“Higop” is a Filipino film released in 2023 and it was directed by Topel Lee. As the title suggests, “Higop” in Tagalog refers to “sip” or “suction”. The film dilves deeper into themes such as love & desire and the complexities life presents to individuals, and so forth. As such, this film provides insight on how individuals may become indirectly influenced in more striking ways than what is anticipated.
Plot Overview:
The film revolves around Noah who is played by Josef Elizalde. Noah is deeply fixated on his ex-girlfriend Ysa who happens to work at a very normal yet busy milk tea shop. After much contemplation, Noah decides to reach out to Ysa after feeling a pull towards her. However, unbeknownst to Noah, the place that she works at does far more than serves drinks. Noah discovers that the tea shop provides more lewd services such as offering companionship, and Ysa being one of the prostitutes.
Character Profiles:
Noah: Torn between two worlds, that being the past and the present, forces Noah to reevaluate himself. In terms of moral strings, Noah’s one-sided desire for Ysa puts him through extremely challenging situations.
Ysa: While Noah and Ysa were a couple, Ysa was not as free-spirited. But now, she brings a highly nuanced and independent approach to life. Her employment at the milk tea shop amplifies her journey away from the traditional norms placed upon women in the society.
Supporting Characters: A motley of people is presented in the film for the purposes of fortifying the story. While characters like Mond (Fabio Ide), Rex (Lester Llansang), and Julie (Zsara Tiblani) are meant to give ample views on these major issues, they also provide context to the plot.
Thematic Focus and Critique
The interplay between desire, ethics, and social constructs is present throughout the narrative framework of the story Higop. The micro factors surrounding the milk tea shop portray even more macro issues along with the neglected sides of relationships. It forces the audience to deal with their preconceptions to appreciate the complexity of love and desire.
Film Technique
Noah and Ysa are brought to life using a combination of hand-held work and dramatic lighting by Director Topel Lee. Intensive and moderate lighting, together with close up shots, capture the true feelings of the scene. Also, the soundtrack is taken in pulses so it never dominates the visual, but instead guides the viewer’s eyes throughout the film.
Human Geography
The thematic framework of the movie “Higop” takes place within the modern Philippines, telling us about the changes that are taking place in the country. The plot tackles the juxtaposition of old principles with new dilemmas, thus making it appropriate for both domestic and international audience.
Critical Reception
With its bold storytelling and compelling performances, “Higop” attracted attention from critics at the time of its release. The film was acclaimed for its relentless take on sensitive issues and how it added to the discourse on love and morality in contemporary cinema.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Higop” embraces the ability of film to stir the mind and evoke feelings. The film employs a complex narrative and deep character development to engage the audience, allowing them to ponder the setting of certain interpersonal issues and the socially constructed framework that influences them.
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