January 7, 2024
FILM: THE MISSING (Iti Mapukpukaw)
DIRECTED BY: CARL JOSEPH E. PAPA
STARRING: CARLO AQUINO, GIO GAHOL, DOLLY DE LEON
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
I decided to watch my screener of the Philippines’ official submission for the Best International Film Oscar, The Missing (Iti Mapukpukaw) while traveling across the U.S. Was it a coincidence or not that I chose to view it in Roswell, New Mexico? The city is, after all, the home of the all things UFO and alien related. (You know, not far from where a spaceship supposedly crashed in 1947?) The connection here is that The Missing centers on a mute young man who has been terrorized by an alien since childhood. But this isn’t just your average animated science fiction story rather it is a deeply moving and psychological reflection on trauma, love, and loyalty.
Eric is currently working in a computer lab with Carlo. Eric is depicted without an actual mouth and writes what he has to say on a wipe board. Fairly early on it becomes clear that Carlo has a strong affection for Eric. He’s strong and extremely kind-hearted. However, when Eric disappears and then suddenly returns without providing details as to where he’s been, the potential for the relationship seems uncertain. What Carlo doesn’t know is that the alien who wants Eric to be the savior for his faraway planet and has been seemingly confronting Eric for years. Eric’s mother has been aware of the missing periods in his life and tries to help him with Carlo’s assistance.
To say more would be divulging some key plot details. Needless to say, all that appears on screen is not a true representation of reality. The title itself reflects not only missing minutes, hours, and days, but also parts of Eric’s own physical and emotional self, as well as the missing details in the stories he tells himself and others. It’s a story about fighting the demons within and coming to terms with one’s past.
The animation style here is hyper realistic. Every detail of Eric’s apartment and workplace are present in finely detailed form. Faces, and especially eyes, are beautifully expressive. It is only when flashbacks are employed that the animation switches to a more primitive style, representing childhood and innocence. The alien scenes reflect a child’s view of monsters from another world that haunt his waking hours in vivid detail. It’s all quite a visual feast.
Carlo is voiced by Carlo Aquino who adds warmth to the character that will make viewers feel envious of the young man Eric is fortunate enough to have in his life. The great Dolly de Leon (from last year’s Triangle of Sadness) also provides a maternal strength that remains steadfast in her support of Eric and his plight.
The music score is sweet and moving. While the languages spoken veer interestingly between Filipino and English.
Where the film goes may be a surprise to some but it ultimately makes mature sense. There is a lot of love demonstrated in this film that is inspiring and beautiful to watch unfold. It’s about letting people come to understand themselves in their own manner without judgment or ridicule and of letting go of the past.
The Missing, which I ranked as one of the ten best films of 2023, has its international premiere today at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
FILM: THE MISSING (Iti Mapukpukaw)
DIRECTED BY: CARL JOSEPH E. PAPA
STARRING: CARLO AQUINO, GIO GAHOL, DOLLY DE LEON
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
I decided to watch my screener of the Philippines’ official submission for the Best International Film Oscar, The Missing (Iti Mapukpukaw) while traveling across the U.S. Was it a coincidence or not that I chose to view it in Roswell, New Mexico? The city is, after all, the home of the all things UFO and alien related. (You know, not far from where a spaceship supposedly crashed in 1947?) The connection here is that The Missing centers on a mute young man who has been terrorized by an alien since childhood. But this isn’t just your average animated science fiction story rather it is a deeply moving and psychological reflection on trauma, love, and loyalty.
Eric is currently working in a computer lab with Carlo. Eric is depicted without an actual mouth and writes what he has to say on a wipe board. Fairly early on it becomes clear that Carlo has a strong affection for Eric. He’s strong and extremely kind-hearted. However, when Eric disappears and then suddenly returns without providing details as to where he’s been, the potential for the relationship seems uncertain. What Carlo doesn’t know is that the alien who wants Eric to be the savior for his faraway planet and has been seemingly confronting Eric for years. Eric’s mother has been aware of the missing periods in his life and tries to help him with Carlo’s assistance.
To say more would be divulging some key plot details. Needless to say, all that appears on screen is not a true representation of reality. The title itself reflects not only missing minutes, hours, and days, but also parts of Eric’s own physical and emotional self, as well as the missing details in the stories he tells himself and others. It’s a story about fighting the demons within and coming to terms with one’s past.
The animation style here is hyper realistic. Every detail of Eric’s apartment and workplace are present in finely detailed form. Faces, and especially eyes, are beautifully expressive. It is only when flashbacks are employed that the animation switches to a more primitive style, representing childhood and innocence. The alien scenes reflect a child’s view of monsters from another world that haunt his waking hours in vivid detail. It’s all quite a visual feast.
Carlo is voiced by Carlo Aquino who adds warmth to the character that will make viewers feel envious of the young man Eric is fortunate enough to have in his life. The great Dolly de Leon (from last year’s Triangle of Sadness) also provides a maternal strength that remains steadfast in her support of Eric and his plight.
The music score is sweet and moving. While the languages spoken veer interestingly between Filipino and English.
Where the film goes may be a surprise to some but it ultimately makes mature sense. There is a lot of love demonstrated in this film that is inspiring and beautiful to watch unfold. It’s about letting people come to understand themselves in their own manner without judgment or ridicule and of letting go of the past.
The Missing, which I ranked as one of the ten best films of 2023, has its international premiere today at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.