If, like me, you are only familiar with Dustin Celestino’s work through his last two Cinemalaya films, Duyan ng Magiting and Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan, then you’d think that his third entry to beanother serious, politically charged drama. But A.ni.mal is nothing like Celestino’s first two critically acclaimed Cinemalaya films. ‘A.ni.mal’ is a funny, dark comedy; a satire that explores one of the many faces of evil; breaking it down to its most mundane form in an almost farcical tragic comedy that strips away the pristine facades of people in the public eye.
The film centers on a leaked stolen cellphone recording of a Governor (Reymund Domingo) being intimate with his dog. The recording was captured by his goddaughter, Lily (Maxine Ignacio), who is the daughter of the mayor (Jojit Lorenzo). Lily, who imagines herself a young progressive, wants to protect the dog. After all, she volunteers at a pet shelter to prove she’s not just another nepo baby. But the video becomes a contentious topic. The Mayor wants it deleted but his wife, Ofel (Frances Makil-Ignacio), sees an opportunity to weaponize the secret and curry favour with the Governor’s wife, Grace (Bituin Escalante). The video’s mere existence and the subject matter of its content thrusts all the characters into a moral dilemma that becomes an exhibition of the worst of human nature.
From the onset, A.ni.mal is hilarious, often-times absurd, and a clever and biting in its social commentary. The characters’ political nature and their desperate need to maintain the importance of their public image and branding becomes the focal point of many of the comedic elements. How these characters present themselves to the public are very much the opposite of what lingers in their minds. Shot entirely on iPhone 17 Pro Max, Celestino and Director of Photography Kara Moreno are not afraid to get really up close into the actor’s faces, capturing the nuances of their expressions. A lot about who we are is hidden but when the camera gets that close, everything is revealed.
The film’s cinematography generated an almost raw, documentary-like effect. Through handheld camera work, natural lighting, and an intense proximity to the subjects, Celestino and Moreno layer the film with added meaning. The imagery evokes the language of mobile screens, cellphone recordings, dramas, memes, and other viral videos we watch on our mobile phones. It adds a texture of engagement with the material, meant to create a relationship with the audience. What they are seeing onscreen is akin to what they watch all day on their phones.
Witty and clever, A.ni.mal is propelled by spectacular performances, most notably from Maxine Ignacio, Bituin Escalante (whose terrifying third-act monologue is absolutely electrifying), and Anthony Falcon, who plays a veterinarian at the pet shelter, who serves as the film’s moral core, to a certain point. All the performances are solid here; another perfectly synergized ensemble in a Dustin Celestino film but certain characters do stand out.
At the very center of this is Ignacio’s Lily, who carries most of the outrage at the film’s beginning that pushes this narrative forward and when her character is later fully revealed, do we see the brilliance of Ignacio’s approach. Each of the actors understand the dramatic frequency needed to fully embody this hilarious satire, and they use it for full effect.
It is easily the most visually fluid work in Celestino’s filmography. The precise camerawork, thoughtful mise-en-scene, and the framing constantly amplifies and highlights the film’s themes. While just as politically charge as Duyan ng Magiting and Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan, this entry feels far more accessible.
My Rating: 5 Stars
A.ni.mal is now showing on the big screen. Check cinema showtimes near you and grab your tickets today.
This year, don’t miss Cinemalaya 22: Reel Reflections runs this August 6 to 18 at Red Carpet Cinemas (Shangri-La Plaza), Gateway Cineplex 18, and Ayala Malls Cinemas. Witness another stellar lineup of stories that will move you and showcase the brilliance of Philippine cinema. Follow the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Cinemalaya for updates.
