Lilia Cuntapay was born on January 3, 1935 in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Philippines. She also was a Filipino horror movie extra but has been dubbed the queen of Pinoy horror films for her more notable performances in “shake, rattle, and roll”. Unfortunately that is all she is known for and also how she is identified- so no other movies would try to hire her as an actress because of her identification as a horror film extra. Until Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay came out and she was more recognized as an actress instead of a horror movie bit player. Projects she was hired on was for most horror films
Six Degrees of Separation is a theory in which that all people are at least 6 connections or less away from knowing other people- which is sort of in tandem with the friend-of-a-friend chain. This is where a person states something about a friend from a friend which can be carried over from 6 people. It’s almost infinitesimal that one person would know another person that their friend knows. Much like having 2 completely different friendgroups in school and then finding out one of them knows the other from a different friendgroup.
Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay is one of those films that is formatted to look like a documentary- but is in fact a mockumentary; written by Antoinette Jadaone In which case is a film that isn’t as true to life as it may be. The film starts off with a bunch of interviews from other prolific film makers. The film itself begins typically with a setting point that Lilia got nominated for an award for best supporting actress. The story continues as she prepares for her award- if she were to win that is. While it is somewhat documentary-like with its camera movement and production the intention is to lead the viewer into thinking it is an actual life story or biography.
The mockumentary style of the film is benefitted by not having to be as true to life and most of the bits and pieces are what seem to be built on some kernel of truth. While some scenes can be comedic at times, it isn’t the best but at it but is most certainly a commendable attempt. What wasn’t expected was how moving Lilia can be. She can act more than just some spooky horror movie ghost or extra. The emotional scenes are moving, almost lifelike often times I find myself forgetting that this is supposed to be a mockumentary as opposed to a documentary. Leading to that, the scenes that moved me the most was when she was interviewed- Lilia’s eyes shined so brightly. She was happy to get some kind of recognition finally, but in the end all they showed was her name on the screen. I could totally feel the sadness that she was exhibiting, so much so that I also joined her in crying. Another scene that moved me so was when she called one of her children to say that she got approved. However the daughter took it differently, and instead thought that she got approved for a visa. She was so happy that she could get her mother to fly out and visit her. But Lilia stood silent, almost heart broken. Her excitement died down into a terrible sadness and despair. To further move the scene forward with her brilliant drama-like acting- she unplugs her telephone cord and is still and continues to be silent.
Scenes where there is some kind of mock award show where she picks up a trophy and is talking on a podium is one of those scenes I like to appreciate because of how much it is repeated but almost always different. I like to think that whenever a scene like that shows up, it’s like going inside her head, having a little peak at what is happening in her mind. In there she is shown to be confident, and speaks well without pausing but once it comes to the actual event where she is called onto the podium by someone else who had won but wanted her to be recognized, she is frozen- almost speechless. But nevertheless, that scene did make me tear up quite a bit. Her name as a Queen of Pinoy horror films precedes her as her acting is actually quite on point despite mostly only having been a bit player for ghosts or aswangs.
Ultimately, the film also showcases just how cruel the film industry can be by only giving glamour and fame to those who are deemed important. The movie itself showcases how the identified horror movie actress can be more than just what she is. Thanks to the director of the mockumentary, throughout the film thanks to the brilliant writing of the director, Lilia is able to convey and act out scenes with so much realism. If only she were given the chance to act in other films and not just be horror movie extras. She would be recognized as something more. It also shows that the queen of pinoy horror cinema has also worked with almost every other actor or actress before, hence the name six degrees of separation- this is due to the fact that she has had much history with the industry; almost 3 decades worth of experience. Overall- I think I’d give the movie an 8.5/10 because of how well written it is and how it made me feel despite being a mockumentary film.