Must See: Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay

Queen of Horror

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I saw the screening of this film last night at UP Film Center. Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay is a film that immediately caught my attention (from seeing the Cinema One Originals tv ads), just by its title alone.

This indie film, according to its director, Antoinette Jadaone, is 95% scripted and loosely based on the life of Ms. Lilia Cuntapay. It shows the aspirations and struggles of a "bit player" more commonly known as "extras" in the local tv and movie industry.

So who the heck is Lilia Cuntapay? There was a scene in the movie where the director asked several pinoys (celebs included) the same question, and all of them didnt recognize who lilia cuntapay was up until the director showed them her picture. I am probably one of the few pinoys who can answer the question immediately. I can still remember calling and naming some classmates "Lilia Cuntapay" back in college. It basically means they look scary. (yep, im a bully back then!)

For the benefit of those who don't know, Lilia Cuntapay is a prominent fixture in local horror films. Her roles are either a witch, a zombie, an "aswang", or anything that can be really scary. I first saw her in the movie "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" where she played as a "Yaya" and she scared the hell out of me. Since then she became the standard peg of a monster/aswang, or witch, in my mind.

The film "Six Degrees of Separation From Lilia Cuntapay" is an homage to the bit players and extras who are struggling to be recognized in the local film industry. Lilia Cuntapay is perfect for the story having been in the industry for years but still remains to be unrecognized. Though in my opinion, the fact that people can recognize her just by looking at her photo is a proof that Lilia Cuntapay is an iconic image in the  horror movies.

This film can make you believe in every scene and in every dialogue, that for me is a proof that a movie is really good . I felt the sadness and frustration after the lead character cried when her expected interview for her Best Supporting Actress nomination was not aired on tv. I believed in every lines delivered by the characters, it's almost as if it was a reality.

The film received several awards at the recent Cinema One Originals Awards Night including the Best Actress Award for Lilia Cuntapay (finally!). For that award, i therefore conclude that Lilia Cuntapay is the real "Horror Queen".

This movie is worth watching and i hope it will be shown to more cinemas nationwide.

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