Cinemalaya XIX: ilumiNasyon

Cinemalaya International Film Festival

August 4 to 13, 2023

Philippine International Convention Center (PICC)
PICC Complex, Pasay, Metro Manila

Tanghalang Igancio B. Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater)
CCP Complex, Pasay, Metro Manila

Ayala Mall Manila Bay | Cinema 9
Trinoma | Cinema 1
Glorietta | Cinema 2
UP Town Center | Cinema 3

View Screening Schedule

“Cinemalaya Festival 19 aims to challenge filmmakers and audiences beyond just skimming the surface and take deep dives to illumine the depths that might inform, reshape, and challenge the way we think through and experience this work in progress called, the nation.”

– Chris Millado, Cinemalaya Festival Director, on this year’s theme

Full-Length Films

Ang Duyan ng Magiting

A collection of interwoven stories about life and violence in the Philippines, following a college professor, a university chancellor, a social worker, a police chief, two students, two mothers, and a lawyer. The film is an anthology of scenes among the protagonists, antagonists, and victims of war, terrorism, and politics in the country.

SYNOPSIS
Jose, a student, leaves his mother a letter to inform her that he’s leaving home to learn why people decide to join the underground movement. His decision reaches Michael, the chancellor of the university where he studies. Michael invites Jose’s professor, Victor, to his home to ask him if he had anything to do with Jose’s decision. They get into a heated argument and Victor’s principles and courage are put in question. After a few days, news reaches Victor that Jose is missing; rumored to have been executed by the renegade Police Chief, Gabriel Ventura. Victor sees this as an opportunity for him to prove his principles about nationalism and patriotism. He plots to murder Gabriel as a means to provide
justice for Jose.

as if it’s true

A fading social media influencer and a struggling musician exploit each other in a not-so-fake relationship.

SYNOPSIS
Gemma Stone is a social media influencer/content creator who’s burning out from trying to maintain the interest of her followers. She meets James, a struggling musician suffering from depression. They enter into a relationship with the mutual intent to capitalize on the other. Gemma uses James for content by presenting him as a perfect aspirational romantic partner, while James leeches off Gemma’s wealth and connections to further his own music career. But, as time passes, their intentions don’t pan out as they expect and a blur forms between real love and exploitation.

Bulawan nga Usa

After his beloved grandfather’s death, Makoy embarks on a soul-stirring expedition to a mystical mountain in search of the legendary golden deer that possesses the power to grant wishes. His journey takes an unexpected turn when he befriends a spirited young mountain boy who joins him in the quest for the mythical creature and self-discovery.

SYNOPSIS
Makoy is faced with the challenge of confronting life on his own after the death of his grandfather who had been his constant companion since his mother left. His grandfather’s stories about mountains, magical creatures, and the special golden deer bring him comfort in his grief.

Feeling lost and unwilling to live with his mother’s new family, Makoy embarks on a journey to the mountain, hoping to escape from his troubles and find the golden deer. During his quest, he meets Minggo, a spirited young boy who becomes fascinated by the tale of the golden deer. According to the legend, this deer appears at sunrise with its fur gleaming with a brilliant glow and it grants the finder a special wish. Intrigued by the story, Minggo encourages Makoy to seek the golden deer.

As they go on with their adventure, Makoy and Minggo form a deep bond and find solace in their friendship. Together they face unexpected events that will make them understand life even better.

Gitling

A young Filipina translator and a middle-aged Japanese director test the limits of language and discover the beauty of understanding during the unlikeliest of times: While creating subtitles for his film in a local Filipino language — Hiligaynon — as they race to finish before the film’s Festival Premiere in the city of Bacolod.

SYNOPSIS
Jamie just called off her engagement, free from a relationship wherein she was never truly understood by the one person who was supposed to.

Makoto ran away to the Philippines in order to escape the wife who cheated on him 2 years ago, a woman he still loves and has a family with, and the question of whether he wants to start again with her.

Their paths cross in the city of Bacolod as they work together and create Hiligaynon subtitles for Makoto’s film, finding in each other a friendship they never knew they needed.

Together, as they go through the motions of the festival and the subtitling process, they find solace in sweets and street food, grilled chicken, a made up language and the fact that they’ve found something in each other they never knew they craved for.

To be understood.

Huling Palabas

In the summer of 2001, 16-year-old Andoy searches for his long-lost father in the most unlikely of things — VHS tapes. His reality becomes mystified when two movielike characters appear in their small hometown.

SYNOPSIS
16-year-old Andoy loves watching movies on VHS. Along with his best friend Pido, he checks out video rental stores in town for the titles he wants to see on screen. But since he doesn’t have the money to rent any nor the TV and VHS player to watch them on, all he can do is look at the image on the VHS case and read through the synopsis. On days when he has a small amount to spare, he goes to the barrio’s VHS houses that screen different movie genres: action, horror, comedy, and drama. Watching movies has become Andoy’s habit, but this year is special as he is trying to watch as much as he can before he leaves for college.

