On one hand, this Philippine film is in the tradition of Alejandro Jodorowsky with it's surreal story. One can only guess what was in the minds of the producers of what can be described as a sexploitaion film with horror aspects.
It certainly has definite undertones of Jodorowsky's anti-religion message. With the priest gone from the village, it is left to Tonya (Maria Isabel Lopez) to teach religion to the children. She describes the appendage between a mans legs as the devil's horns. No, she is not a lesbian, she is frequently consumed by hot desires for Simon (Maria Isabel Lopez), the local stud, and rubs salt between her legs to reduce this.
Religion plays a large part at the end also when the villagers get absolution for the horrific crimes they committed, as if it never happened.
While the villagers are lining up against Tonya for her anti-male message, Selda (Sarsi Emmanuelle) returns to the village after a five-year exile and things heat up tremendously. Nothing is what it seems, and the viewer will be rewarded for hanging in there as explanations come slowly.
While you are waiting for them to come, there is ample flesh to keep you interested. It seems that Simon is desired by a lot of women and he accommodates them. He is not a "wham, bam, thank you mam" type either. Sex scenes include considerable foreplay and last longer than any I have seen outside an x-rated performance. According to Tonya, the men work all day and want sex at night, but the passion of the women in this film for sex suggests they are willing partners.
PETA members may find the opening slaying and gutting of the water buffalo to be a bit much, and the slaying of the animal towards the end is equally graphic. There is a long gang-rape at the end that may also be disturbing.
The music and cinematography were exquisite, especially if you opt to watch the subtitled version, rather than the dubbed one.
It certainly has definite undertones of Jodorowsky's anti-religion message. With the priest gone from the village, it is left to Tonya (Maria Isabel Lopez) to teach religion to the children. She describes the appendage between a mans legs as the devil's horns. No, she is not a lesbian, she is frequently consumed by hot desires for Simon (Maria Isabel Lopez), the local stud, and rubs salt between her legs to reduce this.
Religion plays a large part at the end also when the villagers get absolution for the horrific crimes they committed, as if it never happened.
While the villagers are lining up against Tonya for her anti-male message, Selda (Sarsi Emmanuelle) returns to the village after a five-year exile and things heat up tremendously. Nothing is what it seems, and the viewer will be rewarded for hanging in there as explanations come slowly.
While you are waiting for them to come, there is ample flesh to keep you interested. It seems that Simon is desired by a lot of women and he accommodates them. He is not a "wham, bam, thank you mam" type either. Sex scenes include considerable foreplay and last longer than any I have seen outside an x-rated performance. According to Tonya, the men work all day and want sex at night, but the passion of the women in this film for sex suggests they are willing partners.
PETA members may find the opening slaying and gutting of the water buffalo to be a bit much, and the slaying of the animal towards the end is equally graphic. There is a long gang-rape at the end that may also be disturbing.
The music and cinematography were exquisite, especially if you opt to watch the subtitled version, rather than the dubbed one.
