, immersive cinematography, and tight storylines, the three aspects that make these horror flicks stand out.

While Pa-siyam has a unique story and culturally rooted, it is dulled by the deterioration of the technical aspects and doesn't quite dazzle now, as it probably did back then when it was first shown. As recorded, it was nominated for the Gawad Urian (a distinguished award giving body in the Philippines by critics) Award for Best Production Design by Richard Somes, for Best Sound by Ramon Reyes, and Best Cinematography by J.A. Tadena in 2005 but viewing the movie now (2018) its hard to appreciate its achievement.

Fortunately, despite of the fuzziness of the existing copy, a few bits withstand the damage, and have caught my attention One is the acting of Roderick Paulate as the stern, eldest sibling. It is a rarity to see him in such a role as he is known mostly in comedy and as a lively host in a long running noon time show. Nevertheless, he does a very good job disappearing into the character. Another is the climax, which shocking nature has only been slightly diminished by quality loss.

These beg the question "What if it is in its pristine condition?" I believe if does get picked up for restoration, it would be a mighty fine discovery of a gem of a film. Otherwise, its just an okay movie with its potential denied of exhibition.