Reaction: Nailed (JH Acidera)

This movie was very disturbing. The beginning caught my attention as a song playing in the background of a white foggy screen portrayed a voice whaling in a falsetto type of tone, representing like a cry for help, a cry of agony, a cry for justice, or a cry to provide an outlet from stress. As if it were a dream or perhaps heaven.

A lady named Lucy told the story of her belief that God uses her as a tool to be nailed onto the cross as she has been doing it for many times. Hence, the title of the movie, “Nailed”. It was what she called her calling, a vision that she had or saw in her dreams from Santo Nino. Through her sacrifice and suffering, she is to represent what God has sacrificed and suffered for the people. She would represent the sake of the people, encouraging words like “love your neighbor….”, and possibly to grant peoples wish when they touch her feet. To many, she represented a human form of God, something that was tangible.

One part of the movie that I could not understand is when the guy was coming out from the dirt. I was trying to make a connection to the whole movie but was kind of lost in a way. Is he to represent like a circle of life where people are like seeds, then later bloom and grow, then as they age, slowly wilt and later be a part with the ground again to start a new life again? Or is it something where he represents individuals who are struggling with themselves? In the scenes it shows him kind of struggling to come out from the dirt but yet has a difficult time as if he was stuck or something. But eventually he is able to come out to live life.

Throughout the movie you see a lot of religious rituals and practices such as all souls day. This movie clearly shows the religious aspects of Filipinos. It shows how religion is a big part of may peoples lives. It is an outlet for many where they could find peace and ask for forgiveness or to ask for help or better health. Whatever it maybe, many people turn to their religious senses for comfort.

It is amazing to see that people such as Lucy practice the way they do. As it was stated earlier, maybe they are the chosen one’s. Why certain people? How does he choose? What qualifies one to be the chosen one? Are there fake chose one’s, people who just think so? To pray to God for other’s is amazing, but to be able to sacrifice your body and be nailed, that is another whole realm. I respect these people and I know many do to as they seek to these people for whatever reason it may be. Without them, how would God be able to attend to the population in both in need and whom are thankful for what he has done.

Religion plays a big part in people’s lives, sometimes contributing to many decisions in life and their consciousness. To be a tool of God is a privilege and to be shared to community to bring the greater good to everyone.