“Filipinana,” a new drama directed by Rafael Manuel, offers a stylized exploration of class dynamics within an exclusive golf club near Manila. The film, running 1 hour and 40 minutes, is presented in both Filipino and English with subtitles and is currently playing in theaters.

Set against the backdrop of a meticulously maintained golf course, the story follows Isabel (Jorriyeah Abgoto), a tee-girl who navigates the tense and often fraught environment of her workplace. The film uses carefully composed visual tableaux to highlight the contrast between the club's polished surface and the underlying unease experienced by its staff. A recurring motif is the sound of golf clubs striking balls, which Isabel flinches at, underscoring her anxiety and vulnerability amidst the seemingly serene surroundings.

Through Isabel’s perspective, the narrative delves into the interactions between employees, seasoned staffers, and management, including the enigmatic club owner, Dr. Ignacio (Tearo Guzman). Another central character, Clara (Carmen Castellanos), a Filipino American and niece of one of the club’s managers, offers a parallel viewpoint, observing the club’s opulence and excess with a mixture of ambivalence and skepticism. Clara’s uncle’s attempts to involve her more deeply in the club’s leadership evoke themes of temptation and complicity.

The film employs a photographic style reminiscent of Wes Anderson, with symmetrical framing and a deliberate flatness in dialogue that underscores a sense of detachment and dark humor. Birdsong and soft Muzak juxtapose the coldness of the characters’ interactions, enhancing the uneasy atmosphere.

While “Filipinana” effectively captures the frustrations and contradictions of social stratification in contemporary Philippine society, some critics note that its message about wealth inequality and the indifference of the elite is conveyed in a manner that becomes repetitive over time. The film is an expanded adaptation of Manuel’s 2020 short of the same name, with some observers suggesting that the longer format dilutes the sharpness of the original premise.

Overall, “Filipinana” portrays the newcomer experience within a setting marked by privilege and power, offering a measured critique of resource disparity through its unsettling yet visually arresting narrative.