Produced by independent outfit Creative Futures, Rahyan Carlos’ new film, Pitong Tagpo, is a brisk exercise in storytelling via diversity. Structured as seven short stories, the film operates on the principle that everyone has a story to tell, that if one sufficiently scratches the surface, there is an interesting story behind the life of any single individual. In itself, this approach to filmmaking is not new. We’ve seen several Hollywood films mine this same structure of multiple stories. What sets Pitong Tagpo apart is the manner in which Rahyan has created his opus. Each story is done in one tuhog take, the longest (the Toga episode) clocking in at an amazing 19 minutes. This is the first time a film of this sort has been created here in the Philippines. Directors like Hitchcock and Altman have done it as an element in their films.
When you think about it, this means excessive rehearsing for the actors and a nightmare of planning and logistics. As Rahyan related, they averaged 12 to 13 takes per episode, and the moment he shouted “Action,” there was no going back. If towards the end of a take, some mistake would occur, whether lines of the actor, lighting, a stray passer-by or whatever, one would have to start from the very beginning as there was to be no daya (cheating) of the one take principle (like “swiping” to the left or right, or having the passer-by purposely pass in front of the camera). Diether Ocampo (star of the Ninoy episode) remarked that this was one of the most challenging acting he has ever had to face. And beyond this technical aspect, Rahyan, who also wrote the screenplay, had to deliver the goods in terms of storytelling, and making the film deliver lessons and values that will keep the audience emotionally involved.
The seven stories run the gamut of situations one faces in the course of everyday life. There are no superheroes or deus ex machina in the film. Rather, we’re presented issues and problems that we all face, given dramatic counterpoint and effectively transposed to film. Suka takes on teenage love and premarital sex with humor and compassion, as a lola (the wonderful Vangie Labalan) imparts her “story” to her apo (and with flashbacks in spite of the tuhog take). Wedding Ring is about the secrets and lies we produce with the people we are closest to, while Dad speaks of family dynamics and of things left unsaid ...until it’s too late. Star City is about the many faces of adultery and love, and Ninoy reeks of irony, of how good deeds can still be precursors for tragedy and disappointment. Mariel follows in the same vein, tracking a Bible-quoting daughter and her single mom and how the mother reacts to being told she has cancer. Toga is about dysfunctional family life and how history can repeat itself with lessons learned — even if painfully.
Besides Diether and Vangie, Cherry Pie Picache, Bembol Roco, Karylle, Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez are all part of the impressive cast that readily subscribed to direk Rahyan’s vision. To view the film, there are screenings set for Oct. 12 at SM Megamall, and Oct. 27, SM, The Block. On Nov. 2 in Dubai, a special screening has been set. Hopefully, it will be the start of the world taking notice of the film.