Synopsis
Salisihan is a 2024 Filipino drama which follows the intertwining relationships of humans and how desire, betrayal, and the core of domesticity is systematically dismembered. Anna and Dan, a couple devoid of children, live a disturbing lifestyle which becomes unbearable when a young Sophia, who is pregnant, crosses their path.
Zsara Tiblani plays Anna, with Dan played by Chester Grecia. Anna’s and Dan’s characters struggle emotionally with infertility, which leaves them struggling psychologically. Things get worse for the couple when a Sophie (Amabella De Leon) knocks at their door, professing to be Dan’s estranged son Gab’s (Ralph Engle) pregnant girlfriend. Sophie’s character comes with a whiplash as she resort to mending hidden desires and resolve past secrets.
Sophie blurs the boundaries set within the framework of the family as she comes into the family’s set up. Anna becomes increasingly jealous while in the form of a caretaker and Dan has to pay for the choices that he has made long ago. This leads to a powderkeg of tension that pushes and pushes until the family finally explodes under the strain of trust and loyalty.
Cast & Crew
Zsara Tiblani as Anna: Tiblani’s performance is exquisite, embodying the struggle of a woman desperately yearning to be a mother, while simultaneously enduring the collapse of her marriage. The nuances of her character were filled with pain and betrayal.
Chester Grecia as Dan: Grecia captures the essence of Dan, a man struggling to come to terms with his past. His attempts to make amends with his son lead to complicated and unexpected outcomes. He strikingly portrays a character struggling with the balancing act of obligation and desire.
Amabella De Leon as Sophie: Sophie’s character enters the storyline as an explosive turning point to the film’s conflict. De Leon captures Sophie as a blend of grace and strength, transforming her character into someone far more complex and multi-dimensional.
Ralph Engle as Gab: Gab serves a pivotal role to the film’s plot, despite not appearing on screen for long. Engle portrays the character, providing context to the family’s past and present strains, serving as the connective tissue to the family’s narrative.
Director & Writer: Iar Arondaing: Arondaing emphasizes the complexity of emotions intricate to human relationships and brings them to life on screen through powerful storytelling. His focus remains on the character’s psyche, heightening the tension of intimacy during scenes.
Critical reception
To this day, ‘Salisihan’ has received mixed reviews from the audience and critics. Some of the appreciate the movie for diving into complex emotional deep waters as well as the performances by the lead actors. Those who enjoy character-driven stories appreciate the portrayal of a family dealing with inner struggles.
On the other hand, some critique the film’s pacing and use of over the top elements. Some view the plot’s treatment of conflict through the lense of sexual tension and betrayal as lackluster in developing characters and themes deeper.
Conclusion
Salisihan examines unfulfilled desires in a family riddled with secrets, uncovering provocative insights. With its character-driven storytelling, the film reflects on the consequences of the past and the vulnerability of trust. Not every viewer will appreciate the film’s execution, but ‘Salisihan’ marks a noteworthy contribution to Philippine cinema for addressing difficult issues within the framework of family drama.
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