Film & TV

OzAsia Film Review: Thy Womb (Sinapupunan)

 

thy-wombCelebrated director Brillante Mendoza is the only Filipino to win the coveted Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival (for his controversial film Kinatay), and now teams up with Filipina superstar Nora Aunor for this leisurely, award-winning 2012 drama set in the remote archipelago of Tawi-Tawi.

The tale is a simple, straight-forward one, unveiling the village life of fisherman Bangas-An (Bembol Roco) and his infertile wife Shaleha (Nora Aunor) in her quest to find her husband a second wife to bear him a child. The story unfolds amongst the daily going-ons of their humdrum village life, interrupted by occasional celebrations, prayers and political unrest.

There are long stretches without dialogue as the naturalistic action takes place, yet Aunor in particular provides a stunningly insightful and deep portrayal of a woman torn between devotion to her husband, and the agonising thought of sharing him with another woman. Day by day, she leaves her village for neighbouring islands to seek a new mate for him, but the pain in her eyes goes unnoticed.

Village life is steeped in local Muslim culture and many aspects of this film require some basic knowledge of lifestyle. The slow, even pace of the storytelling offers little variety until the unexpected final moments which bring it to a satisfying close. Those seeking high drama or eruptions of emotion won’t find it here, however those keen to be drawn in to a suprisingly captivating tale, may easily be tempted to reprise the four-minute standing ovation Thy Womb received at the Venice Film Festival.

With its firm focus on character over action, Thy Womb is both charming and engaging but not for all tastes.

Reviewed by Rod Lewis

Rating out of 10: 7

Thy Womb (Sinapupunan)
When: 14 & 27 September 2013
Where: Mercury Cinema, 13 Morphett St, Adelaide
More information: OzAsia Festival website

 

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