Overview
Hibang is a newly released Filipino film that touches both the psycho-thriller and the romantic drama genres. The film was released digitally and has received attention for the way in which it handles adult themes, including obsession, memory loss, as well as the concepts of desire and control. The film is in Tagalog and has a length of around one hundred and nine minutes. It combines the emotional elements of romantic drama with the tension and suspense of a psychological thriller.
Plot Summary
The plot of the film follows a wife in a nomadic marriage, issa, who is told by her husband, Tristan, that they have been married for five years. Slowly, as the film progresses, it is revealed that issa is suffering from amnesia. She is completely isolated in a remote home, and has absolutely no accounts of her former life, nor access to modern telecommunication devices.
Tristan tries to jog Issa’s memory using photos, videos, and some moments he claims to be intimately connected to their shared past. Issa, however, experiences unease and feels deep discomfort. There is an underlying peculiarity to the situation, and remnants of an alternate life, fragments of some trauma and fear, fleeting images, and something reminiscent of dread start to resurface.
While she grapples with her emotional and cognitive haze, another character is introduced, Mela, a woman from Issa’s purported past. Mela claims to be quite close to Issa and their interactions evoke something unexpected in Issa. There is a spark of curiosity, warmth, sift through an inkling of attraction. Whatever semblance of harmony Issa finds with Mela is overshadowed by Tristan’s increasingly erratic and possessive behavior. The spiral of emotional and physical collapse escalates until a volatile crossroads of truth forces Issa to face the inquiry of her identity, reality, trauma, and who she can rely on.
Main Characters and performance
Issa (Rica Gonzales): The protagonist, Issa is sketched with warmth, vulnerability, and depth. Rica Gonzales’s portrayal is sensitive and emotive, captivating the audience with the nuanced and intricate conflict of a woman attempting to reconstruct her past, tangled in a web of desire and manipulation.
Tristan (Ali Asistio): Tristan is the most captivating character in the movie because his personality is the most puzzling. He alternates between a caring husband to a controlling captor. As Ali Asistio takes on the role, he adds a level of intensity and dark charm to the character, making the audience question his motivations every second of the film.
Mela (Sahara Bernales): As Mela, Sahara Bernales is casted as a potential love interesst and a emotional pillar for Issa. Mela’s performance as Po’s love is caring, yet grounded and adds a touch of balance to the more aggressive nature of Tristan.
These performances are critical in carrying the narrative of the film. With the film’s plot being character centric, the audience spectators are are treated to a lot of silence, hightened silence, and the characters interactions to further the storyline.
As a film’s first touch, starting with visual direction can say a lot about the product itself. In this case, first director Sig Polon shows confidence in her debut, visually and emotionally provocative, a story that can accurately reflect the mood within a singular spot. Since most of the movie covers the director’s home, the residential location heightens the emotional tone of claustrophobic psychological confinement. To make Issa’s mental state more surreal and her surrounding environment uncertain, the director uses dream-like flashbacks, low light, and angled close up framing.
For most of the film, there is a prevailing sense of tension. The shift between reality and fantasy is dealt with in a very deliberate manner. The muted, earthly colors are a sign of the bleakness and emotional constriction that the character goes through.
Some critics may say that the film relies too heavily on sensual scenes as a means of maintaining viewer interest, at times sacrificing storyline pace for extended erotic moments. Still, these moments serve to further build emotional layers within the narrative and expose the fine line between intimacy and manipulation.
Themes and Symbolism
Memory and Identity
Issa’s amnesia goes beyond a mere plot element; it conveys the fragility of one’s existence. The film uses her condition to show how identity is shaped by memories, connections, and emotional bonds. Her gradual self-rediscovery is a powerful metaphor for awakening and defiance.
Manipulation and Control
Issa’s memories evoke questions of consent and emotional manipulation. By controlling her access to information and providing himself as the only source of “truth,” a psychological prison akin to real-world cases of coercive control and gaslighting is created.
Desire and Forbidden Attraction
The developing relationship between Issa and Mela deepens the narrative complexity. Their bond, laced with emotional and sexual undercurrents, brings forth the idea of suppressed desire. It also challenges conventional gender norms, showcasing the fluidity of attraction, especially in emotionally charged contexts.
Truth and Its Perception
During the film, audiences are prompted to consider the nature of reality. Are the memories that Issa views truly her own? Is Tristan honest, or is he weaving a tale to serve his interests? The tension around Issa’s history and Tristan’s motivations captivates the audience’s imagination right until the climax of the film.
Reception and Review
Both audiences and critics gave mixed reviews to Hibang. Upon praise, most critics noted its execution of the story’s ambition, its psychological intrigue, and the film’s compelling and bold centerpiece performance. Common praises included:
The performance of Rica Gonzales, and the particular portrayal of emotional and vulnerable confusion.
The tension and unease that flowed from Issa and Tristan’s relationship.
The film’s serious attempt to explore topics such as emotional abuse and sexual identity within a thriller framework.
Critiques pointed to:
The tendency to explain in detail certain aspects of the plot, paradoxically diminishing the mystery.
The film’s overall pacing, which sharply slows during the second act, as a result of repetitive scenes.
The presence of erotic elements that thematically, but at times, distract from the deeper emotional development of the film.
In any event, Hibang offered a distinct perspective into the Filipino thriller, and demonstrated the potential of director Sig Polon, and in that respect, the film achieved something of note.
Conclusion
Hibang is a psychologically driven thriller that explores memory, control, desire, and personal awakening. It’s emotionally charged and leaves a strong impact. Considering how relationships are often a blend of love and possession, the mystery hibang uncovers of a woman understanding herself and the people around her is deeply relatable.
Though the film may not have the cleanest execution, the sheer ambition of hibang, along with the performances and emotional tenor positions it as a landmark piece in the Philippines cinema’s ever growing and emerging landscape of sophisticated and mature genre-bending. If you are looking for character driven thrillers with deeper emotional layers and hibang offers a deeply resonant viewing experience.
Watch Free Movies on Fmovies