The films of John Torres have a highly personal style that results from a very unique, improvisational way of working. Here, he remains faithful to his improvisational approach with fragments of reality, but there is obviously more history, more drama and a certain level of convoluted strangeness. Lukas the Strange has a light and disruptive tone. Those who know Torres’ previous work will be surprised that special digital effects have now been given a role in his normally so documentary-like reality. Lukas the Strange is a story of an awkward teenager coming to grips with his own initiation into manhood just when there is a movie shoot in his neighbourhood. The story opens several nights before, when Lukas is told that he has a tikbalang (half-horse, half man) for a father. His father, Mang Basilio, disappears from his life the next day. Soon enough, Lukas’ body reddens, and he wonders if he really is half-beast. The village is in a frenzy when the film crew arrives. Everyone tries to have a part in it. The film is told by Lukas’ friend, Lorena, who is fascinated by this strange boy who thinks he is a tikbalang.
