Storyline
Set in Philippine post-American colonialist era, where the American influence was still apparent, Ilusyon tells the story of Miguel, a young man from the countryside, who decides to visit his father, Pablo, a Modernist painter in Manila. Upon his arrival, he discovers that his father has decided to leave for the province but he opted to stay in Manila for a vacation. One day, he meets Stella, a nude model originally scheduled to pose for Miguel's father. Struck by her beauty, Miguel does the unthinkable - he pretends to be his father the painter. Developing a relationship based on a lie, things turn for the worse as Stella begets a strange skin disease that turns off Miguel. Surrounded by strange characters - a talking cow, a talkative mailman and a nosy landlady - Miguel is driven into a frenzy realization about beauty, lust, love and being true to oneself. An ambiguous ending underlines the surreal tone of the film.
Cast & Crew
Yul Servo
Miguel
Lead
Jennifer Lee
Tess
JC Parker
Stella
Ronnie Lazaro
Pablo
Bella Flores
Manang Karing
Bituin Escalante
Clara
Bodjie Pascua
Cow (voice)
Boots Anson-Roa
Doctor
What People Are Saying
1.0
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Paolo Villaluna's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
3.0
“Every frame feels alive. Ilusyon is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”
