"Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan" [2025]

(a full-length film of Cinemalaya 2025)

Film

Dolly de Leon, Jojit Lorenzo,

Zanjoe Marudo, Mylene Dizon

Directed & Written by: Dustin Celestino

SINE METU

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RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 5

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NO SPOILERS

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SYNOPSIS:

Four Filipinos cope with life after a painful political defeat. Kiko, a political strategist, questions the purpose of his lifelong struggle. Bea, a history professor, attempts to teach a past her country would rather forget. David, a disillusioned speechwriter, becomes entrapped by the very lies he tries to challenge. Mela, an election lawyer, confronts family secrets she has long avoided. Each one searches for purpose as truths fade, histories blur, and memory itself becomes an act of defiance. [Source: Cinemalaya-Hydra]

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STORY:

I really loved this film! The way the director wove analogies from Greek mythology into the struggles Filipinos face today was brilliant. From the very first scene, it felt like pure art—rich with symbolism and tinged with an unsettling, almost eerie quality.

The inspiration behind the story was clear and unmistakable, but what stood out was how it never felt forced or lazy. Every line, every exchange, and every theme was delivered with such thoughtfulness and intention.

What makes the film so powerful is how timely it is. It speaks directly to the present, making it deeply relatable. Viewers can easily see themselves reflected in the struggles of at least one of the characters.

I commend how the story was divided into chapters, each one shedding light not only on the characters’ personalities, morals but also their beliefs. The film dares to challenge our principles, question our ideals, and even confront our own choices. The narrative was beautifully constructed—it may begin with loss and despair, but it ultimately leads to hope and light.

Another strength of the film is how the characters were written with so many layers. They weren’t painted simply as “good” or “bad.” Instead, they lived in shades of gray—complex, flawed, and human—which again pushes us to reflect on our own positions and beliefs.

Any audience member who watched the film can clearly see the inspiration of the story. It was very evident but the way it was delivered was not purposeful. Every line, every conversation, every topic that was brought up with such brilliance.

SYMBOLISM:

As much as I’d love to unpack all the layers of symbolism and the questions that made me pause and reflect, I don’t want to spoil anything — this is a film best experienced firsthand. Instead, I’ll share a few ideas and topics that truly caught my attention and stayed with me long after watching. These may not be exact lines, but they capture the essence of what the film made me think about:

• The challenge of teaching history when people have grown indifferent.

• The idea that it is so easy for Filipinos to forget major societal issues after a short period of time.

• The quiet frustration toward those who made careless political choices.

• How patriotism can sometimes become a privilege, even a fascination, among those who are comfortable enough to romanticize it.

• The use of "Hydra" as a metaphor for the endless cycle of disinformation.

• The "wall" as a symbol of barrier that blocks the path towards salvation. There are those brave enough to try breaking it, only to fail as others simply watched. When those who dared are gone, all that remains are the scars and dents they left behind — quiet reminders of resistance. But their struggle shouldn’t mark an ending; it should be the reason we keep fighting, continuing the battle they began.

• The reminder that unseen or unacknowledged truths are still truths.

• The tension between holding onto one’s principles and maintaining personal relationships.

• The tendency to wait for the “right leader” or the “perfect revolution” before taking action.

• The contrast between being optimistic and genuinely seeking justice.

• The unsettling notion that Filipinos only honor heroes once they’re gone, just make songs about them or the revolution that had happened but lacks concrete action is a kind of patriotic necrophilia.

Each of these ideas struck me differently, but together they painted a haunting reflection of how collective memory, truth, and identity intertwine in our society.

CHARACTERS:

I think no one will question the brilliance and acting chops of the four lead actors — Zanjoe Marudo, Mylene Dizon, Jojit Lorenzo, and the internationally acclaimed Dolly de Leon. Each one gave a superb performance, portraying characters with deep internal conflicts that felt raw and painfully real.

I read in an article that director Dustin Celestino worked closely with these four leads, guiding them in shaping their characters. You can clearly see that collaboration onscreen — each performance feels organic, layered, and unique, delivered with a kind of creativity that only makes sense once you experience the film yourself.

