HalimWOW: Cecille Baun and the art of the Grotesque in Philippine Cinema

Abstract

This study aims to document the works of Cecille Baun, the pioneer of the makeup and prosthetics artistry in the country. Ms. Baun has not only worked on several classic Filipino films but also has been recognized for her works on award-winning international films such as Platoon (1986) and Apocalypse Now (1979). She is also responsible for bringing to life monsters not only from local folk tales but also comic book characters such as Zuma and Valentina, to name a few. Her works have ranged from the supernatural to the fantastical to the realistic, and in doing so, her works are instrumental in exploring the grotesque from the Filipino perspective as well as the imaging of Filipino fear. In this study, Bakhtin’s theory of the Grotesque will be used as a basis for the analysis of Baun’s works in order to identify the Carnivalesque, Grotesque Body, and Grotesque Reality in each of her creations and the films in which they are included. From personal interviews as well as previous features, Ms. Baun’s creative process and method will be documented and compiled into the study, while integrating the Grotesque and translating it into the Filipino perspective of the horror genre. In doing so, this study aims to not only serve as an archive on Ms. Baun but also serve as a basis for future documentations on other makeup, prosthetics, and special effects artists.