When I got the invitation to be at the Private Screening of Jerrold Tarog's freshest film, BLISS, I already started mulling its title over, and how it relates to its initial MTRCB Rating. [It was originally Rated X but got R18 after the second review.] I never got to watch the trailer so I didn't have a clue, but given that BLISS is an indie film, I thought perhaps it's one of those indie films that fail to make to the big screen due to their overly erotic content.
But I was WRONG. True, the film contains adult themes and language but BLISS is not at all PORNOGRAPHY. While there honestly were some nudity and sexually charged scenes, those were not the focus of the film. It focuses on uncomfortable realities such as the cost of fame, existence of artifice, rape, and other forms of psychological abuse.
The film revolves around Iza Calzado's character named Jane. It tells the story of an actress who's under the strain of the expectations coming from all directions. Unlike the real Iza Calzado, Jane isn't taken as seriously in the business which was what led her to decide to produce her own film—determined to gain the industry's respect. Unfortunately, things took an awful turn for Jane, and it was worse that she could imagine. Her mishap brought her trapped in a house where various uncanny phenomena would take place; not to mention that she was under the care of probably the weirdest nurse. Jane basically just dreamed but she ended up in a nightmare that seemed to not have an end.
I expected a lot from Iza given that she's one of the most award-winning actresses in the local scene, and boy she was brilliant. This is only the second film I watched with her in it, and on the first film, she had minimal appearance so I don't have much to compare her performance with, but judging her prowess based on other big stars' career highlights, I can honestly say that hers is not fabricated. She was too perfect for the role as if Tarog had her in mind while writing. But the fact is that she wasn't, and even if to Calzado's account she's "never satisfied" with her performance, in this movie, she delivered quite an undeniably satisfying performance—proving that along with her current teleserye co-star, Bea Alonzo, she is here TO LAST.
After watching the film, it became clear to me that when it comes to dealing with uncomfortable truths, MTRCB isn't quite there yet. I feel like if there's anything that needs to be reviewed first, it's their rating system, because it's obvious that it's not in sync with the current reality.
Like Tarog, I also believe that the Filipino audience have always been ready for this type of film. All it takes is a chance and an outlet for them to see it. Also, with Bliss' artistic merits—with Iza Calzado bagging the Yakushi Pearl Award for Best Performer for her perfomance in this film—it would be unfair that the Filipino audience themselves could not judge it on their own.
During the Q&A, I asked Tarog if there's anything he'd like the audience to take away after watching his film. He said he did not make the movie to provide any answers, but to raise questions.
I got out of the movie house with one question that disturbed me even while I was still watching the film. Maybe you'll have your own question if you watch it as it comes out uncensored on May 10 in cinemas nationwide, but mine was...
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?