All of them were believable and magnificent. But if I had to choose one who slightly stood out, it would be Dolly de Leon. Her portrayal of a woman burdened by lifelong injustice was deeply affecting. I loved the moments when her character tried to restrain herself, yet her anger slip through in subtle ways which something that’s incredibly hard to do as an actor.

In a broader sense, these four characters beautifully represent different types of voters after losing in an election:

• There’s someone who, after fighting hard for what they believe in, chooses silence and simply moves on.

• There’s someone who remains angry and restless, refusing to give up and questioning others who seem indifferent.

• There’s someone guided by principles but torn when love and ideology collide.

• And there’s someone who, unfortunately, inherits a connection to the nation’s painful past.

I appreciated their nuances — the pauses, the silences, the stares. Every movement means something. Honestly, I have no notes, just pure admiration for their greatness.

CINEMATOGRAPHY:

I can’t stress enough how smart and intentional this film is. Let’s start with how it looks.

The lighting and color palette were perfectly delivered. Visuals were dark and somber, symbolizing loss, despair, and the weight of unspoken truths. The play between light and shadow reflected each character’s moral struggle and the choices they faced.

The film’s gray tone was particularly striking. In some interpretations, gray is considered a “dead” color — it evokes decay, lifelessness, and the erosion of hope. It was the perfect visual metaphor for a society slowly forgetting.

But toward the end, the tone shifts — the film becomes brighter, lighter, suggesting hope and the courage to keep fighting for truth.

The camera angles were unique and purposeful. I loved the close-ups and partial framing of faces, creating a mysterious tension that made me wonder, “Now, what are you really thinking?” It kept me on edge, uncertain of what would happen next.

When it came to camera movement, I admired the use of slow motion. It gave the sense of time stretching — not just narratively, but emotionally. It captured how long these characters have been carrying their burdens, and how moral decisions can feel suspended in time. The slow motion also mirrored the inner conflict of choosing between good and evil, action and silence.

TECHNICAL:

Even on the technical side, the film was artfully crafted. Just what have been previously mentioned, how the story was divided into sections referencing Greek mythology was a genius move, with each segment presented through different visual and stylistic choices. It really felt deliberate and poetic.

The sound design also stood out. The music and ambient sounds complemented the visuals, especially during the slow-motion scenes. It heightened the tension, leaving the audience uncertain about what the characters would do next — a sonic representation of the chaos inside their minds.

LESSONS:

In a country where corruption repeats itself and injustice seems endless, it’s easy to feel hopeless, tired, and disillusioned. We often wonder if the principles we fight for are still worth it. When change feels stagnant, indifference becomes tempting and just choosing to hide behind the phrase, “It is what it is” will always be an easy route.

But this film reminds us that if we stop now, what happens to the future of this country?

If the next generation sees us giving up so easily, what message are we passing on to them?

The fight for truth and principle is something we owe to them. We might not see the fruits of our struggle now, but we keep pressing on because someday, it will no longer be us doing the pushing. Others will continue the fight we began.

CONCLUSION:

What makes this film truly powerful is how it delivers its message of political awareness with such mastery and symbolism. The subtlety of the performances, the precision of the visuals, and the thoughtfulness in every detail show that nothing in this movie was done “just because.” Everything had a meaning.

By the time you reach this part of my blog, I hope you understand why I urge you to watch it. "Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan" deserves to be seen — and be discussed in classrooms. It’s not just a film; it’s a mirror of our times.

#HabangNilalamonNgHydraAngKasaysayan #FilipinoCinema #DustinCelestinoFilm #Cinemalaya2025 #PinoyFilmReview #CinemaAsResistance #FilipinoStorytelling #ArtAndActivism #MoviesThatMatter #NeverForgetHistory #CinemalayaLayag #IndependentFilms #CCPCinemalaya2025 #CCPCinemalayaBenteUno #LayagSaAlonHanginAtUnos

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4-y4RXYAlo