Cinemalaya 2018: 'Distance' is a Complicated Family Drama

Iza Calzado as Liza; Photo Credit: Cinemalaya

Director: Perci Intalan
Cast: Iza Calzado, Nonie Buencamino, Therese Malvar, Alessandra Malonzo

Five years after leaving her family without warning, Liza (Iza Calzado) receives a visit from her husband, Anton (Nonie Buencamino), asking her to return to him and their two children (Therese Malvar, Alessandra Malonzo).

There is so much to digest in Perci Intalan's family drama, Distance. On the surface, one would say that it's a simple take on an ordinary family, but the family involved is definitely not one. It's complicated, as each of the family member has different emotional needs, and Intalan slowly and surely  builds them up one by one throughout the film. His treatment is certainly intriguing, keeping questions unanswered until everything blows up, almost losing the audience's grip in the process but grabbing them back tighter and more assured. There's an affair, and there's almost no way to look back.

Thinking about it, this complicated family scenario gives everyone something interesting to discuss. The affair started a negative chain reaction to the family in subject, and yet it feels like there is no one to blame with the consequences and effects of their actions. Everyone in the family has emotional baggage and everything also seems valid because of the situation. It all really depends on how one would look at it. It's such a complicated story, and honestly plot-wise, it's a thing of beauty.

It's slow and quiet, relying mostly on stares and awkward gestures, but one can tell that a thunderous climax is looming, and all hell breaks lose once it did. Thanks to Therese Malvar's passionate scene-stealing performance who's deeply affected by her mother's liaison and sudden disappearance. It says a lot about her prowess especially with Nonie Buencamino and Iza Calzado's presence. The ensemble is all in their A-game effectively leveling up the film's caliber.

In the end, Distance effectively delivers a family situation where there's really no right or wrong. Albeit almost hopeless, one would root for the family to find their happiness within the four walls of their home. It continuously grows on me, as I ponder about it.