From What is Before

From What is Before is a remarkably powerful and atmospheric movie from the Philippines, directed by esteemed filmmaker Lav Diaz. Released in 2014, the film features a talented cast that includes actors Perry Dizon, Roeder Camanag, and Hazel Orencio. The film presents an ambitious artistic vision, where Diaz meticulously constructs a world that grips the viewers’ thoughts, taking them on a transcending journey through historical milieu of the Philippines in the 1970s.

The narrative is set in the quiet village of San Nicolas in the Philippines and dates back to the five years (1970-1975) leading up to Ferdinand Marcos announcing martial law in the country. As the title suggests, the film tells the story of what was before this tumultuous period. It is filled with various symbols and metaphors that establish a strong emotional bond with viewers. Diaz employs unique storytelling tactics, exploring the intersection of the personal and the political, eventually leading to an intense climax.

Perry Dizon plays Sito, a respected and reliable figure within the community. The film portrays Sito's interactions with his fellow villagers, which include caring for his mentally handicapped younger brother, Tony (Roeder Camanag). Sito stands as a symbol of faith and resilience in a community that starts to experience strange and unnerving incidents. Following catholic traditions in a seemingly tranquil rural setting, the community finds its faith tested through these inexplicable occurrences.

Apart from Sito and Tony, there's the local faith healer, Itang (Hazel Orencio), who takes care of her younger sister Joselina (Karenina Haniel), who claims to have visions of the Virgin Mary. While initially drawing interest and faith from the community, Joselina's visions and subsequent events gain an eerie relevance as time progresses, testing the resolve and the faith of the villagers in the grimmest ways.

Meanwhile, a sense of dread begins to creep into the village with the arrival of military forces, which, while initially perceived as protection against the communists, bring a wave of fear and anxiety with them. This imminent danger is further enhanced by a complex web of personal relationships and individual stories, making the linear narrative much more gripping.

Diaz, who is known for his unique narrative style stretching over extended runtimes, takes his time developing the characters and delving into the sociopolitical landscape of the era. From What is Before, itself, stretches beyond five hours but its exquisite storytelling and empathetic character study keep the audience engaged throughout.

With a black and white palette, Diaz manages to create on-screen magic with visual poetics that simply leave the viewers spellbound. Such aesthetic choice echoes the historical reflection the director aims to bring in his cinematic representation, adding a layer of timelessness to it. The visuals of the inconspicuous village, its beautiful but mysterious landscapes, the long-winding paths, and the seemingly haunted woods, are treated with a somber touch overtone that aligns with the unavoidable catastrophe in the story.

The film, serving as a prequel to Diaz’s earlier work, 'Evolution of a Filipino Family', is also heralded as an allegory of what might have been the beginning of existential terror in the Philippines triggered by systematic political violence. The director takes viewers through a veiled critique of the dictatorial Marcos regime.

While From What is Before is a movie of grand scale and epic duration, it never loses its grip on the personal, the human, and the emotional. It is a masterful exploration of faith, community, and political upheaval, enveloped in an atmosphere of creeping dread and capped with a powerful commentary on the Philippines' turbulent history.

Overall, From What is Before is a thought-provoking, emotionally resonant film that serves as a brilliant homage to an era of deep political and social turmoil in the history of the Philippines. It magnificently captures the spirit of the time and is a must-watch for those who appreciate profound, complex storytelling with a deep historical background.