Golf Course Brutality: 'Filipiñana' Unveils Philippine Social Rot

Filipiñana, directed by Rafael Manuel, recently made its European debut at the Berlin International Film Festival, offering a stark portrayal of Philippine society. The film uses the seemingly tranquil environment of a posh country club outside Manila as a backdrop to expose underlying brutality and deep-seated social imbalances.

The narrative centers on Isabel, a 17-year-old from the rural north, newly employed as a 'tee girl.' Her role involves attending to wealthy male golfers, a position that allows her to observe the luxurious lifestyles of the club's members and the subservient interactions with staff.

Manuel crafts 'Filipiñana' with a deliberate formalist approach, employing aspect ratio, framing, and sound design to underscore themes of power and complicity. The film's visual language, characterized by a blend of beauty and menace, reflects the complex power dynamics rooted in the Philippines' colonial past and ongoing social stratification.

The film critiques the country's political stasis, drawing parallels between the inaction inherent in golf and the passive stewardship of the nation's elites. Manuel suggests that this inaction contributes to a cycle of violence and a collective amnesia, particularly in light of the Marcos family's return to power less than 40 years after their ousting.

Time itself feels suspended in 'Filipiñana,' with a deliberate aesthetic of 'nostalgic futurism' obscuring temporal markers. This timeless quality emphasizes that the oppressive structures Isabel faces are ongoing conditions, not mere historical remnants.

Isabel's journey is depicted not as linear progress but as a path toward political consciousness. As she uncovers more about the club and its figures, suppressed memories from her past resurface, prompting a confrontation with both personal and collective amnesia. Manuel frames this awakening as the essential first step toward inspiring action and change.