Awaken (Mulat) is a Filipino independent film that was first released in 2014. It tells the story of a young woman, named Joy, who suffers from a psychological condition that has left her with traumatic hallucinations. The movie revolves around how her condition affects her life and the people around her. Loren Burgos plays the role of Joy, a young woman who has been through a lot in her life. After her father died and her mother left her, Joy is left to take care of her younger sister, Trisha (played by Bea Galvez). Her life takes a turn for the worse when she starts experiencing vivid hallucinations that leave her distraught and unable to function in her daily life. She seeks help from Dr. Adrian Benitez (played by Jake Cuenca), a psychiatrist who specializes in treating patients with mental health problems.
Dr. Benitez tries to get to the root of Joy's condition and begins to unravel the secrets of her past. As he manages to gain her trust, he learns that Joy was sexually abused by her stepfather, leading to her psychological condition. The sexual abuse, coupled with the fact that her mother abandoned her, has left Joy feeling isolated and traumatized.
As the movie progresses, Dr. Benitez helps Joy overcome her fear and face her traumatic memories, while also trying to protect her from the people who could be a danger to her. Ryan Eigenmann plays the role of Miguel, Joy's former boyfriend, who becomes obsessed with her and tries to harm her.
The movie is a visual masterpiece, with the cinematography and the visuals being beautifully crafted to create an atmosphere of tension and unease. The use of flashbacks and dream sequences adds to the intensity of Joy's trauma, making the audience empathize with her situation.
The film explores the issues surrounding mental health, sexual abuse, and trauma, and how it affects the victims and those around them. It highlights the importance of seeking professional help and support in times of mental distress and shows the severity of the consequences of being left without help.
Awaken is a film that grips the audience's attention from start to finish. It poses delicate questions about how society treats those suffering from mental health problems and is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring the complexity of mental trauma and how it affects people's lives. Loren Burgos, Jake Cuenca, and Ryan Eigenmann all deliver standout performances, making the movie an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Overall, Awaken is a brilliant film that combines excellent acting, storytelling, and cinematography to create a poignant and emotional story. It is powerful in its delivery of how mental health problems can have a drastic impact on people's lives and how those close to them can provide critical support. The film is a reminder that we all face problems, trauma, and challenges in our lives and it is important to be empathetic towards those who may be struggling, and be willing to offer help or support when needed.
Awaken is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.
