You've got to say this: They work fast in The Philippines. Writer-director Yam Laranas - best known in these parts for atmospheric horror picture Sigaw - is still hard at work on his upcoming Patient X and already the first teaser has arrived. He reunites here with his Sigaw star Richard Gutierrez for a film built around the legendary aswang - a creature from Filipino folklore that hunts human prey and feeds on their entrails. This is very much a tease - loaded with images that must have just been shot in the past few days after they had to re-cast their lead actress for medical reasons - but a damn good one. Check it below the break.
Yam is one of the best visual directors in the Philippines. But his storytelling style leaves something to be desired. Sigaw is a fine example of Filipino directors trying to go head-to-head with J-Horror and eventually end up being just another of the small fishes in a pool of lousy thrillers. Just like the films of Topel Lee, Mike Tuviera, and so many others. It's just not enough. Trailers will almost always look good and interesting. But once you watch the whole movie you'll say... "Yun na yun? Yun Lang?" "That's all? That's it?".
But it's not all the directors' fault. You have to understand that the Philippine film world is full of executive producers and other "creative" people deciding the fate, twist&turns, and story of the whole movie. So something that should normally be gory and scare the crap out of people, will be watered down to be understood by the masses and just enough to scare children and at least surprise average adults with a little "Boo!". Blame it on the execs and the Philippine Roman Catholic church (and other useless religious groups like Iglesia Ni Kristo). Both are major causes of cuts and re-writes and god knows what else. (yes, powerful religious groups have a say in everything here, surprise, surprise.)
I was also very disappointed with Sigaw. Especially with the Keanu Reeves of the Philippines, Richard Gutierrez (sorry Keanu, you're actually way better than Richard). Totally devoid of any emotion and acting range. It's obvious that he gets movies because of his mother/manager's strong arming ways and his shallow good looks. Sorry to his legions of blind-devoted fans, but he is definitely not an actor that should be respected. He has no respect for his craft and the people he works with. Sorry, my opinion.
As a horror fan, i may watch this movie. But just because i want to see Yam's shots. But as for seeing this to get scared or be impressed, i think not. Films like these should just be sold in Quiapo (famous place in the Philippines where huge amounts of pirated DVDs are sold).