User Reviews

I can't say anything pero ba't black and white Yung film? Hindi bagay sa story. Hindi Naman nag add sa visual appeal. Wala talaga siyang justification. Pero great performance by Canlas. Medyo lacking Ang plot.

The story follows the 15 year old Kalil, who got diagnosed with HIV, and how he tries to live a normal life while everything around him seems to fall apart.

Sometimes you will get rewarded by just randomly picking a movie on Netflix, going in with zero expectations, and how happy I am I did.

The movie is beautifully shot in black and white, often shot through windows suggesting that what you see should not be seen. And as the end credits suggest, having HIV is a taboo in the Filipinos while the country has a high HIV rate especially under youth.

And while the subject matter is really heavy, the movie avoids the trap many Hollywood movies fall into: making it too dramatic. Instead, the movie just tells the story, allowing you as the audience feel how you want to feel about the events that unfold.

The main reason why this movie works so well is due to the actor who portrays Kalil. His performance is so subtle and convincing. Both the director and the actor create really subtle manners and gestures, telling the audience everything we need to know. I won't spoil what I am referring to. You just have to watch it and experience the movie.

This might be one of the bigger surprises for me in 2021 and I will keep looking out at what this actor and director will make in the future.

With a running time of 1 hour and 44 minutes, Kalel, 15 is a brutal coming-of-age film that narrates the story of how the 15-year old Kalel navigates his HV diagnosis under the backdrops of his dysfunctional family, teenage angst and romance, underground internet sex (although not directly depicted) and drugs.

In essence, the film is Nitszchean on its portrayal of human existence and Kalel's struggles against life's never-ending vicissitudes, which in the end transformed him into an ubermensch (a Superman) or a person who rises above conventional Christian morality and has established his own values that he can impose to others.

Structurally speaking, we see the transformation of Kalel's character in the following points in the film: 1) his HIV diagnosis, 2) bodily transformation as Kalel's body is slowly altered by HIV, 3) the betrayal of his friends and girlfriend, and 4) the disintegration of any semblance of family support which begins when his mother eloped with a lover, followed by the imprisonment of his sister due to drug charges, and completed by that penultimate scene in the Church which functions as the symbolic death of the Father or (Death of God) and signals the complete liberation and transformation of Kalel as the ubermensch or Superman which the film's final scene masterfully depicts. Also, embedded in Kalel's change of subjectivity is the build-up of rage which Lana controls with restraint that allowed him to successfully execute his penultimate scene.

Aside from the obvious word play in the use of the name Kalel, which is a portmanteau of Kal-El, the Kryptonian name of Superman, and Kalel's comic collection, Lana's Nietzschean motif can be seen on how he deals with themes like morality, will to power (ie. Kalel's silent resoluteness amidst diversity), death of God, human struggles, rage and transformation.

Also, throughout the film there is great sense of foreboding which Lana further exemplified through his black and white filter. Incidentally, this gives a sense of tragedy to the film. However, by employing a Nietzchean reading of the film, I argue that it should not be the case.

Kalel's transformation into an ubermensch (Superman) allows us to imagine a victorious albeit existentialist version of his story. For one, it is not hard to imagine that Kalel's HIV status is eventually controlled; and he is able to learn to hustle around the ways of the world to live a normal life. In short, this Nietzschean reading cracks open the film's emancipatory potential by subverting the audience, and by extension, the society's tragic reading of Kalel's story.

In other words, there is nothing to pity about Kalel, his HIV diagnosis and other struggles of his life; in the same manner that those who are diagnosed with HIV in real life also do not need our pity. Through this critical maneuver, the film, just like in its penultimate scene, spits right in the faces of those who view Kalel's life as tragedy by default upon learning his HIV diagnosis. HIV positive people are the real Superman. This is the film's ultimate critical stance directed to its viewers.

"Kalel, 15" offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of the challenges faced by a teenage boy grappling with an HIV diagnosis amidst a backdrop of family dysfunction and societal stigma. The film deftly explores a myriad of issues, from the stigma surrounding HIV to the complexities of Filipino youth culture and the consequences of growing up with a troubled parent.

From the opening scenes, the film captivates with its brilliant storytelling, exceptional acting, and striking cinematography. The use of black and white imagery perfectly captures the grittiness and darkness of the narrative, setting it apart from conventional cinema. It's a truly unique and captivating film that draws viewers in and keeps them engaged throughout.

At its core, "Kalel, 15" confronts the uncomfortable truths about HIV and its impact on individuals and communities. It shines a light on the carelessness of Filipino youth when it comes to sex and the urgent need for greater awareness and education. The film doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of living with HIV or the societal stigma that surrounds it, challenging viewers to confront their own preconceptions and biases.

The stark black and white imagery serves as a powerful metaphor for the suffocating environment in which Kalel finds himself. As the frame gradually shrinks, it symbolizes the world closing in around him, highlighting his sense of isolation and despair. Yet, amidst the darkness, Kalel continues to search for hope, even as those around him continue to let him down.

"Kalel, 15" is a film fueled by anger, but it's a productive anger that leads to insight and clarity. Through Kalel's story, the film exposes the hypocrisy and deficiencies of a society that refuses to acknowledge the reality of sex and its consequences. It's a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of a societal issue that demands attention and action.

In conclusion, "Kalel, 15" is a mind-blowing and thought-provoking film that tackles important and relevant themes with sensitivity and depth. It's a film that demands to be seen and discussed, offering a powerful commentary on the complexities of HIV, youth culture, and family dynamics in contemporary Filipino society.