Movie Review: Raya Martin's "Smaller and Smaller Circles" (2017)

Hard-hitting social commentary and solid performances makes Raya Martin's period crime thriller a must-see.

Based on the best-selling novel by F.H. Batacan, this crime thriller follows two Jesuit priests,  Father Gus Saenz (Nonie Buencamino) and Father Jerome Lucero (Sid Lucero) as they help in the investigation of a serial killer in Payatas, who leaves the bodies of his victims- young boys in particular- in the dump. The film, directed by Raya Martin, also Carla Humphries, Ricky Davao, Bembol Roco and Christopher De Leon. I have mentioned before in a previous post that Smaller and Smaller Circles is one of my most anticipated Filipino movies of the year. It's been months, almost a year, since I've heard about this project and I've been looking forward to seeing it in the big screen. Fortunately, the long wait is finally over and it was worth it. Raya Martin's adaptation of F.H. Batacan's novel (considered as the Philippines' first crime thriller novel) is slickly made and highly entertaining.

Screenshots from the trailer

The film is set in 1997 and opens with a voice-over from the killer, expressing his thoughts to the audience. This sets up the over-all tone of the film. It is obviously not your typical murder mystery that focuses on who is the killer. Instead, it's focused on finding out why the killer is doing all of this. What caused him to do these inhumane acts. After this, we follow Father Gus Saenz (Nonie Buencamino) who is currently trying to pin down a fellow priest who have been reported to be molesting children under the latter's parish. Unfortunately, this bastard is friends with Cardinal Meneses (in a wicked performance by Ricky Davao) who helps the son-of-a-bitch escape prosecution by transferring him to another parish (to continue his reign of terror). National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Lastimosa (Bembol Roco) and  contacts Father Saenz and asks for his expertise in  forensics anthropologiy to help to solve a series of murders, much to the dismay of lower-level agent Ben Arcinas (Raffy Tejada). Children are being murdered, their their faces, hearts and genitals removed with surgical precision, removing everything that makes them human, and then dumped like garbage. Together with his colleague Father Jerome Lucero (Sid Lucero) a clinical psychologist, they start picking up and putting the pieces of the puzzle behind the murders, while the body count continues to rise.

Though set in the 1990's, the film never relies on nostalgia. One wouldn't even notice that it is a period piece until you see one character using a beeper and an old-style chat session (plus cellphones were a luxury that time so only one character is seen using it). Instead, it relies on building up the mood of the film. From it's dark, dreary locations such as the dumpsite where the bodies are found and the narrow maze of alleyways of the squatter's residences, the film's look echoes a depressing time in our country's history. The gorgeously shot cinematography by J.A. Tadena, adds up to the bleak, somber atmosphere of the film. The film is also unapologetic when it comes to it's display of gore. The sadistic killings of the perpetrator is not shown in full detail, but the results of these murders are shown in their full glory. The desecrated bodies of the young boys are shown in detail, from their missing genitalia to their faceless heads. Some may find it downright repulsive, but for a gorehound like me, it is truly satisfying. With all this, Raya Martin successfully crafted a neo-noir world ripped right out of the novel's pages.

The film's powerful cast is one of the reasons why this movie is very entertaining to watch. Ricky Davao plays Cardinal Meneses with so much wickedness. He is a perfect match to Bembol Roco's Lastimosa, a man of authority who's only goal is to find the truth in all this evil around him. Their heated argument is probably one of my favorite part from the film. The same goes for agent Ben Arcinas (played by Raffy Tejada). his portrayal is so effective that you'll definitely feel the hate to his character, to the point that you would start conjuring plans in your head to bring him down yourself. There were some noteworthy appearances from TJ Trinidad, Gladys Reyes and Tessie Tomas that were so memorable and fun to watch (especially Reyes' character). Carla Humphries was such a delight to watch as journalist Joanna Bonifacio, a strong-willed, spirited young woman who was schooled in Paris. It seems like she is having a renaissance in her career: first is her short yet memorable portrayal in the Cinema One Originals horror flick Nay, and now this. I'm really looking forward to her next projects. Of course, Nonie Buencamino who plays Father Gus Saenz and Sid Lucero playing Father Jerome Lucero both deserve a round of applause for their outstanding performances in this movie. Nonie Buencamino was especially good whenever he is arguing with Ricky Davao and Carla Humphries' characters. His interactions with these two perfectly shows his control over his character. He can be clever and intimidating, but also has a soft spot.

