How
can you have a mystery in a small town, where everyone knows everything about everybody?
Those are the sentiments of many Matangtubig residents, who are alarmed and
confused by the sensational crime garnering the sleepy burg unwanted national
media attention. There are unusually weird things afoot in the surrounding
woods, but everyone can relate to the crass and craven behavior of politicians
and the media in Jet Leyco’s Town in a
Lake (trailer
here),
which screens during the 2017 New York Asian Film Festival.
Someone
knows something, but they are not talking—probably for good reason. On the night
in question, teen Nathalie is raped and murdered, while her friend Melody
flees into the rainforest and has yet to be seen since. It is a shocking crime
for a hamlet, whose regional mayor boasts of a “zero percent crime rate.” Of
course, those claims look rather dubious in light of the violent crimes under
investigation. There is also a rather disturbing subsequent incident of cattle
mutilation. It is understandable why a father like Homil would be concerned,
but he has other reasons to be fearful. Melody’s snooping brother may have
gotten an eyeful of the sinister going’s on as well.
Wisely,
NYAFF is premiering the slightly longer Philippine cut of Town, rather than the international version that played down the
uncanny business in the woods. Frankly, Town
needs more of that supernatural strangeness, because without it is mostly an unremarkable
small-town mystery without it. Granted, the portrayal of Mayor Tessie and Benny
Ricarte, a scandal-chasing TV reporter from Manila are sharp enough to draw
blood. Ricardo also has a terrific exit that perhaps didn’t make the
international cut, given its nature.
Amante
Pulido is a compelling, salt-of-the-earth presence as Homil and Joel Saracho brings
unexpected dimensions to the film as the dedicated but previously scandal-tarred
police chief Wilfredo Tamayo. Lance Raymundo also deserves his due as the
flamboyantly sleazy Ricarte. However, the dark, humid environment of Matangtubig
largely upstages everyone.
