By Ica Hontiveros-Cheng
I came in without having any prior knowledge about what the movie was about, I foolishly even thought that it was a horror-thriller because of the title ‘Monster’ – boy was I wrong. Turns out it is a drama hidden within a mystery told in various perspectives. You’ll be preoccupied trying to figure out the mystery that by the time everything unravels, you will be left with a broken heart and a broken spirit.
Before the movie was played. There was a short presscon of sorts where the film’s distributor Nathan Studios, represented by actresses, Lorna Tolentino, Sylvia Sanchez, Gela Atayde and Ria Atayde, addressed the guests which were made up of the echelons of the local film industry, directors, actors, actresses, celebrities. The Media, press and bloggers were also present, I was part of the latter.
Helmed by acclaimed director Hirokazu Kore-ada (Shoplifters) ‘‘Monster’ is Nathan Film’s first film to be distributed in the Philippines. The ladies of Nathan Studios then shared the story of why they chose the film ‘Monster’ to bring to the Philippines.
The fledgling distribution company traveled to the Cannes Film Festival and was intrigued by the long lines of people eager to see ‘Monster’ which won the Best Screenplay and Queer Palm awards. “Nakaka-durog po ng puso”. the ladies assured the audience, and they weren’t wrong. By the end of the film, my heart was indeed in pieces.
Praise must be given to the film’s cinematography and color grading, you really feel as if you are in a picturesque Japanese small town, with its sprawling views, part of being lulled into a seemingly ideal setting. Although, the thing with small towns is that rumors and gossip travels fast whether amongst adults or children.
Speaking of adults and children, allow me to briefly introduce you, oh dear reader, to the characters who you will come across in the film. Troubled eleven-year old Minato (Kurokawa Soya), his determined single mother Saori (Ando Sakura). We have Minato’s well-meaning, yet misunderstood teacher Mr. Hori (Nagayama Eita), and the school’s elderly principal (Tanaka Yuko) who even cleans the school’s floors on her own.
Even trying to explain or summarize the film, is a disservice to those who have not seen it yet. ‘Monster’ is the type of film that is best experienced as I have – without any prior knowledge of the film at all. Not even a summary, nothing. Go in blind, so you can fully experience the confusion (yes, that’s part of it), the unraveling of the mysteries (oh, you’re in for a surprise), and then the pain, sorrow, and pity that you will surely feel for the characters, like a crashing wave, impactful, then will leave you with much to think about, as it recedes back into the ocean.
But I won’t leave you without some sort of preparation, or expectation, I’m not that cruel. What I can tell you is that the story is told through varying perspectives. So you shouldn’t trust what you see, for you are seeing the events unfold through a biased perspective. What you are seeing may not necessarily be a fact, or the whole truth, there are a lot more things happening on the side, which the audience doesn’t see.
The film goes back to a specific event not once, and not twice, but this is crucial, so we can better understand the motives of the characters.
Be patient. You will be confused, you may be distracted, but hold on because everything will be revealed in the end. And trust me, the revelation is worth it, like the sun coming out after a terrible storm.
‘Monster’ is in cinemas October 11, 2023.