But what makes Smaller and Smaller Circles one of the most important Filipino films of the year is it's hard-hitting social commentary on the corruption and incompetence of our government, the sexual abuse and abuse of power among the clergy and the poverty and injustice of the indigent. The film tackles them layer by layer and even though it doesn't offer much solution to these issues, the film can make it's audience think about them even after the movie has ended.

Raya Martin's Smaller and Smaller Circles is a film that needs to be seen by everyone. It's the type of film that sticks with you. One that lingers inside your head, long after the credits roll. Something that leaves a lasting impact even after you leave the cinema.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰  of 5

Smaller and Smaller Circles (2017) directed by Raya Martin, starring Nonie Buencamino, Sid Lucero, Carla Humphries, Ricky Davao, Bembol Roco and Christopher De Leon

Top 10 Most Anticipated Filipino Films of 2017

This has been a great year for Filipino films. We witnessed some indie films rocked it's way into our cinemas, from the chilling tale of Ilawod to the heartbreaking hugot film I'm Drunk, I Love You. We also saw the theatrical release of some of 2016's best indie movies, from Sakaling hindi Makarating, Baka Bukas and one of the year's most talked-about movie 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten. But the year is still long and young and we are yet to see some good Filipino films to hit the country's screens. So here is my list of my top 10 most Anticipated Filipino films of 2017.

Special Mentions: Riding in Tandem (Jason abalos, Khalil Ramos), Can't Help Falling In Love (Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla) because KathNiel is KathNiel, duh?, Dear Future Husband (Sarah Geronimo, John Lloyd Cruz) I kinda miss their team-up, Ang Larawan, a movie adaptation of the classic Filipino musical, and hopefully, Erik Matti's new adaptation of Darna (TBA).

Luck At First Sight.

Director Dan Villegas (English Only Please, Walang Forever and How To Be Yours) is back in the romance genre with this romantic comedy film starring Jericho Rosales and Bela Padilla as two luckless people: one with love, the other with money. But when the they met each other, they discover that they're one another's life charm - they bring the other good luck. Soon, they become close to each other, slowly falling in love. But what happens when the luck runs out?
Produced by Viva films, the film hits theaters this summer 2017.

Kasunduan.

A thriller-drama directed by Lawrence Fajardo, it stars Ejay Falcon, Joey Marquez, Joem Bascon, Beauty Gonzales with Sarah Carlos and Khalil Ramos. The film is currently in post-production. Although there isn't enough details about the film, I'm pretty excited to see it for one reason: the Khalil Ramos.

Ghost Bride.

Horror master Chito S. Rono is back this year with Ghost Bride, an upcoming Filipino horror film starring Kim Chiu, Matteo Guidicelli and JC Santos. Helmed by Roño and produced by Star Cinema, it marks Kim's third movie with director Roño. It revolves around the Chinese tradition Ghost marriage wherein one or both parties are deceased. The film also features a powerful cast, led by Jerome Ponce, Rio Locsin, Ina Raymundo, Mon Confiado, and Alice Dixson.

Kita Kita.

Who would have thought that one day, Empoy can give you the kilig feels? Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, director of award-winning films “Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita” and “Lorna” brings us this unexpected romantic comedy starring Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy as Lea and Tonyo, two Filipinos living in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Lea is a Velo taxi tour guide. She suffers an accident which leads to her being affected by temporary blindness. Her blindness, if not cured in a few weeks, could become permanent. Tonyo is also a Filipino who lives right across from Lea. Lea tries her best to ignore him at first because she is scared of not seeing him. But Tonyo is persistent and is determined to be her friend, using humor and kindness to make a connection. With every effort that he makes the two gradually become closer. In an ironic way, becoming blind allows Lea to see the true character of Tonyo.
The film is produced by Piolo Pascual, Director Joyce Bernal, Erickson Raymundo and Suzanne Shayne Sarte.

Bloody Crayons.

Finally. This long-overdue horror slasher based on the book of the same name by Wattpad writer Josh Argonza was announced last April 2015 originally headlined by Jane Oineza, Joshua Garcia and Manolo Pedrosa. The film went under multiple revisions, the original director (Quark Henares) leaving the project, and Star Cinema replacing some cast members (who have already finished shooting some scenes). It was even rumored to be part of the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival.
It follows a group of graduating students who visits an island as a location for their short film project. Unknown to them, death has followed them to the island, as they start to get picked off one by one. Featuring Jane Oineza in her first starring role, it also stars Janella Salvador, Elmo Magalona, Sofia Andres, Diego Loyzaga, Ronnie Alonte, Maris Racal, Yves Flores and Empoy Marquez, directed by Topel Lee and is scheduled to be released this 2017.

