The Family That Eats Soil

I had no idea a film can be as disturbing as what I experienced in this film. The experience totally blew me away in a positive and a negative kind of way. It was overwhelming, scary and out of this freaggin’ world if you know what I mean.

Last Friday, my day was as innocent as innocent can be, went to school, attended class and I was about to go home. It was my friend Gerald’s birthday so I needed to be in Taguig around 7pm. But as usual, the sucker for spontaneous thingies that I am, I gave in to self-imposed pressure. Annamitz waved at me while calling out my name to let me know that she was still there. Ok, maybe a coffee break won’t hurt, I thought. Then we thought of going to Gateway, a new mall in Araneta. I was ok with it, I mean, it’s ok to be late for a drinking session with my high school friends right? It’s kind of expected of me to be fashionably late. I called Atoy to tell him and Abby that we’re going to the mall, but they’re not in UP anymore and they’re going to the gym. Amitz and I didn’t feel disheartened, we still wanted to go somewhere else. Then JD, Rojo, Bebang, Ed and Donald came, a group of friends that I have, I love them coz they’re so different from me yet, we understand each other. Talk about unity in diversity. They told us about this film, The Family that Eats Soil. It sounded interesting so they convinced us to go with them.

Like the cliché, the rest was history. It was like the launching of a couple of short films and a full-length film [not] directed by Khavn. Who is Khavn? I have no idea, but I think he rocks! The first two short films were entertaining but profound. Its mystery lies in its lightness, in what is isn’t saying. Then the third short film starred Marvin Agustin. His performance was acceptable and the theme… it’s harsh reality. Blood, sweat, cussing and poetry are a bittersweet combination. It was emotionally draining, my heart was beating really fast because it felt like it’s how it should beat. I must admit, it’s good.

Then the full length film rolled without warning. The bittersweet combination was still there and more. I have no other word but DISTURBING. It makes you doubt, it makes you feel the uncertainty lurking and enveloping you. When is it time to laugh? To cry? To be serious? To be a mere observer? To participate? I guess it’ll take some time before I totally forget what I felt. Kudos Khavn, whoever you are. I’m looking forward to my nightmares, if their cinematography’ll be like yours.