The religious and political rhetoric on teenage pregnancy is overwhelming, overshadowing the simple fact that two young people are caught making a decision that is not as simple as some make it out to be. There is none of the flying in and out of clinics or the unfeeling spirit that deserves to be assaulted with fetus pictures on social media, and dancing on guilt does little to take away from the reality of such a situation.
Jason Paul Laxaman’s short film “Lagyu” (Phillippines) explores this sensitive subject matter so well, leaving behind every screaming argument and to present a well thought out film that is can come across too preachy if you allow it to. Justin Yutuc and Marielle Arrozal play a young teenage couple who have decided to give their lost twin children a proper burial. The film does not get lost in a debate, choosing to focus on circumstances and the confusion of the young couple who find it necessary to name their children and discuss their emotions as they slowly, deliberately set out to carry out their task. It is clear that they are young, and their emotions are trying to grasp the reality of the situation, which makes this film far more palatable than a story or script whose intentions are solely to enforce a point rather than to create a dialogue.
The film is nicely shot, and the action never moves beyond its river setting. Both Justin Yutuc and Marielle Arrozal do an excellent job playing teenagers, capturing every rapidly changing emotion from angst to laughter with believability.
Although this film is titled “Lagyu”, it is listed as “Teen couple has sex! Girl gets pregnant!!” on different web sites.
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A film by Jason Paul Laxamana
Language: Kapampangan with English subtitles
Actors: Justin Yutuc and Marielle Arrozal
Asst. Directors: Tin Velasco, Jen Cimagala
Production Designer: Jansell Simbulan
Boom Operator: Reign Datu
Production Assistant: Glenn Carbungco
shot in Floridablanca, Pampanga
2012 Kamaru Productions
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