Instalado.

A Scifi Filipino film? Impossible? Well, for director Jason Paul Laxamana, everything's possible. From his acclaimed films like Babagwa, Magkakabaung, the outragious dark comedy Mercury Is Mine and my favorite of them all, the sweet, humorous, and heartbreaking coming-of-age 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten, he have wowed audiences with his unique, weird, out-of-this-world stories. This time, he is taking the challenge of entering the scifi genre with Instalado, an official entry to the 2017 ToFarm Film Festival. Set in a farming village a few years into the future, it follows Victor (played by McCoy de Leon in his first starring role) who lives in a time when the dominant form of education is through installation, an overnight process that allows bodies of knowledge to be installed directly on people’s brains using technology owned by corporations. Unfortunately, Victor, like many others in the agricultural town of Porac, cannot afford the sky-high cost of installation, which he believes is the key to pull his family out of poverty. To raise money for installation, Victor temporarily abandons farming and works as the household helper of a wealthy childhood friend who has become extremely successful after undergoing a series of installations. Also starring Francis Magundayao and Jun-Jun Quintana.

Nabubulok (The Decay)

Of all the Cinemalaya entries this year, this one definitely got me excited. Not only because of it's intriguing story but also because of it's cast. It features 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten's Ana Capri and Jameson Blake among it's leads. Jameson is one of my favorite actors right now after his incredible stint in 2 Cool, earning him the Best Supporting Actor award in last year's Cinema One Originals film festival. Nabubulok (The Decay) follows a missing person's case: Luna is missing. Jason Harper, her American husband, is alleged of killing her. As Jason intends to leave the country, circumstances conspire to avert his plan. Also starring Ms. Gina Alajar, JC Santos and Billy Ray Gallion, directed by Sonny Calvento and an official entry to the Cinemalaya 2017.

Actor Bill Ray Gallion with Jameson Blake.

Bliss.

Imagine director Jerrold Tarog, Iza Calzado and Ian Veneracion in one bloody, mind-boggling, fucked up thriller. Yes, dreams do come true as the Heneral Luna director unleashes the beast in his latest film, Bliss. The film follows the story of Jane Ciego, who started acting at a young age. She becomes a film producer but gets into an accident – and later, Jane begins to hear mysterious sounds and struggles with people who may want to harm her. The film is already making some noise outside the country as Iza Calzado won the Yakushi Pearl Award (Best Performer) for her role in Bliss, at the Osaka Film Festival 2017 on Saturday, March 11. Directed by Jerrold Tarog, it stars Ian Veneracion, TJ Trinidad, Adrienne Vergara, and Michael de Mesa and is soon to hit cinemas later this year.

Citizen Jake.

The highly anticipated comeback movie of director Mike De Leon, the genius behind classic Filipino films like Itim, Batch '81, Sister Stella L and Kisapmata is undeniably one film to watch out for. Aside from the fact that this is his first film after 18 years, another reason to be excited for this project is his choice of lead actor. Director Mike De Leon found his Citizen Jake in real life news reporter Atom Araullo, who will be playing a fictional journalist in this political crime story.

Smaller and Smaller Circles.

Adapted from the mystery novel by Filipino novelist F. H. Batacan (touted as the first Filipino crime novel), it stars veteran actor Nonie Buencamino as Fr. Augusto Saenz, the Jesuit forensic anthropologist; Sid Lucero as his right-hand man, Fr. Jerome Lucero; and Carla Humphries as reporter Joanna Bonifacio. The film follows the investivation of the deaths of six boys, all of whom were found in Quezon City's Payatas dump site, where children often pick through garbage to provide for their families. The victims' faces, hearts, and genitals were removed, and Saenz, along with his friend and protégé, Fr. Jerome Lucero, a clinical psychologist, are sure the killer has a very specific agenda. As the priests work to identify the boys and their killer, they must wade through the political muck surrounding a case that no one wants publicized, in a country where centralized crime statistics are unheard of and resources are scarce.  Produced by Tuko Film Productions and Buchi Boy Entertainment, it is directed by Raya Martin and is soon to hit cinemas later this year.

So how about you? What's your most anticipated Filipino film this 2017? Share us your thoughts and leave a comment down below!