THE TWELVE
[Ang Labindalawa]

In utilizing mixed genres, “The Twelve” tells the story of the Apostles' reincarnations awaiting the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the century. Deftly structured into drinking scenes and musical vignettes, the film transports us into a tragicomic world of film noir, sci-fi, melodrama, adventure, satire, and others.

“The Twelve” is a pre-apocalyptic vision reminiscent in theme to Hal Hartley’s 2000 As Seen By film “The Book Of Life”. This feature-length genre-bending digital work features scenes of “The Apostles” drinking the night away while waiting for the Second Coming of Christ, interpolated with musical vignettes that evoke but take further the shattered narrative of “Breaking The Waves”. “The Twelve” is a deceptive post-modern work that explored themes of faith, redemption, and contemporary values, and balances satire, science fiction, and social critique.” -Lav Diaz

Best Feature, 14th Philippine Independent Film Festival, 2001

THE TWELVE (2000)
by Lourd De Veyra

The Twelve is his first major full-length effort and is a rather ambitious undertaking after a breathless series of short works. The number "12" holds a significance for Khavn, who is an avowed disciple of numerology, twelve being the base number of time and space in ancient astronomy and astrology, representing cosmic organization.

It is Beckett-ian in its basic premise (The director describes it as "Waiting for Godot" x 6): Twelve guys in barong tagalog are waiting for someone and are whiling away the time through rounds and rounds of liquor, their dialogue flowing from philosophically profound to pedestrian silliness to pure poetry especially towards the end. It is implied that the man they are waiting for is of cosmic, religious, earth-shaking import.

The narrative is interrupted by a series of what can be considered as 12 music videos: pure collision of image and song (original pop-rock ditties featuring Khavn himself on vocals and piano, with a backup band). Kind of like a retooled Waiting for Godot with MTV interruptions.

The Twelve is not for the impatient: it is an exercise in sensory abandon, economy and brevity not exactly Khavn’s favorite concepts here. There are gems of images: The opening sequence is pure, quietly unexpected strangeness: in a jeepney ride, passengers pay the driver objects like necklaces, guitar, shoes for their fare. The last passenger is a young man who tries to pay with real money. The driver refuses. The passenger cries and drips tears onto the palms of the contented driver.

Lyrics
MIDNIGHT CEREAL
Multiple Personality In order
songs of THE TWELVE
music and lyrics by Khavn De La Cruz

1. SONG OF THE PASSENGER: moving along
2. SONG OF THE POPSTAR: our song
3. SONG OF THE COWARD: but nowhere
4. SONG OF THE GARDENER:pour a little magic
5. SONG OF THE VIDEOCLERK: my favorite
6. SONG OF THE WARRIOR: we fight
7. SONG OF THE ADDICT: healthy addiction
8. SONG OF THE TEACHER: teach me teach
9. SONG OF THE BEAUTICIAN: can't you see
10. SONG OF THE HANDSOME:the handsomest man in the world
11. SONG OF THE FUGITIVE: not me
12. SONG OF THE HERMIT: in your room

NOTE: The lyrics were written first in one sitting (except for song#6 "we fight" which was written earlier and song#7 "healthy addiction" which was written later). Then the music was composed, also in one sitting (except for the 2 aforementioned songs which were written later). All songs were recorded by instruments in one sitting (first, piano & drums simultaneously. then bass. then voice. plus reggae percussion in song#4. and muted trumpet in song#10.). The musicians (except for the songwriter) without prior study of the songs (just one hearing that session) played and recorded on the spot with at most 2 takes. One of the album/band/songwriter's maxims is "There are no mistakes." by Miles Davis.

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