How to Disappear Completely

  • 80'
  • Philippines
  • 2013
In the opening shot, the camera glides over the roofs of the village: a patchwork of corrugated iron, all jumbled up, oppressive. No wonder the protagonist of How to Disappear Completely wants to get out of here. Not because she suffers from her mother's reciting of the Bible or from her drunken, layabout father, but simply because she can imagine another world. And hence she thinks of an escape.
The experimental films of Raya Martin have occasionally been described as ‘visual LSD trips’. Here, he sticks to a more realistic style, yet nevertheless allows dream and reality to mingle effortlessly. He juxtaposes horror à la The Blair Witch Project with documentary-like scenes. The colourful totality is held together by a fantastic electro soundscape, both light and alarming at the same time.
Who eventually disappears or whether anybody really does so is not the point. Martin is not a storyteller. He opens up emotional and cognitive registers.


  • 80'
  • Philippines
  • 2013
Director
Raya Martin
Country of production
Philippines
Year
2013
Festival Edition
IFFR 2014
Length
80'
Medium
DCP
Language
Filipino
Producers
Arleen Cuevas, Armi Cacanindin
Production Company
Cinematografica Phillipines
Sales
Cinematografica Phillipines
Screenplay
Raya Martin
Cinematography
Albert Banzon, J.A. Tadena, Maisa Demetillo
Editor
Lawrence Ang
Production Design
Donald Camon
Sound Design
Corinne San Jose
Music
Eyedress
Cast
Ness Roque, Shamaine Buencamino
Local Distributor
Hubert Bals Fund
Website
http://cinematografica.org
Director
Raya Martin
Country of production
Philippines
Year
2013
Festival Edition
IFFR 2014
Length
80'
Medium
DCP
Language
Filipino
Producers
Arleen Cuevas, Armi Cacanindin
Production Company
Cinematografica Phillipines
Sales
Cinematografica Phillipines
Screenplay
Raya Martin
Cinematography
Albert Banzon, J.A. Tadena, Maisa Demetillo
Editor
Lawrence Ang
Production Design
Donald Camon
Sound Design
Corinne San Jose
Music
Eyedress
Cast
Ness Roque, Shamaine Buencamino
Local Distributor
Hubert Bals Fund
Website
http://cinematografica.org