by Kit Munsayac
Jose Enrique Tiglao explains his inspiration for making Metamorphosis. (Photo by Ethel Abulencia)
This take on a story rarely told in cinema provides fantastic performances and amazing technical production, despite the formulaic structure.
One of the entries of Cinema One Originals 2019, Metamorphosis became the center of attention due to its given X-rating from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) prior to its release. The director, Jose Enrique Tiglao, appealed to social media about the situation, and a downpour of support from people managed to get the film the much lower R-16.
Since then, the film received a positive reception from critics and audiences. It also won numerous awards, including Best Director for Tiglao, Best Actor for Gold Aceron, and Best Supporting Actress for Iana Bernardez. Metamorphosis has become a must-see for local audiences.
That is why there is no doubt that its first local screening was jam-packed with anticipating fans as UPB Bahaghari brought the film to Teatro Amianan at UP Baguio last February 27, 2020.
Bahaghari presented Metamorphosis as a feature film selection in celebration of Cinemakulay, an annual film festival devoted to pioneering LGBTQ+ cinema. After the film screening, they also invited Tiglao for a Q&A discussion.
The film centers around an intersex named Adam who is faced with discovering both his own body and identity as he transitions into adolescence. It is a milestone of itself being one of the first films to tackle intersexuality in mass media. Tiglao found the inspiration to make a film based on his one encounter with an intersex. Since then, he started pitching to various companies for the film to get made. During its 5-year development hell, it encountered several revisions before it became the final version that was made into a film.
At first glance, Metamorphosis provided a simple tale told with a precise, creative approach. However, with closer inspection, it has some rough patches. The film told the story in a linear narrative with several metaphors thrown in, paralleling Adam’s situation. Sometimes, the metaphors fit nicely into the story, but they overstay their welcome due to their overabundance. This is very obvious because the story follows a formulaic story structure. It definitely hasn’t helped that most of the exposition scenes are spoken out loud and that the plot is very rinse-and-repeat.
In contrast, the film makes up with its gorgeous cinematography and exquisite musical composition – aspects that helped fill the story’s void. Tey Clamor’s cinematography provides quite an interesting perspective on the environment. The way it also lingers on the characters’ physicality is very reminiscent of Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me by Your Name and A Bigger Splash.
The changing aspect ratio, although unnoticeable, provides an idea of how Adam perceives a situation. The dominating color on screen is yellow and violet (reminiscent of the intersex flag) which greatly contributes to the storytelling.
However, the standout aspect of the film is its scoring – the perfect combination of synth, harp, and piano that creeps in on every pivotal scene. The music composed by Divino Dayacap perfectly encapsulates the sensuality and emotion the story requires. Every time the score comes up, it definitely elevates the scene.
Despite not achieving a perfectly constructed narrative, Tiglao was still able to be sensitive without being sensational storytelling-wise. The restraint is there, by focusing not on Adam’s peculiarity but on how he lives just the same as other people despite his condition.
The actors’ performances became a testament to the film’s greatness. Aceron, as mentioned earlier, gives a rocky yet commanding performance as the great Adam. His parents, played by Ricky Davao and Yayo Aguila, give nuance and power in their roles. Bernardez's portrayal as Angel is a revelation, as she takes command in every scene she’s part in.
Overall, the film is rocky in its story structure. However, it definitely served its purpose by providing layered performances, creative execution, and a respectful portrayal of its sensitive theme. At the end of the day, when a film fulfilled its purpose, then pretty much nothing else matters. This is evident in Metamorphosis.
In the Q&A, Tiglao proudly dedicated his work to the intersex community, wishing that it would be an eye-opener to their condition. That is why he fought hard for the film when it fell into the predicament of not being seen. Films like Metamorphosis must be celebrated, as it dares to tell an exceptional tale unknown to many. No amount of suppression and censorship can prevent a voice that is long silenced.
Film still courtesy of ABS-CBN Films.