In every movie that he watches, Andoy creates narratives that could help him in his search for an answer to the question that has always bothered him: Who is he and who is his father? However, the truth remains elusive, and his imaginings remain unrealized.

One day, two movielike characters appear in the barrio: Ariel, a hairdresser who lures young men with his inexplicable charm, and Isidro, a mysterious, long-haired man who owns a VCD player. It isn’t long until Andoy gets drawn into them.

Andoy finds himself entranced with Ariel and Isidro, and much like his obsession with the movies, he also grows fond of the two and begins to spend intimate time with them. As he gets entangled with their twisted lives, his reality becomes mystified, and for the first time, his search for his identity and for his long-lost father is within reach. But just like the movies, Andoy must decide whether to conclude his years-long search with a bang or with a whimper.

Iti Mapukpukaw

When an alien comes back to take him, a mouthless young man’s life twists and turns as his memories untangle.

SYNOPSIS
ERIC lives a rather normal life working as an animator, in the Philippines. One thing glaring about Eric though is, he does not have a mouth, literally. He has a nice but dirty apartment, a good paying job, and the guy (CARLO) that he likes seems to like him as well.

One day, he receives a call from his mother, ROSALINDA, asking him for a favor. Eric’s uncle, Rogelio, seems to be missing, and Rosalinda has the last known address. Eric agrees to check up on his uncle, only to find out that his uncle has been dead for days. Later, while still in shock, a familiar Alien arrives wanting to take Eric away from Earth.

ITI MAPUKPUKAW (The Missing) is Filipino-Ilocano rotoscope animated film that follows Eric’s life as it twists and turns after the arrival of the familiar alien, and the death of his uncle; both of which triggers Eric to remember his past and untangle his memories.

Maria

In the Philippines, where there is shrinking civic and democratic space; and a culture of impunity, three women named Maria are on the journey of seeking truth and fighting for justice.

SYNOPSIS
Maria is a common given name to a Filipina. In 2016, Duterte’s drug war left 26,000 to 30,000 families, fatherless or husbandless. The wives and mothers of the killed victims are left trying to meet both ends for their families.

Maria follows three women named Maria after the bloodbath of Duterte’s drug war. A staunch supporter turned victim, a wife & mother fighting for their rights, and a woman who became a beacon of hope.

Rookie

A tall, awkward teenager moves to a new town and is forced to join the volleyball team of her new all-girl Catholic high school. Everything changes when she falls for the volleyball team captain.

SYNOPSIS
The high school volleyball coach spots Ace on her first day at her new school and invites her to tryout for the volleyball team.

Ace initially feels out of place in the volleyball court because her heart belongs to basketball. Everything changes when she falls for the volleyball team captain, Jana, who dislikes her because she sees her as a threat.

Ace and Jana are both sent to an exclusive volleyball camp, where they uncover their feelings for another.

Ace eventually finds friendship and freedom with her teammates but a post-game incident involving the team physical therapist changes her world forever.

Rookie is an attempt at reclaiming the sports film genre through a female gaze while set against the backdrop of the highs and lows of women’s sports in a small town in the Philippines.

Tether

After having a one-night stand, an arrogant playboy and a timid young woman discover that any kind of pain they inflict on themselves can be felt simultaneously by the other person.

SYNOPSIS
After having a one-night stand, Eric and Kate discover that any kind of pain they inflict on themselves can be felt simultaneously by the other person. Slowly, with the balance of power upended, their relationship takes a dark turn.

Kate, after having grown numb to years of abuse and the pain of always being abandoned, learns to exalt authority for the first time and begins to wield her ability to keep Eric under her control. Eric, on the other hand, experiences the helplessness of having no control for the first time. He becomes a hostage to the affair for fear of the pain she could inflict on herself and, by extension, to him.

When This is All Over

A disconnected desperate forges a deal with a group of privileged misfits to plan a secret party at the height of a global pandemic, for a chance to escape his reality.

SYNOPSIS
Disconnected and desperate, The Guy wants to flee the country and reunite with his mother in the US to ease his loneliness. But with the global pandemic at its peak and confusing community quarantine protocols in place, he finds himself trapped in his condo against his will.

One day, he finds a group of well-connected, privileged misfit condo residents, who are itching to throw an illegal party with their friends as a form of release. When The Guy finds out that they have connections to the US Embassy, he offers to help them plan the event in exchange for his way out of this country.

As The Guy figures out how to throw their illegal gathering, he meets the kind-hearted condominium staff, Rosemarie, who makes him feel seen and at home. With Rosemarie holding the key to the success of the party, The Guy takes a big risk with his new unlikely friendship.

Short Films

Ang Kining Binalaybay kag Ambahanon ko para sa imo

The film follows the touching journey of a grandfather and a child as the former brings the latter to her new home.

