Kalel, 15 (2019)

When Elijah Canlas became popular to the BL world as he played the role of Cairo in Gameboys. Did a couple of search regarding his background. I was intrigued when he won the Best Actor in 17th Asian Film Festival (Rome, Italy). After months and months of searching, finally and fortunately, Netflix got the right to air it.

STORY
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It is actually more than an HIV story. It tackles not only the prevalence in the Philippines, but also other like it shows how normal having an extra-marital affair is, getting pregnant without being married, substance abused, making ends meet. And Kalel's father. These social issues are more rampant in the poorer sector of the country, but it ain't exclusive to the sector.

This film shows a slice of each to the social issues mentioned above. Raw, unadulterated, rustic way by the use of black and white color scheme will give you a sense of how grim, dark, challenging a person needs to go through every single day. It able to show and concentrate on Kalel, both the protagonist and antagonist, as he make his way through a teen life full of hardships and uncertainty. Why is he the antagonist? You can clearly see how conflicted he is, how inconsistent magnified by having the disease. Until in the end, he succumb what he needs to do to survive.

The film depicts from Kalel's point of view. No heartaches and heartbreaks. Just pure struggle. I heard and know similar stories, but with different circumstances, all with different outcomes.

Make no mistake, this ain't your HIV advocacy film per se. It shows one of the many faces of a Person Living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Philippines is like. The struggle, the stigma, having a sense of dignity, of what left of it, for having the disease. Raw, unadulterated, rustic.

ACTOR
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Elijah as KALEL - definitely hold his own here despite being supported by 2 of the most decorated and veteran in PH entertainment industry. He definitely deserved to win the Best Actor.

MUSIC
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Is there any? Or am I just focused on the story too much? I guess it doesn't need to as Kalel is not the music type of guy, it will be off to include one. There is no heartbreaking scene as well.

REWATCH VALUE
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I am the type of guy that rarely do a rewatch, not unless it am dying of boredom. Even I'm in that mood, this won't be the top of my list to rewatch.

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A movie worth watching and reflecting.

The movie was whole black and white and it didn’t bother me. The cinematic experience was unique and it tackles the HIV issue well as it showed the real perspective in a creative way for us to bring attention and be serious about this topic. This movie does not romanticized as it showed sensitive content but I hope this film will change the point of view of HIV, poverty and discrimination etc. In the Philippines.

I like the movie. The way the actors portrayed their character is great and honest. It truly showed the harsh reality where a lot of people are experiencing these days. The movie does not only focus with the HIV issue but also to irresponsible parents, poverty, toxic family, politics, life choices, pedophile and drugs. A lot more actually, the small details in the movie speaks a lot that connects the life of Kalel. Knowing that he’s just 15 years old, pains me. Realizing how many young people are experiencing the similar way are just hard to take in. This should bring major awareness for us to open about this topic and to help prevent, not just the HIV but the other issues as well, through the suffering of Kalel which is even not his fault but the toxic relationship of one’s society we live in.

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