APAT DAPAT, DAPAT APAT (2007): A FILM CRITIQUE


What if I told you there exists a Filipino movie whose plot revolves around the challenge of bringing back home a dead body — one that is forced to look like well and alive? Commonly associated with death are grief and sadness, but this movie, as chaotic, humorous, and unserious as it seems, will instead make you cry out of laughter and its heartwarming scenes, and perhaps, haunt you a little bit!


Source: https://youtu.be/I77NZDEjkug

Synopsis
"Four women who swear to be friends forever become domestic helpers abroad. However, one of them is beaten to death by her employer. Keeping their promise to come home safe, sound, and alive, Brite, Gay, and Dolly decide to bring their dead friend Res home."

The Film’s Narrative

More than just a movie about friendship, Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat (2007), a film by the late Wenn V. Deramas (see his IMDb here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1212770/) also touches on other relevant issues including toxic extended family issues, breaking stereotypes about women, and financial crisis amongst Filipino families, but these are introduced in a very subtle way. The movie, being multilayered, brings so much to the table, but what’s interesting to consume (without the intent of sensationalizing the issue) is the narrative on labor exportation and the issue of vi*lence and ab*se towards Filipino domestic helpers — a socially relevant topic at the time of the movie release.

The narrative of the film is effective. Although the scenes were done in a very campy or humorous manner, the film’s inclusion of a “dark” theme saved the film from being just another conventional comedy film. [“Dark” theme supported by the mis-en-scène (spoiler alert!): puppetized corpse, one of the casts eating an aquarium or pet fish, the use of a home-based mortuary as a setting, ab*se and v*olence] 

Comedy, a slice of horror, and a bit of drama: The movie said, “layers!”

On another note, the scenes were done in a very humorous and relatable way (debatable) for the film is after all a comedy; the dark theme was only a layer which surprisingly made the storyline unconventionally interesting and subjectively scary. The interjection of dramatic scenes in between purely comedic acts also added layers to the film, making it remarkable of a Wenn Deramas film —  one that is camp at its core, yet leaving a heartfelt message in the end which usually revolves around family and friendship. With all these layers, Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat is indeed Direk Wenn’s new and unique film of his own; not patterned after the Tanging Ina Mo in 2002 which, undeniably was a total success (even reinstalled in two more sequels). Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat, on the other hand, does not necessarily need a new installation as it ended sufficiently strong with its original premise (i.e., “apat dapat, dapat apat” or the four must be together) being highlighted at the end of the film through a very witty delivery!

The “Dark” Theme in Question

Meanwhile, as it gives off certain “disturbing” feels (like how the Twitter community would recall their experience watching the film), the experiment of layering the movie with a "dark" theme eventually led to a disturbing plot, which some perceive as problematic but some also look at it as a bold move to touch on the issue of vi*lence and ab*se, hence an opportunity for the audience to ponder on the issue being raised.


[some tweets about Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat]

Let there be light, say the Commediennes

The added theme may be dark yet the film shows no dull moment with the very vibrant jokes and humor that are well-referenced from Pinoy pop culture and unique Filipino experiences. Add to this is the fact that these jokes were delivered by some of the well-known comediennes in the Philippines including Ruffa Mae Quinto, Candy Pangilinan, Pokwang, and Eugene Domingo. This composition is a jam pack — from Ruffa’s quirkiness and visual charm, Pokwang’s motherly image and her drama-fitting facial register, Eugene’s superb comedic timing, and Candy’s unexpectedly eerie expressions and acting, what darkness is there to endure when they lit up the movie so well!

The “Dapat” (should’ve) in the film

As a point for improvement, the humor in the t*orture scene and the montage of the kind of work Brite, Gay, Dolly, and Rez have in Hong Kong should have been toned down to sensitively and accurately portray the plight of the Filipino domestic helpers.

The Encapsulation

At the time of the movie's release in 2007, there was a 15.3% increase (from 1.52 million to 1.75 million) in the number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) (data from the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2007). In media, representation matters, and this huge population, in one way or another, was represented in a mainstream motion picture no less. Anak (2000) and Dubai (2005) were some of the earlier successful movies that attempted to represent OFWs and their very plight to provide a comfortable life for their families, and Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat, as it shies away from the conventional drama genre, has refreshingly (and unseriously) done the work as well.

The fact that this movie is being mainstreamed, opens up opportunities for a potential discourse on the need to revisit local policies and international agreements on labor trade that are necessary to protect and promote the rights and welfare of OFWs. In an interview with PEP PH (2007), Pokwang, one of the cast and an ex-OFW in Japan and Abu Dhabi, said the movie was dedicated to OFWs which she referred to as “mga bayaning buhay.”

Now, is the movie worth seeing? Without a doubt, yes! At the very least, it serves its purpose of making you laugh, because before all the added layers — the drama and its dark theme — it is first a comedy film; but to an extent, it will also make you ponder, cry, and feel disturbed.

Funny, heartwarming, and unexpectedly haunting, Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat (2007) is a must-watch. 9/10

——————————

*Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat (2007) is available for streaming on iWantTFC for free!

*See full article of PEP here: Dimaculangan, J. (2007, October 12). Behind the scenes of “Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat.” PEP.ph. https://www.pep.ph/guide/movies/1192/behind-the-scenes-of-apat-dapat-dapat-apat 

*See full PSA report here: 2007 Survey on Overseas Filipinos. (2008, August 30). Philippine Statistics Authority. https://psa.gov.ph/content/2007-survey-overseas-filipinos


*The use of twitter posts above was permitted by the original authors

*A film critique and final project by:

Renz Hezekiah L. Ponce
III - BS Management Economics - UP Baguio
MS 11 - Z, 1st Semester, A.Y. 2022-2023

Comments

Post a Comment