SYNOPSIS
Finding himself already weak to take care of his granddaughter, Tay Edoy, a 70-year-old fisherman decides to give up 8-year-old Celyn to her other grandparents. The journey from the seaside to the farmland becomes the two’s final moment together before they separate ways.

Golden Bells

In 1979 a young Chinese-Filipino boy witnesses his father’s dream come true of opening a small clothing store in downtown Bacolod city and eventually realizes the need to maintain the family business for love and legacy.

SYNOPSIS
In 1979, the Yu family headed by Kim Cheong opens a new clothing store called “Jameson” at the heart of downtown Bacolod City. His wife Ester, five children: Venicio, James, Betty, Anson, and Dina support him in this new venture by managing everything together as a family.

Anson, the youngest son, witnesses the journey of his father and the transformation of Jameson throughout the years. He decides to learn everything that he can about the business not knowing the hardships that come in between.

After years of development, Kim Cheong decides to open a new store just beside Jameson and wants Anson to manage this new establishment called “Golden Bells” to further expand the family business. Kim Cheong and Anson begin a new journey as father and son to see if selling plasticware will work in the current market. Eventually, Anson faces new challenges and we see him grow as a man with lessons that only his father can teach.

Finally, as the years progress we see the Yu family in the present, what they have been through, and what has become of Jameson and Golden bells in the modern era of 2023.

Kokuryo: The Untold Story of Bb. Undas 2019

Two trans best friends tear through their town in search of the person who stole half of the cash prize they won in a miss gay competition.

SYNOPSIS
Kokuryo: The Untold Story of Bb. Undas 2019 is a squalid short story of a midnight gone wrong. The story is centered around two brave transgender women who find the resilience of their friendship tested and affirmed over the course of one chaotic midnight. From fighting against drunkard transphobes, blasting off the sponsor’s house and being summoned in a Barangay Hall; their rip-roaring odyssey leads them through a physical and emotional rollercoaster ride of a lifetime.

Makoko Sa Baybay

Noor and his younger brother go to the beach in hopes of finding the sea creature who killed their mother.

SYNOPSIS
Noor invites his younger brother Jolo to go to the beach. Noor teases him that someone found the sea monster who killed their mother, a story they both believe in. When they reach the beachfront, they sit on the sand facing the sea, waiting for the sun to set. The brothers have a conversation by the beach, waiting for the sea creature to appear. Suddenly, they vaguely see a magical ship from the horizon instead.

Maudi Nga Arapaap (Last Dream)

As a night shift nurse dumped one of her mother’s possessions reminiscent of an abusive treatment in her childhood, her actions attracted a Batibat’s wrath, which led to her worst nightmare.

SYNOPSIS
Clara, a night shift nurse, is constantly dreaming about her past about the abusive treatment of her mother during her childhood days. This which causes her to dump her mother’s most treasured possession; a small tree. She had no idea that the tree she had thrown was a batibat’s home. Clara also has no clue that doing these actions would cause the batibat to emerge and haunt her every time she sleeps paralyzed. With that, something unusual happens every time Clara sleeps. She also experiences sleep paralysis every time she wakes up. Clara’s dreams are becoming increasingly unusual until she sleeps and dreams again, which prompts her to decide not to sleep all day, causing her to hallucinate due to the lack of sleep.

Sibuyas Ni Perfecto (Perfecto’s Onion)

It’s a bright day ahead as Perfecto takes the long road to his friend’s house. But everyone it seems was going the other way.

SYNOPSIS
Perfecto or “Piktoy” gets a call from Sir Eddie, asking him to deliver spices and vegetables, his own farm harvest, for the latter’s supposed birthday party. On the long road to his friend’s house, Piktoy cheerfully shares his excitement to people he meets, but only to realize at the end of the day that he missed doing one very important thing.

Sota

A documentary film following the lives of two horse caretakers in San Lazaro Business and Leisure Park who struggle to make ends meet amidst the low-wage employment in the horse racing industry.

SYNOPSIS
Sota is an observational documentary film that follows the lives of Arnel Arguelles and Leonardo Yambao, horse caretakers at San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park in Carmona, Cavite. This documentary film presents their occupational welfare and living conditions while working in the horse gambling industry at Manila Jockey Club Inc.

Tong Adlaw Nga Nag-snow Sa Pinas

In a coastal barrio, two young boys, who are fond of snow and Samurai movies, are challenged to face a world of violence and abuse.

SYNOPSIS
In a coastal barrio, two boys, Makong and Renren, love playing with snow out of Styrofoam blocks and sword-fighting out of sticks they find on the shore. They spend most of their days playing, in their own little world. One day, Renren finds bruises in Makong’s neck and arms, surely evidence of abuse from his own parents. In his own way of telling his friend that he is not alone, knowing there’s only much that he can do, Renren does something unexpected.

For inquiries and tickets, call CCP Box Office at 8832-3704 or email customercare@culturalcenter.gov.ph. Visit the CCP website for more information. Follow official CCP and Cinemalaya social media accounts in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Tiktok for latest updates.