Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Silip - Daughters of Eve Blu-ray Movie Review

Erotica in the style of Japanese "Pink" pornos.

Silip – Daughters of Eve is an erotic feature produced in the same style as Japanese “Pink” pornos. Executive produced by Wilson Tieng (He Who Is Without Sin, Never Ever Say Goodbye), Silip – Daughters of Eve screened at the Chicago Film Festival. The international film hails from the Philippines. The erotica stars Miss Philippines winner Maria Isabel Lopez. Distributed by Mondo Macabro.

The story of Silip – Daughters of Eve explores the sexual appetites and desires of three women living alongside the beaches of Ilocos Norte. The women struggle with their sexual desires – including their lesbianism (which is looked down upon by many in the community as being sinful). The sexual desires are controversial within the region – with religious persecution and repression.

Yet the appetite for sexual pleasure is overwhelming and the women can't resist each other's luscious lips. Silip – Daughters of Eve also has sequences exploring male sexuality (with an emphasis on the brutality of the men who wish to sleep with these women). Can the women find their inner sexual truths or be the victims of society?

The filmmaking of Silip – Daughters of Eve is controversial. The film explores graphic sexuality. Sequences depict sexual content that is as graphic as pornographic films are. The film has scenes showcasing sexual violence as well. These scenes might disturb some viewers. Viewers should be aware that the film is largely a pornographic film and the contents reflect the genre.

There is also a violent opening sequence showcasing animal cruelty. The opening scene was hard to stomach and difficult to watch. The scene shows a cattle as it is slaughtered, torn open, cut into pieces, and with its guts pulled out of the carcass. The scene made myself feel queasy – and likely will for all viewers who are sympathetic to animals.

Silip – Daughters of Eve explores the evils of men. One of the central components of the storyline is sexual repression in society and how some of the characters cast a shadow of judgment on lesbianism between the women. To some of the villagers, the women witches – to be burned at a stake. This is one way the film showcases evil and the ramifications of it going unchecked.

The music composed by Lutgardo Labad (Bamboo Flowers, Miracle of Love) isn't especially memorable or engaging to listen to. However, Labad does provide an adequate background score to erotic sequences. The music doesn't sound particularly sensual but instead seems to showcase a much more reserved tone.

Lust of the flesh.

The cinematography by Johnny Araojo (Naked Nights, Island of Desire) showcases the beauty of the cast. The framing of the photography does a solid job of highlighting the sexuality of the women in Silip – Daughters of Eve. Whether the women are undressing or engaging in sex, the photography highlights their sublime sensuality. The beauty of the outdoors is also well highlighted throughout.

The editing by Edgardo Vinarao (One Man Army, Battle Gear) is sufficient at highlighting all the essentials of an erotica. The editing never seems to overstay its welcome or cut short too early. Highlighting the passion of the sex scenes, Vinarao does a solid job as editor for this erotica.

The production design by Aped Santos (Sunday Night Fever, The Bicycle) is somewhat reserved in its appearance. The sets are rather sparse. There is a sense that the production had a lower budget and wasn't able to do as much as some bigger budget productions are able to carry out. The film has a handful of sets and these designs showcase a tribunal quality. The art direction by Gerry Pascual doesn't feel particularly inspired but it does seem to fit the erotic sequences well-enough.

Written by Ricardo Lee (Deliver Us, Justice), Silip – Daughters of Eve is nothing special in the script department. The dialogue is hallow and uninspired – lifeless. The plot-line is average-at-best. There is nothing spectacular to the script. The story is mostly used as an excuse to string-together the various sex scenes.

For erotica that isn't far removed from being classified as outright pornography, the script doesn't try to make the characters that memorable or engaging. The only interesting story element is the sub-text of sexual repression and the importance of being true to self. The rest is extraneous.

Directed by Elwood Perez (Island of Desire, Summer Love), Silip – Daughters of Eve is all about the sex. The naked body – the sensual touch – the erotic caress of lips and flesh. The film explores sex without romance. The emphasis is strictly on the sensuality of physicality: one body in unison with another. Perez doesn't try to find a unique artistic voice and instead focuses on simply showcasing nudity and sex (with some scenes more effective than others, such as the bathing scenes, showing women pouring water all over their bodies and breasts).

Silip - Daughters of Eve Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Mondo Macabro, Silip – Daughters of Eve is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. The feature-film has been restored from the original camera negative. The release preserves the fully uncut presentation of the feature-film. Colors are somewhat drab looking and are never as robust as one might hope to see. However, the print is in relatively good shape and has obviously benefited from receiving a scan sourced from the original negative. There is little in the way of print damage, debris, or scratches.

Silip - Daughters of Eve Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Tagalog in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. The original soundtrack preserves the Filipino audio. The surround sound track comes from a stereo core: a presentation with a reserved sounding surround sound design. The track doesn't have any sense of immersive LFE. The audio presentation is focused on the dialogue reproduction.

The audio is crisp throughout but it lacks the precise clarity of newer productions. The track is clear and doesn't have egregious hiss, crackle, or clicks. The English subtitles are sparse (given the sheer volume of sex in the feature-film) but are effective and well translated.

Silip - Daughters of Eve Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes new cover art designed by Justin Coffee. The art-work showcases the seductive tone of the erotica.

Audio Commentary by Andrew Leavold

Interview with Director Elwood Perez (HD, 18:46)

Memoirs of a Survivor: An Interview with Sarsi Emmanuelle (HD, 46:05)

Interview with Actress Maria Isabel Lopez (HD, 14:04)

Interview with Art Director Alfredo Santos (HD, 8:02)

More from Mondo Macabro Trailer Reel (SD, 13:50)

Silip - Daughters of Eve Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Silip – Daughters of Eve is pornographic erotica. The film has many sex-scenes with graphic nudity and sexual intercourse. The production is focused on the art of erotica and of showcasing the beauty of the women in the Philippines. The storyline is underwhelming and there are many areas in which the filmmaking is average-at-best. The main draw of the film is the sex: audiences should know what they're in for. The Blu-ray release features a new restoration from the original camera negative. Distributor Mondo Macabro has provided the release with a nice assortment of quality extras.